Historic Christmas

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Christmas in Santa Fe Santa Fe has got to be one of the prettiest places to visit around Christmas-time. It's always a photogenic town, thanks to its beautiful adobe architecture, and during December Santa Fe is aglow with thousands of "farolitos" ("little lanterns", also called "luminarias"), that line walkways and rooftops. Santa Fe also celebrates with three traditions: its Anglo, Hispanic, and Native American cultures. Colonial Williamsburg Virginia Colonial Williamsburg is fun throughout the year, with a beautifully restored historic district peopled by real-life actors who bring to life the days just before the American Revolution. The Holiday Season adds special events, including a Grand Illumination spectacle of fireworks (18th century style), music, and lights; music performed on period instruments; and a Kids' Weekend where kids can dress up, sing carols, play games, and otherwise discover what an 18th century Christmas was like. Bethlehem, Connecticut "Christmas Town" Bethlehem, in Connecticut's Litchfield Hills, is a small town that makes the most of its name. Thousands of people make a pilgrimage here to get their Christmas mail marked with the Bethlehem postmark and with special rubber-stamps known as "cachets". Bethlehem also has a free Christmas Town Festival in early December -- 2012 dates are December 7 and 8-- with music, tree-lighting, crafts, and hayrides.                                                           Victorian Winter Wonderland at Breckenridge, Colorado Enjoy the Victorian Christmas atmosphere at one of Colorado's best ski destinations, with decorations on quaint Main Street, and special events such as annual light-up with Santa in a horse-drawn carriage. Breck also has a snow-sculpting Snowflake Challenge, and a Torch Light Parade on New Year's Eve.