Photo: Easton Town Center

Many of us are looking for inventive ways to keep ourselves in the holiday spirit, while still keeping money in our pockets. Here, I have just a few picks for free, family-friendly holiday things to do during the next three weekends in Columbus.

Eleventh Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Easton Town Center
November 20

Start off the holiday season tomorrow by bringing the family over to Easton Town Center for their Eleventh Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony. The whole center comes alive and starts off the shopping season with the lighting of their huge 50 foot tree, complete with an appearance by Santa. Carolers will be strolling around the sparkling streets of the center and the stores will be abuzz with sales.

Grandview Holiday Hop
Grandview Avenue, between 1st and 5th
November 28

Grandview Avenue comes alive with holiday spirit the Saturday after Thanksgiving. You can start by seeing a live reindeer exhibit at Arlington Bank and end by getting a free picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Tri-Village Studios. There are free horse-drawn sleigh rides for all ages up and down the Avenue throughout the night. Smell the holiday scents at The Candle Lab and check out other holiday crafts and treats along the way.

Village Lights
German Village
December 6

Experience the holiday charm of German Village during the holidays. The village is truly beautiful, with luminaries lit throughout the streets and park, and local businesses come out in full force this night with samples, holiday treats and specials. There is also an appearance by Santa, live entertainment and music to get you in the holiday spirit.

These events are sure to get you excited for the season, and you can search for even more here . Enjoy!

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching on May 10. Wondering what to do? Here’s a unique event I’ll be experiencing with my mom: Mother May I in German Village on Saturday, May 9.

Mother May I is a series of events at participating German Village shops and restaurants. Take your mom on a stroll through the very walkable village and stop in various picturesque establishments to try unique treats and get special Mother’s Day themed gifts.

Most shops and restaurants will be open with specials between noon and 6 p.m.; some are open longer. Here are just a few of the stops that will make Mom happy:

Bakery Gingham
189 Thurman Ave
8 a.m. - 8 p.m
Sample miniature cupcakes called “Minis for Moms.” With a $5 purchase (easy to do with all the tasty cuppies), get a Polaroid “CupTake” souvenir picture with your mom.

The Book Loft of German Village

The Book Loft
631 South Third Street
10 a.m.-midnight
Peruse 32 rooms and a porch full of books in this old-fashioned bookshop. With any book purchase you’ll also receive a special Mother’s Day gift book.

Caterina Ltd.
571 South Third Street
11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Check out a Caterina Ltd. sidewalk sale. If your mother is one of the first 25 moms in, she’ll get a free chocolate-orange lip balm from France.

Pistacia Vera
541 South Third Street
10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Delight in some absolutely wonderful desserts, and enjoy live music from 1 p.m-3 p.m. Don’t forget to sign up for a chance to win a "Sweet Afternoon" of dessert and coffee with three friends.

T. David Collection
897 S.Third St.
11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Enjoy complimentary iced herbal tea while you browse the beautiful handmade jewelry. If your mom sees something she likes, you’re in luck - many items will marked 10-50% off for this day,

Barcelona Restaurant & Bar
263 East Whittier St
Opens at 5 p.m.
After you’ve explored the unique shops across the village, stop in Barcelona for dinner and tapas. Plus, your mom will get a gift.

This year, I’ve decided to make it easy on myself. No cooking, no cleaning. Just reservations for my family for Easter. It’s coming up quickly on Sunday, April 12.

But where to go? I need to find something to please everyone from my 4 and 6-year-old children to my (can’t mention their age) parents.

Here are some of the possibilities we’re considering:

Cameron’s American Bistro

Cameron’s American Bistro in Worthington - a small, quaint restaurant that’s part of the Cameron Mitchell Restaurant line. They’re offering a brunch buffet to include French toast, shrimp cocktail and leg of lamb. Plenty of fruit and dessert for the kids, too. Sounds pretty good and they’re open 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., so we could get in early.

Another of Cameron’s restaurants, Mitchell’s Ocean Club , located at Easton Town Center , has added some special items just for Easter in addition to their regular menu: blueberry stuffed French toast, crab benedict (low-cal, no doubt) and short rib hash. Hmmm . . . maybe lunch, then walk it off with some shopping?

