A Lake Geneva Holiday Weekend

The Holidays are great, no matter where you spend them. I say that as a sheltered midwestern kid, who has only spent the Holiday season either in Lake Geneva or Chicago, notwithstanding one ill-fated December trip to Canada to “visit” my “in-laws”. Snow is important for the Holidays, but I’m going to limit my desired happy holiday snow covering to around 4 inches. Any more snow and it becomes a chore for me to keep my rear wheeled drive car on the road, any less and you’re left with those annoying bare spots. I want to see snow during the third and fourth weeks of December, not grass. Other vacation destination are buried under an unforgiving blanket of snow December through March, (you heard me Michigan) making traveling treacherous, and I’d prefer to stay out of the emergency room during the Holidays.

This weekend, the Lake Geneva Holiday festivities really begin, and there are plenty of options for someone looking to kick-start their Christmas cheer. When you combine a plethora of shopping options, plenty of restaurants, and easily accessible roads, it’s pretty obvious to see that Lake Geneva is a perfect Holiday town. I actually think owning a vacation home here is just as rewarding in the winter as it is in the summer, it’s just that instead of boating and swimming your way through a weekend, you get to take a little stroll through town and cozy up by a crackling fire after.

This weekend, Lake Geneva hosts their “Festival of Lights” and the “Lake Geneva Electric Christmas Parade”. The parade is obviously an event, and it’ll take place downtown at 5 pm on Saturday. The Festival of Lights is sort of like a weekend thing, with tree lighting on Friday night, and some auther who I’ve never heard of reading his or her story to you at Starbucks and/or Caribou Coffee. See how detailed I am today? If you’re coming into town, just wander around on Friday evening around 5 pm and you’ll find the activity pretty easily. If you’re early or late, perhaps taking a drive through the Grand Geneva to witness their robust lighting display would also be a nice idea. Saturday’s festivities start around 5 pm, and just like Friday’s instructions, you’ll find the event if you’re anywhere downtown. My son Thomas is supposed to be on the float for Faith Christian School, so I’ll be down there at 5 pm. Just look for the handsome guy next to the really handsome kid.

Now that I’ve planned your Friday and Saturday evening for you, there’s something else you need to consider. The Christmas tree. If you’re reading this, and you have a Lake Geneva vacation home, it makes perfect sense to spend Saturday morning hunting for your tree. If you don’t own a vacation home here, just come up for the day and look for a tree anywhere. If you live in the city, it’s much more fun to come to the “country” and track down a Christmas tree. A favorite movie moment of mine is when Clark Griswold heads out to get his Christmas tree in Vacation. It’s a cinematic treat, but in order to save you from an ordeal similar to his, I give you this…

It’s a map. Of Christmas tree locations. I know, I know, I may have missed my calling when I chose a career in real estate rather than the arts. I drew this beauty on my computer during the Bears game on Sunday. Since the game required very little focus after the first quarter, I was able to work on my map. I did this for you, so I hope you appreciate it. Follow the map, and you’ll find a great tree. I’m not going to tell you the hours, because as Christmas tree sales go, all you have to do is show up sometime during normal business hours on Saturday and you’ll be able to find the perfect tree. I have not as of yet put up my tree, so I very well may be mingling in the crowd on Saturday while I search for my own sap coated tree.

If you haven’t been to Lake Geneva for a while, consider this your invitation. If you’re looking to fulfill a little real estate curiosity while you’re here, I’m available. If you’re looking for a little Holiday joy this weekend, Lake Geneva is the place to find it.