Lights, Carols, Action! ✨

The FIRST ever issue! Friday, Dec 6 - Things to do, gift ideas, & where to shop local.

Author

The Golden Goose
December 06, 2024

Whoa - we’re doin’ this! Welcome to the flock! 🪿

While this silly goose always struggles with the transition to Winter 🥶, I can’t help but get excited for all the winter festivities, starting with the Candlelight Walk tonight. That said, the holiday season gift giving anxiety is REAL. As an aspiring minimalist, I struggle with the excess and consumerism of it all. That’s why I have some gift giving ideas below.

Golden’s Candlelight Walk is tonight (and free), and this is one of my favorite events! Bring friends or come alone and join in the singing and merriment. Don’t forget to bring warm clothing, a mug of something warm, & a candle to carry! Limited candles are available for purchase (see the website).

My low quality photo, curtesy of my notoriously outdated iPhone. You’re welcome, environment!

  • 5:00pm @ Parfet Park - Pre-show

  • 6:30pm @ Washington Ave & 15th - this is the main attraction in case you can’t join any earlier. Everyone walks North down Washington towards 10th Street, singing carols, until a countdown begins, and the “switch” is flipped for Golden’s 45,000 holiday lights along Clear Creek and downtown.

  • Everyone takes a lap down Clear Creek to enjoy the lights!

Festivus for the Rest of Us Beer Dinner is on Sunday (Dec 8), and this is one event I’ve been dying to go to because I heard it’s an absolute BLAST! Alas, it always sells out so quickly, and I’ve never been to one. But stick around here, kid, and I’ll make sure you get the registration head’s up in time next year.

Fun fact: I just finished all 9 seasons of Seinfeld, and now I finally get these jokes. I refused to watch it for the longest time, but admittedly, I found it to be an enjoyable, quick watch.

  • SOLD OUT

  • 5:00-9pm’ish @ Bottles & Barrels

Holiday Shopping

Gift Giving Ideas 💡:

  • “Something they want, something they need, something to read” - ok, fair, this makes it slightly tricky because it’s 3 gifts, but they’re smaller gifts, and I love the concept (a good friend does this with her in-laws).

  • A funny calendar - One year I photoshopped all my family members’ faces on royal oil paintings and printed a calendar. Each person was featured on the month of their birthday. (📷 See below) If you’re afraid to learn, have no fear - there are so many free tutorials. I love the humor in imperfect photoshop.

  • An experience - The gift that keeps on giving! Last year my then-boyfriend (now husband) put together a scavenger hunt around Golden with clues leading to familiar places. He hid my favorite candy - bulk Australian licorice from Sprouts - in at each clue’s location. It was a lot of fun.

Some of my family members photoshopped onto royal oil paintings. 🎨

Where to shop local this weekend 🎁:

  • Foothills Holiday Market at the newly renovated Foothills Art Center near downtown (Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm) - check out the new space and some showcased art while you’re there

  • Humble House - Always a coffee house favorite of mine, they have excellent, unique gifts year round. Check them out while you’re shopping on Washington Ave.

  • Old Town Arvada & Arvada Farmers Winter Pop-Up Market (Saturday, Dec 7 @ 11am-3pm) - Admittedly, I’ve never been to this one, but I do love a good pop-up market and Old Town Arvada. Can’t go wrong combining the two!

Have a great weekend!

Your friendly neighborhood goose,
Kelsey 🪿
Publisher | The Golden Goose