A classic, long-time favorite in Columbus, The Bexley Monk , will host a brunch buffet with stations for Belgian waffles and roast beef, plus a pastry display - that means it’s OK to take more than one, right?

It’d also be fun to take the group - we’ll probably have 12 - to the Short North Arts District . I noticed Surly Girl Saloon has an Easter lunch special: $8 for a grilled ham and cheese with tomato soup and rosemary deviled eggs. The kids would eat that (and maybe my dad, too). For the rest of us, in addition to the regular menu, the featured brunch item is Western breakfast pizza with eggs, ham, peppers, onions and cheddar cheese. And they’re serving chocolate Easter basket cupcakes all day. How cute!

Of course, these are just a few of many great places that have Easter specials and brunches. I still haven’t made a decision, but I sure am hungry now.

What are your plans? Do you have other ideas to toss in the hopper?

As Valentine’s Day approaches, I thought I’d share some budget-minded ideas for a unique, special way to celebrate this year. This list was shared with 10TV viewers on Saturday morning, so if you missed it, here’s a recap complete with costs.

Dining Ideas

Valentines by Candlelight at the Ohio Village
$57
From 6:30-9 p.m., guests will be greeted by Victorian costumed interpreters. After an elegant meal, the Ohio Village Singers will present a concert of period love ballads and comic songs interspersed with romantic verse, poetry and readings. Each guest also receives a handmade valentine.

Shadowbox Presents: Bringin’ Sexy Back
$30 or $20 for seniors and students
At 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., this show redefines sex appeal. It features outrageous original comedy sketches and raucous rock ‘n’ roll. The subjects range from the first date to the last - and everything in between!

Valentine’s Warmup at Vino 100 Polaris
$12-$14
From 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Vino 100 Polaris, you can enjoy a specially selected red or white wines and enjoy a serenade by jazz and blues singer Lisa Imondi.

Entertainment Ideas

Photo: Will Shively
BalletMet dancers Adam Hundt & Adrienne Benz

BalletMet and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra present: Jazz Moves Take 2
$28-$45
At 2 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre, Riffe Center. Directed by Byron Stripling, this performance creates a mesmerizing fusion of dance and music perfect for Valentine’s Day. Jazz lovers and dance devotees alike will be jamming to the most American of all art forms.

Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus Presents: Obsessed, A Vox Performance
$2
At 8 p.m. at the Columbus Performing Arts Center. Join Vox, a small ensemble of the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus, for a fun and eerie performance. Audience members will enjoy a wide collection of fun and slightly creepy songs, such as Can’t Get You Out of My Head, Every Breath You Take, From This Moment On, and All By Myself, among others.

Free Valentine Concert of Love Songs at Areopagitica Books
FREE
From 7-9 p.m., the evening features serious love songs and a humorous trivia quiz. Bill Cohen will strum and sing acoustic guitar favorites made famous by great American folk singers like John Denver, Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel and others. In addition to the classic love songs, Bill will challenge the audience with trivia questions about famous couples and love songs throughout the decades.

Warhol Farewell Reception
FREE, $8 to enter the exhibit
From 5-7 p.m. at the Wexner Center for the Arts, the reception will feature a live auction (around 6 p.m.) of two Andy Warhol/Wexner Center street pole banners and an Andy cutout to benefit Wexner Center education programs. Stick around for other events later in the evening, including a Hitchcock screening, a Japanese theater group performance and a live performance by Columbus-based Velvet Underground tribute band, Times New Viking.

Family-Friendly Ideas

Columbus Children’s Theatre Presents: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
$10 - $20
At 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Park Street Theatre. This sprightly version of Snow White has played to the delight of children of all ages from Toronto to New York to Los Angeles. The exceptional score and the caring relatedness of the young girl and the dwarfs distinguish this version of the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale.

Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Skate at Skate Zone 71
99¢
From 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., featuring Radio Disney Music. Wear something red or pink for 99¢ admission to this family friendly Valentine’s Day party for kids. Skate, make Valentines, play fun games, and win great prizes.

