‘Tis The Season: Christmas Activities for Family Fun Around CLT
By Meghan Ray
The weather is chilling. Dreams for a white Christmas are in the air. Trees are going up and lights are being strung. 50% off is music to the ears.
There is also a promise of our savior being born.
Research shows that the Christmas season can be one of the most stressful due to the expectations of hosting, pressure for perfect gift buying, family tension, and the overall unrealistic view of perfection that commercialization has had on all of us. Therefore there is no better time than the present to remember the reason for the season and invest in spending time with the ones you love.
“For a child has been born for us; a son has been given to us. And the dominion will be on his shoulder, and his name is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
We have compiled a list of Christmas activities going on around Charlotte. Our hope for you is that you forget about the looming expectations and possible stress. Instead focus on rejoicing in the opportunity to share time with the ones you love in celebration of the gift of family the Lord has provided.
Christmas Shows Coming to Town
- Nutcracker by the Charlotte Ballet
- When: Dec. 6-22
- Where: Belk Theatre
- Tickets: https://charlotteballet.org/nutcracker-2024/
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: A Musical
- When: Nov. 22- Dec. 22
- Where: Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
- Tickets: https://ctcharlotte.org/Online/default.asp
- Holiday Pops by Charlotte Symphony
- When: Dec. 7
- Where: Knight Theatre
- Tickets: https://www.charlottesymphony.org/events/5CBCC95D-B8F5-4257-9CB2-36D8DDB21720
- Twas the Night Before… By Cirque de Soleil
- When: Dec. 20 – Jan. 4
- Where: Ovens Auditorium
- Tickets: https://www.boplex.com/events/twas-the-night-before-by-cirque-du-soleil
Winter Wonderland Fun
- Polar Express Train Ride
- When: Dec. 1, 6-8, 12-23
- Where: North Carolina Transportation Museum
- Tickets: https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/the-polar-express-train-ride/
- Winterfest
- When: Select nights between Nov. 15 and Jan. 4
- Where: Carowinds
- Tickets: https://www.carowinds.com/events/winterfest
- Camp North Pole
- When: Nov. 22 – Jan. 5
- Where: Ford Factory at Camp North End
- Tickets: https://camp.nc/iceskating/
- Skating at the White Water Center
- When: Dec. 2 – 31
- Where: White Water Center
- Tickets: https://center.whitewater.org/activity/ice-skating/
- Christmas at the Library
- When: Dec. 2 – 23
- Where: Billy Graham Center
- Tickets: https://billygrahamlibrary.org/christmas-at-the-library/
Twinkling Holiday Lights
- Charlotte Speedway
- When: Nov. 22 – Jan. 5
- Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway
- Tickets: https://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/events/speedway-christmas/
- Light the Knights
- When: Nov. 27 – Jan. 3
- Where: Knights Stadium
- Tickets: https://www.milb.com/charlotte-knights/ballpark/christmas
- Holidays at the Garden
- When: Nov. 29 – Dec. 29
- Where: Stowe Botanical Gardens
- Tickets: https://dsbg.org/visit/holidays-at-the-garden/
- Carolina Light Spectacular
- When: Dec. 5 – 29
- Where: Ballantyne Backyard
- Tickets: https://ncholidaylights.com/
If you or family are dealing with relational difficulties this Holiday Season and need help navigating unknown waters, turn to Anchored Hope Counseling in Kannapolis, NC. Anchored Hope Counseling provides a wide range of therapy services from couples counseling to personal one-on-one sessions. View a list of our offerings online, or schedule a consultation today. If you liked these tips remember to subscribe to our weekly blog for more news and insights.
Learn MoreJoin Our Team!
We are hiring NC Licensed Therapists/Counselors
Join our team and be a part of what the Lord is doing at Anchored Hope Counseling! Anchored Hope Counseling, PLLC is expanding our practice located in Kannapolis, NC. Serving individuals ( of all ages), couples, and families, we are seeking a part-time or full-time contractor therapist (for virtual and in-person) with experience and specialty in any of the following areas: children, adolescents, adults, couples, or trauma. This position offers great flexibility of hours!
Join us for a work experience that is life-giving as you serve alongside a professional staff who are passionate about Jesus, people, and Christian mental health care. At Anchored Hope Counseling, we desire our work to have eternal significance and influence.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Provide expert care to each client showing compassion in all encounters.
- Respond to all potential and existing clients promptly; conduct complimentary 15-minute phone consultations to determine client needs.
- Conduct thorough intake assessment, develop and update treatment plans. · Document case sessions and other communications promptly in the EHR system
- Maintain professional conduct within the community and on social media.
- Maintain ethical standards defined by the American Counseling Association and the American Association of Christian Counselors.
- Maintain licensing in good standing
Qualifications:
- Applicants must be fully or provisionally licensed in the state of North Carolina, and have experience providing counseling to children, teens, couples and individuals.
- Must have desire/experience integrating Christian counseling in alignment with organization values.
- Experience working with children and couples desired but not necessary
- If needed, on-site supervision is provided for LCMHCAs.
Please, send your resume and cover letter to Stevi Reed, LCMHC, QS, NCC at stevi@anchored-hope.com
Learn MoreSparking Intimacy for Couples
Date Night Ideas in CLT
February 1, 2024 by Meghan Ray
As Valentine’s Day approaches, there is no better time to go out on a date night. Expert’s say that couples, no matter the stage of their relationship, should date at least every 10-14 days. Take a look at this list of ideas for all budgets to see how you can rekindle the intimacy or spice up the routine!
