Fun on Your Journey

Even if you can't make it to one of these renowned displays, there's a seasonal showcase within driving distance of your home. Whether you live in a city or in the suburbs, whole streets, if not entire neighborhoods, dress up in decorations. Finding them might be as easy as keeping your eyes peeled for areas of unusual brightness on your daily commute home. Watch the local papers and the news for stories about extraordinary displays and make note of them. And don't forget your trusty Chamber of Commerce and your local convention and visitors bureau; these folks are always in the know.

To give your decoration drive a personal touch, you may enjoy decking your car with boughs of holly and making it your sleigh for the night. You can make the atmosphere even merrier by dressing the part yourself. It can be as easy as a red Santa cap for every family member. Or, go all-out and dress the kids as elves from head to toe, and make you, Mom and Dad, into Mr. and Mrs. Claus. If your car is really going to be convincing as Santa's sleigh, a few jingle bells may be in order. Pine boughs and red or gold bows on the front grille aid the transformation.

Eat, drink, and be merry. You'll be the hostess with the most holiday cheer when you bring holiday treats. Now's no time to be a Scrooge about keeping the car crumb-free, so plan ahead and have a tarp or lightweight plastic on hand to place on the seats (of course, do not let kids play with it). Pack thermoses of spiced cider and eggnog, and a colorful tin full of Christmas cookies. Insulated, lidded coffee mugs will keep drinks warm and minimize spills. A small trash bag and a container of wipes will make clean-up effortless.

Turn up the tunes and carol away. Bring along your favorite holiday CDs or tapes, or get some new ones. Tried-and-true carols and hymns never fail to bring on the spirit of the season. Mix it up a little with a Christmas blues compilation. Turn up the car stereo and the heat; wrap everybody in fleece and put down the windows. "Silent Night" never sounds so good as when the whole family harmonizes, snuggled together in the chill of a winter night. When you're singing as one in the family car, driving through shimmering displays of light, love will shine.

Kick back and drive. Mosey slowly through winter wonderlands. Go methodically or go randomly -- just go safely and with holiday happiness. If you are on your way to an over-the-top display you've heard about or a live manger that reenacts the first Christmas, leave plenty of time for leisurely detours on your way there or on your way home. Expect traffic.