For more ideas, you can visit the Columbus Events Calendar and search by date or enter keyword “Valentine.” Or please feel free to add your own in the comments.

No matter what you choose to do, I hope you share it with someone special. Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Experience Columbus.

Photo by
Randall Lee Schieber

Still figuring out how to ring in 2009?

Maybe we can help with a little inspiration from the Columbus Events Calendar. Click here to check out a list of events, performances, restaurants and hotel packages available across the city on December 31.

And thanks to Cara Keithley on Twitter, I also came across this list with additional options provided by Columbus Alive.

Have a suggestion you don’t see here? Feel free to leave a reply to share it with fellow readers.

Happy New Year!

The North Market
Photo by Rod Berry

The North Market is one of those unforgettable places in Columbus and I still remember my first trip. I was visiting a friend at The Ohio State University when she introduced me to the best ice cream I’d ever had (you guessed it, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams ). When I moved to Columbus years later, a return visit was at the top of my agenda — I was craving Jeni’s Riesling Poached Pear Sorbet!

The North Market is a perfect combination of chaos and clutter. With 30+ merchants offering everything from fresh seafood to vintage wines, it’s no wonder this public market is a Columbus favorite.

During the week the North Market draws a sizeable lunch crowd. Whether you’re craving pizza, sushi or something to satisfy that sweet tooth, you can find it here . Not in the mood for a full meal? Take some time to wander around and fill up on abundant samples. On any given day you can snack on flavored gourmet popcorn from Pam’s Market Popcorn , challenge your taste buds with CaJohn’s Flavor and Fire salsas, and guiltlessly sample bite-size treats from Mozart’s Bakery .

The weekends often welcome special events to the market, and this holiday season has been no exception. A few weekends back I visited The North Market’s Holiday Open House & Craft Extravaganza. My goal was to find a Christmas ornament for an upcoming ornament exchange party and I wanted something with a special Columbus touch. I didn’t have to look any further than the Glass Axis table. Their hand-blown glass ornaments are one-of-a-kind creations and mine is sure to be the hit of the party.

Planning a visit to the North Market soon? Go with an open mind and an empty stomach — you never know what you might find when you’re there.

This is Part 2 of a 2-part series posted on The Columbus Experience. Part 1 is by Amy Gatto Klein, who features her last-minute shopping gameplan. Part 2 is by Brian Cheek, who features some of his already-completed shopping stops made this holiday season.

With all of the talk about the economy, I tried to make a conscious effort to shop locally for Christmas this year. I wanted to support our Columbus merchants - those who would feel the effects of the economy first, those we can not afford to lose, and those who make Columbus what it is.

I’m typically a last-minute shopper like Amy, but this year I planned ahead and gave myself time to hit a few Columbus neighborhoods to find gifts.

• I started with Collier West in the Short North , a gorgeous store with a variety of wares including tabletop items by Michael Aram and decoupage pieces by John Derian . I received personal assistance, didn’t have to deal with a stressed-out sales person out to make a commission, and my purchase was packaged uniquely and ready to give.

• I still send good old-fashioned greeting cards (and actually, not just at Christmas but year round). For unique cards, I headed to my usual stop, Peabody Papers in Grandview. I love walking into a place that carries a variety of styles created by artists or companies with a specific style. You’re warmly greeted at Peabody Papers and given personalized individual attention - whether you’re there for a single card or a set of customized invitations.

• Since I work for Experience Columbus, it might seem cheesy to say I like to give a local "experience" as a gift. Well pass the Gouda, because the truth is that’s exactly what I like to do. I purchased tickets for a friend and me to take a Chef Series Cooking Class at the North Market . You can’t get more local then taking a cooking class from a Columbus area chef; ours will be taught by Paul Yow from Barcelona Restaurant & Bar . What I really love about this gift is that my friend would have never bought it for herself.

• I have nine nieces and nephews, so for their gifts I headed to Larson’s Toys and Games in Upper Arlington, a great alternative to big box toy stores. Larson’s carries a variety of classic wooden toys along with lines of toys from around the world. I never worry that I’ve bought the little ones in my life something they already have. Larson’s also offers free gift wrapping, all year round. Enough said.

