We sometimes take a train ride up into Germany around then for the great christmas markets which take place in almost every city and town. Other times we'll go south into Italy or take a ride into the Alps to catch some sun.

Colonial Williamsburg celebrates Christmas beginning just after Thanksgiving and they do everything first class. They have all kinds of special programs, tours, concerts and dinners. The dinners are fabulous - lots of Southern cooking with wonderful entertainment and a cocktail party beforehand - themed feasts. There are night walking tours (centered around Christmas and American history), craft classes (making centerpieces and decorations), walking tours of all the fabulously decorated door, porch and window decorations, special breakfasts (breakfast with the pastry chefs is one). The great great grandson of Charles Dickens often does an incredible one-man rendition of A Christmas Carol (he does a lunch and a dinner version - tickets sell out early), there are cressets afire and bonfires around the town at night with outdoor caroling and their wonderfu fife and drum parades, etc. We went on a fun tour of Carter's Grove (an historic 18th century plantation on the James River owned by Col. Williamsburg) - after the tour we all got to go to the historic keeping room and sit on the cozy over-stuffed couches with a blazing fire in the massive fireplace - a classical guitarist was there who entertained us with the most beautiful Christmas songs - some of them sing-along - hot cider and those terrific Col. Williamsburg Christmas cookies. Well, I could go on and on - we have gone twice (and we live in So. California) and plan to go again. Book your hotel and program reservations early.
Cathleen

Cattnap, that sounds wonderful. I love Williamsburg and hope to visit someday at Christmastime.