Low Budget Couples
- Get Outdoors: Pack a lunch or afternoon snack and explore the great outdoors!
- Location: Crowder’s Mountain in Kings Mountain, NC
- Cost: Free!
- Location: UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens in Charlotte, NC
- Cost: Free!
- See Whose More Competitive: Head on up to Concord and play classic board games with your date! Food and drink is available for purchase at their attached cafe.
- Location: Luck Factory Games in Concord, NC
- Cost: $8-10 per person
- Website: https://luckfactorygames.com/about/3-steps-to-get-your-game-on/
- Take a Swing at Something New: Whether you call it putt putt or mini golf – take a night to see who can stay closest to par at this adults only indoor course.
- Location: Puttary in Charlotte, NC
- Cost: $22 per person
- Website: https://www.puttery.com/locations/charlotte/
Medium Budget Couples
- What’s Duck Pin Bowling?!: Take on this spin of classic bowling and see who comes out on top! When you are done check out their variety of board games while you sip one of their self pour brews. Food served onsite.
- Location: Pinhouse in Charlotte, NC
- Cost: $20 per hour
- Website: https://pinhouseclt.com/
- Become a Chemist: Spend some quality couples time mixing together your own personal scent while you make your own candles.
- Location: Paddywax in Charlotte, NC
- Cost: $45 per person
- Website: https://thecandlebar.co/products/candle-pouring-charlotte
- Show Some Charlotte Spirit: Put on your red and black and head down to a Charlotte Checkers game at Bojangles Coliseum.
- Location: Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, NC
- Cost: $25-$55 per person
- Dates of Home Games: 2/2, 2/3, 2/17, 2/18, 2/24, & 2/25
- Website: https://charlottecheckers.com/schedule/schedule
- Raffaldini Vineyard Wine Tour: Step into Tuscany for the day when you take a tour and wine tasting at Charlotte’s local winery.
- Location: Raffaldini Vineyard in Ronda, NC
- Cost: $30 per person
- Website: https://www.raffaldini.com/Visit/Information
High End Budget Couples
- Skate and Date: Spend your Valentine’s Day with a little physical activity followed by a 3 course tasting menu. Vegan and Gluten free options available!
- Location: US White Water Center in Charlotte, NC
- Cost: $65 per person
- Date of Interest: February 14
- Website: https://center.whitewater.org/dining/skate-and-date/
- Spice Things Up in the Kitchen: Want to learn some new cooking or baking skills? Fling some batter at your love while you whisk up a variety of new recipes!
- Location: Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen in Charlotte, NC
- Cost: $75-$85 per person
- Variety of classes offered all month long!
- Website: https://chefalyssaskitchen.com/classes/
- Travel to a Galaxy Far Far Away: For all the Star Trek and Star Wars couples out there this one’s for you! A four course food and spirit tasting menu at one of Charlotte’s most exclusive speakeasy. Tickets only available by reservation Thursday – Sunday.
- Location: Supperland Speakeasy in Charlotte, NC
- Cost: $160
- Dates of Interest: February 1 – March 16
- Website: https://supper.land/supperland-speakeasy/
Experiencing some relationship or marital difficulty? Need someone to help rekindle the flame? If so, turn to Anchored Hope Counseling in Kannapolis, NC. Anchored Hope Counseling provides a wide range of therapy services from couples counseling to personal one-on-one sessions. View a list of our offerings online, or schedule a consultation today. If you liked these tips remember to subscribe to our weekly blog for more news and insights.
Learn MoreThe Importance of Gratitude for a Hope-Filled Marriage
Do you feel like your home is full of constant nagging? Do you work hard but you feel your spouse doesn’t appreciate you or acknowledge anything you do for the relationship? Do you just feel alone in your marriage and your spouse doesn’t seem to want to make any effort? Maybe you feel that there is just no more hope left for the two of you.
As we get comfortable in our relationships and establish a routine, it is common for couples to start taking each other for granted. Often, it is the small gestures of daily life that maintains a connection between a couple. If your acts of kindness each day are looked at as “duties” and become expected, then your relationship will start to suffer.
However, there is hope! Expressing gratitude to your spouse can lead to a longer lasting and more committed relationship. Gratitude demonstrates your appreciation for your partner and fulfills their need to be needed. By accomplishing this, gratitude generates more connectedness, happiness, and satisfaction for both of you. Often, when you show gratitude toward your spouse, you also increase the chances that they will act warm and loving toward you. Furthermore, when you feel grateful for your partner, you are more likely to increase your loving behaviors toward them and to value your relationship.
It is important to remember that you need to show gratitude by appreciating who your spouse is as a person, not just for what they do. For example, you can be grateful that your spouse took your kids to school and packed their lunch—and appreciate their thoughtfulness in noticing how busy you were. Ultimately, when you become more aware of the positive things your spouse does, you will naturally increase your gratitude for them.
3 ways you can increase gratitude (and hope) in your marriage:
•Show your spouse that you are thinking of them: a text, a short email, or a handwritten note.
•Compliment your partner for a trait that you appreciate and find attractive, lovable, or admirable.
•Do something thoughtful and unexpected for your spouse. Don’t wait for your anniversary or until your spouse does something first. Find a genuine way to do something special. It can be as small as breaking the routine by taking on a chore or task that is usually your partner’s responsibility.
Note: If you still feel that there is just no hope for your marriage and the hurt is too deep to restore the relationship through gratitude, reach out to Anchored Hope Counseling today. At Anchored Hope, I can help you restore gratitude in your relationship and rebuild your marriage through personalized techniques.
Learn More