• Finally, for my friend that has everything, I turned to food. Weiland’s Gourmet Market in Clintonville has a wide variety of seafood, meat, cheese and specialty international items. I chose an assortment of goodies specific to my friend’s tastes, and was able to do it all during one stop at this busy but friendly market.  Weiland’s also offers a wide selection of beer, wine and liquor. Their knowledgeable staff will help you find just the right drink to go with whatever you might be serving (and for some of you out there, they can help figure out which libation will get you through holiday get-togethers with the relatives).

This is Part 1 of a 2-part series posted on The Columbus Experience. Part 1 is by Amy Gatto Klein, who features her last-minute shopping gameplan. Part 2 is by Brian Cheek, features some of his already-completed shopping stops made this holiday season.

It’s just a week before Christmas and my shopping list is sadly devoid of checked-off items.  This is one of those times I especially love living in my Clintonville neighborhood because I can just stroll up the street and find a perfect gift for almost everyone on the list.

By the time I actually shop it might be too late to share my recommendations with you, so I’ll tell you where I’m headed on my last-minute Christmas shopping stroll in advance. My gameplan:

• First stop will be Cup O’ Joe . I’m nothing if not realistic, and my mission will clearly need to be fueled by something stronger than good cheer. In addition to my coffee, I’ll buy a pound of fresh roasted coffee beans and travel mugs as good stocking stuffers for my husband and brother. The warmth of the fireplace will, like always, be inviting and the tables will be packed with neighbors chatting, studying and tapping away on laptops. But I won’t be able to stay this trip.

• Energized by my coffee, I’ll make my way north on High Street to stop by Wholly Craft for fun and funky handmade gifts. This store is a treasure-trove of unique items from a variety of individual crafters . This is where I’ll find cute earrings for my mom and a few friends, and I’ll also grab a package of hand-stamped note cards as a general all-purpose gift. If anyone needs gift hints for me, I’m also not-so-secretly hoping someone thinks of signing me up for one of their upcoming crocheting classes.

Oilcloth totes at SoBo Style

• Next I’ll cross the street and continue north to SoBo Style , home of shabby chic gift options.  The vintage furniture covered in bright fabrics always make me smile, but I’ll be looking for smaller items this time – purses and totes made with oilcloth, perfect to send to my sisters-and-mother-in-laws. They’re fun and functional in a whimsical retro way, plus the totes are a great alternative to plastic bags at grocery stores. I’ll also pick up some adorable all-purpose holiday decorations which will be good for my grandmother and aunts.

• Across the street, I’ll stop by Skreened for clever designs made on American Apparel tees I have pre-ordered online.  Here I’ll check my husband and brothers off the list, admire all the quirky shirts and bright colors, and know the ones I picked out will be hits on Christmas morning.

• Finally, I’ll swing by Mozart’s Bakery & Piano Cafe for some buttery and delicious hostess goodies to serve to my holiday guests.

The beauty of my last-minute gameplan? I’ll do pretty well in a small amount of time, then head for home reminded about how much I love living in this part of Columbus.

Photo by Thomas Alexander
(see more on Flickr )

If you’re looking for an alternative to happy hour at a local bar, consider Cocktails @ the Conservatory .

It’s held at the Franklin Park Conservatory every Thursday evening from 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). There’s no cover and parking is free.

The holiday season is a great time to go since the Conservatory is decked out with beautiful holiday lights and decorations, including a 15-foot tall poinsettia tree. I attended with a friend and we enjoyed music by Encore Entertainment and delicious hors d’oeuvres (let’s just say I can never turn down food from Cameron Mitchell ).

The best part was seeing Light Ramient II , the Palm House light installation by award-winning artist James Turrell . It was chilly outside, but well worth stepping outdoors for a few minutes to take a look at the color-changing lights. Seeing the Palm House illuminated against the night sky was breathtaking.

I’ll definitely be back the next time I’m looking to kick off the weekend early.