Ames Holiday Actvities: November 30-December 2

The city of Ames has several holiday activities planned this month. This weekend is full of family friendly things to do to celebrate the Christmas season. I have compiled a list of the top holiday events to participate in this coming weekend.

Festival of Trees Workshop | The Octagon
The Octagon Center for the Arts is sponsoring an ornament and holiday workshop as part of the Festival of Trees. While you're there making ornaments, make sure you check out their array of beautifully adorned Christmas trees.
Saturday, December 1st - 1:30pm to 3:30pm | Free/Free Will Donations

ISU Forestry Christmas Tree Sale | Reiman Gardens Parking Lot
Haven't picked out a Christmas tree yet? Why not support Iowa State students in Forestry and get the perfect tree?  Conveniently located in the Reiman Gardens parking lot, you can do many of the  events offered at Reimans and take your tree home afterwards.
Friday, November 30th - 3pm to 8pm
Saturday, December 1st - 9am to 5pm
Sunday, December 2nd - 12pm to 5pm

Christmas Cookie Demonstration | Cooks Emporium
The annual Christmas cookie demonstration at Cooks Emporium is this Saturday. Get great recipes, ideas and tips for your holiday baking this season.
Saturday, December 1st - 10am | $5

Central Iowa Symphony Sounds of the Season Concert | Ames City Auditorium
The orchestra will be playing holiday classics all night. This would be a great date night idea to celebrate the Christmas season.
Saturday, December 1st - Doors Open 6:45pm, Performance Starts 7:30pm | $20

Snowball Drop | Tom Evans Park on Main Street
Holiday prizes, coupons, and discounts will be falling from the sky at Tom Evans Park this Saturday during the annual Snowball Drop. Stop here before going holiday shopping.
Saturday, December 1st - 1pm | Free

Altrusa Home Tour | Homes in Ames
Curious about the interior of the most beautiful homes in Ames? Here's a great opportunity to see some of those homes decorated for Christmas in the Altrusa Home Tour. There will be five homes in Ames included the tour: 3002 Sapphire Circle, 5316 Thackeray Drrive, 51552 180th Street, 1919 Polk Drive, 4317 Timber Ridge Drive.
Saturday, December 1st - 1pm to 5pm | $12 Advance/$15 At the Door
Sunday, December 2nd - 1pm to 5pm | $12 Advance/$15 At the Door

Santa Express Train | Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
On board, you will sing Christmas carols, hear the story of "Santa's Scenic Valley Ride," be served hot chocolate and a cookie, meet, and receive a silver bell from, Santa.
Saturday, December 1st - 10:30am, 1pm, 3pm, & 6pm | $16

Holiday Music | Reiman Gardens
Live holiday music will be preformed at Reiman Gardens this weekend. Reiman Gardens has decked the halls and is ready for Christmas. Enjoy the scenory and the music offered at Reiman Gardens this weekend.
Saturday, December 1st - 12pm to 3pm | General Admission Rates
Sunday, December 2nd - 12pm to 3pm | General Admission Rates

Ames Children's Choirs Holiday Concert | Bethesda Lutheran Church
The talented children of Ames Children's Choirs will be performing holiday music at Bethesda Lutheran Church. There will be songs sung in several languages, including Portuguese, Hebrew, Latin & English.
Sunday, December 2nd - 3pm | $8 Adults/$5 Students & Seniors

Do you have events that you traditionally go to in Ames during the holidays? Will you be going to any of these activities listed?

Holiday Traveling: How to Prep

If you're traveling this weekend or during the holiday season, here are a few tips and reminders to make sure your journey is a success before you even leave.

1. Fill up your tires. As the weather (presumably) will get colder, your tire pressure will change. Before leaving for a long car ride or even just the ride to the airport, make sure your tires are full. It would be a disappointment to have to change a tire on the side of the road or to come back from your trip and see your tires flat in the parking lot. A tire gauge is $2 and worth it, even if you have tire pressure sensors as a feature in your vehicle. Other car maintenance like an oil change or a car wash can't hurt either.

2. Figure out what to wear. While it is important to figure out what you'll be wearing for the holiday festivities, it is also important to figure out what to wear in the car or on the plane. A belt is a hassle in both scenarios; either it's leaving a dent in your stomach in the car under your seat belt or you're having to remove it and put it back on when going through airport security. Comfortable, yet classy. Relaxed, but not sloppy. Thinking about not just what your clothing will look like but how practical it will be is a good rule of thumb when preparing what to wear on the journey.

3. Pick up your house and water your plants. When the stress of having to pack and coordinate travel plans gets overwhelming, you may have the urge to leave the mess for when you get back. Do yourself a favor and pick up out of place objects, do the dishes, wipe down the bathroom, take out the trash and water your plants. Imagine coming home completely exhausted, having piles of laundry to do, emails to check and your house is a wreck. You don't need to deep clean before you leave but tidying up beforehand will help you in significant ways when you return.

4. Give a spare key to a neighbor that you trust. Fears of "I forgot to turn off the..." or "I forgot to feed the..." will be settled more quickly when you have someone to check on things while you're gone. If you're going to be gone for more than three days, you might even ask them to turn on your living room lights for a few hours each night. Trustworthy neighbors are indispensable. Jump on the opportunity to return the favor for them so it's a good deal for everyone involved.

5. Take a break. Give yourself a time limit to get all of your travel prep done. Then take a few hours just to enjoy being home before your trip. If you are high stress up until the minute that you leave, chances are, that stress will carry to your destination. Holidays are supposed to be a time to step back and enjoy blessings with family. Give yourself the grace to let things be undone and less than perfect before you leave so that you can get excited for the real purpose of the traveling, spending time to celebrate.

What are your must-dos before you travel?

Happy Thanksgiving from the Jared Van Cleave Real Estate Team!

Featured Listings: November 19

10590 530th Ave. Story City, IA

Century farm located just minutes NW of Story City. Features include: completely updated home in 2008, 9' ceilings, refinished wood floors, new electrical, new plumbing, new metal roof and gutters, reinsulated, new drywall, Swan Creek custom cabinets, Corian counter-tops, stainless steal appliances, washer/dryer included, open floorplan, new fixtures, MBR suite w/ adjacent 3/4 bath, spacious closets, huge deck, 54'x60' Morton insulated & propane heated Morton building w/ two 14'x12' overhead doors, well maintained century barn, pasture, groves, rural water for house & well for exterior hydrants, new septic, bus stops at end of driveway, beautiful Iowa views, and much more! Wonderful farm just a short drive from everything!

2118 Ashmore Dr. Ames, IA

Fantastic ranch home with nearly 2900 total finished sq ft and vaulted ceilings in outstanding neighborhood near ISU Campus, Jack Trice Stadium, and Reiman Gardens. Huge picture windows provide great natural light and views of mature trees in private back yard. Features include: open floor plan, main floor laundry, 3-season porch, large MBR suite, hot tub, and composite back deck. Well built and maintained 1960's era home with new windows, new roof, raised garden beds, ceiling fans, updated mechanicals, and much more.

2009 McCarthy Rd. Ames, IA

 

Nearly 3550 total finished square feet in this large ranch home within walking distance to Reiman Gardens, Jack Trice Stadium, and ISU Campus. Features: gourmet kitchen added in 2004, oak hardwood floors, double oven, gas cooktop, pantry, quartz countertops, main floor living & family rooms, formal dining, main floor & LL laundry options, MBR suite w/ 3/4 bath & walk-in closet, 3 seasons porch, spacious living room in LL w/ 3/4 bath & 4th bedroom, mature trees, perennials, fruit trees, garden shed, spacious & private backyard, and much more than meets the eye.