thesavvyoldlady

If you are running around stressed out and caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season you might want to take a breather for a few days and find the true spirit of Christmas in Nashville, Tennessee. Recently The Crabby Old Guy and I moved to Nashville where he took a position at Belmont University. After living in New York, Maine and Florida we really didn't know what to expect in Tennessee. Oh yes, our first thoughts were of country music, the Grand Ole Opry and southern cooking but we were pleasantly surprised to find a truly cosmopolitan city. Music is the soul of this city and its people but it's not just country music. Every venue of music can be found here from classical, contemporary, rock, rap, jazz to country. Just visit Music Row and you will find yourself swaying to the beats of your favorite music.

Christmas in Nashville will remind you of all those wonderful Christmas' you experienced from
your childhood. Yes, all those memories will come flooding back and a true Christmas spirit that actually fills the air with joy, hope and great anticipation will welcome you. If you are looking for a secular "winter festival" approach you won't find it in this city. Beautiful decorations can be found everywhere and the malls are decked with holly. Don't hesitate to bring your children for this is truly a family friendly city.

It didn't take much to get The Crabby Old Guy and me into the Christmas spirit this year and we decided to attend some of the major events in the area. Our first stop was Gaylord's Opryland Hotel and Resort where we spent over an hour just walking around the hotel and marveling at the decorations and their two million lights. Would you believe that the hotel is decorated with 11 miles of garland and 9 miles of hand tied ribbon? Surely Santa won't have a problem finding Nashville this year since the sky is alive with this sparkling scene. In the main lobby you can find Santa sitting on his throne greeting all the children and adults while Christmas music plays softly.

Our next stop was Gaylord's Hall of Trees. Gaylord Opryland Hotel has graciously donated the use of one of their ballrooms for the purpose of displaying more than twenty lavishly decorated Christmas trees (with some incredible presents included) which are sponsored by local community corporations and auctioned on-line with all proceeds going to different charities. I do believe that even Santa would be impressed and touched by the beauty and generosity of this fundraiser. You can go to www.halloftrees.com and take a peek at the trees and if you want you can even place a bid.

The New York Rockettes Christmas Show was a must in our book. Since both Crabby and I were born in New York City visiting Rockefeller Center and going to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes perform was an annual Christmas event that we will always cherish. So being able to see the New York Rockettes perform live at the Grand Ole Opry was an absolute delight. I must admit The March of the Wooden Soldiers is just as spectacular in Nashville as it is in New York although there are fewer Rockettes performing.

Believe me when I tell you that I have saved the best for last...The ICE Extravaganza. Two million pounds of ice has been dyed and sculpted by 90 Chinese artisans into the life size story of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Mrs. Geisel, Dr. Seuss' widow helped with the designing of the exhibit and informed all that Dr. Seuss had always wanted to see his book come alive in ice. You truly do not have to be a child to enjoy this extravaganza because once you have seen it your "inner child" will come shining through. As people (adults and children) line up to enter the exhibit, which is kept at a constant 15 degrees, they are handed a hooded coat to wear inside to keep them comfortably warm. Going through this display is like falling asleep and waking up in your own private fairy tale. The expression on the faces of the children and adults is truly one of wonder and awe. My only regret was that I didn't try one of the three ice slides in Whoville but I guess I'll just have to leave that little treat for my children and grandson to try. At the end of the show is a life sized Nativity scene carved out of clear ice and it is fabulous.

As the old song goes "...these are a few of my favorite things..." Yes, Nashville is celebrating Christmas and the residents and tourists are thrilled with the opportunity to step back and enjoy the true meaning of the season. I am just amazed that this cosmopolitan city is capable of bringing all of us back to a time when life was simpler and joy was the order of the day. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays All!
I have pictures of Ice on my website www.thesavvyoldlady.com

Hugs,

The Savvy Old Lady©

carolyns

I really enjoyed your report of Nashville at Christmastime, and the pictures were awesome!
Never been to Tennessee (I'm from Vermont), but have relatives that live in Murfreesboro. Maybe I need to pay them a visit next year at this time! Any idea how far apart those two places are?
Thanks so much, savvy old lady!

jent103

Carolyn - Murfreesboro is probably half an hour outside Nashville (disregarding rush hour traffic!). There are lots of people who live in Murfreesboro and commute to Nashville. Come see us!

KatieL

My husband and I were at the Opryland Hotel last weekend for a Christmas party. We left the party early to wander around the hotel and enjoy the lights and decorations! I love the outdoor Nativity at the Magnolia reflecting pool. Also, the fountain show in the Delta lobby is spectacular!

We went to ICE as well and enjoyed it thoroughly. I am a big fan of Seuss and the Grinch, though. I heard a lot of comments that it wasn't worth the ticket price unless you had kids. We had free tickets. I don't know if I'd pay to see it again. The Nativity in ICE was beautiful though. I only wish I had warmer shoes on!

Thanks for your report! I love being in Nashville around Christmas. It is a great place.

Bob_KY

Does Franklin still have their "Dickens of a Christmas"? We used to enjoy going down there at Xmastime when we lived there. They had carolers dressed as Dickens characters singing downtown.

jent103

They did last year. I haven't heard anything about it this year, but I'd assume they did have it - I moved away from Franklin this summer and haven't been as tuned in!