WE NEED A LITTLE Christmas… says Claudia Polzin

Claudia Polzin
Independent Consultant  

No matter what part of the country we used to live in – the holiday season is very important to families – many times it is the only time during the year we have the opportunity to connect. We connect around traditions – some of them meals, some entertainment. It doesn’t matter if those traditions are tied to religious beliefs or not – I have found over my life time that people want to connect, want to renew relationships or make new relationships during this time of the year. So plan your holiday season remembering what is important to you and focus on the positive – because we definitely are surrounded by too much negative – so during this time of the year let’s push that negative aside and find the rainbows in our lives.

Downtown Naples at the Sugden Theatre through December 22 –find a time to enjoy the play “She Loves Me” – from which the movie “You’ve Got Mail” is based. It is considered by some as the “Perfect Christmas Story”. This month you can enjoy the play in conjunction with a total night out – dinner, stroll 5th Avenue and see a refreshing play.

Cambier Park is one of wonderful jewels in Naples’ crown – December will see four of your favorite bands performing (and I would be willing to bet there will be some Christmas music). All of these concerts are free and rely on donations that you choose to make during the concert. The month begins December 1 at 2 p.m. with the Gulf Coast Big Band; December 8 at 2 p.m. the Naples Concert
Band; December 9 at 7 p.m. the Naples Big Band and December 15 at 2 p.m. the Naples Dixieland Jazz Band.

We have a wealth of concert series sponsored by our local churches – the majority of these are at no charge and utilize free will offerings, which makes these wonderful concerts available to all. Begin the month on December 1 at First Presbyterian Church of Naples at 4 p.m with their Chancel Choir’s annual Christmas Concert. December 2 – North Naples Church you can experience the
wonderful Naples Brass Band’s Christmas Celebration at 7 p.m.

December 15 at 7:30 p.m. – if you missed the Naples Brass Band at North Naples Church – just down the road at Vanderbilt Presbyterian you can hear this exciting group doing their Christmas
Celebration. Also, on December 14 and 15, Trinity-by-the-Cove church on Galleon Drive will feature their annual favorite Christmas carols accompanied by harp, organ, flute, piano and percussion – both concerts are at 4 p.m.

December 19 at 7 p.m. at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church we welcome back the Grammy nominated Chorale Group – Seraphic Fire for their 2019-20 season. Their opening concert is their Christmas concert – these incomparable voices present carols, ancient and modern, featuring Gregorian chant, Renaissance motets, English carols and traditional carols.

Even though we don’t have snowflakes falling and chestnuts roasting on the street corners – we have some wonderful Christmas tree lighting evenings. Hopefully you did not miss the tree lighting
on Third Street on November 25. But do not despair – if you did the 46th Annual Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Fifth Avenue South happens on December 6 from 6-10 p.m. This
year it will feature a live Nativity scene; the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree in Sugden Plaza; and for the first time a skating rink.

Remember to enjoy the Holidays and take care of yourself and those you love. Enjoy the traditions with your family, or new family that you have found in Naples. December can become harried with
all of the activities and schedules that we create for ourselves – so in the midst of the busy season take time out to enjoy the beach, sunsets and all that Naples has to offer.