Christmas at Calas and Andee's Golf

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

Of course the Christmas region that Calas Galadhon creates is so spectacular every year. It is not to be missed! Andee Cooper took her mystery tour there this year and I was able to go with her and the other participants.

The sleigh ride is the way to see the beauty of the region on the way to the skating lake and the Pavilion. Listening to the music enhances the ride as you pass builds along the way. There are some new buildings as usual this year. Ty Tenk and Truck Meredith make sure that everyone who visits has a wonderful time exploring, attending events almost daily, skating, or just relaxing by the outdoor fire or in one of the smaller pavilions.
 

I spied Santa climbing high above the Pavilion.

 

The Pavilion itself was filled with poinsettias and the rooms inside a wonderful place to listen to music and just enjoy the décor. Group members always find gifts on the tables next to the main entrance. I have several cats and a dog from years back and of course some snow globes. There is much to do all over the region and taking the balloon ride gives one a chance to look down on all the beauty. 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Li0nHeart%20Galaxy/122/241/3096

While Andee and I were riding she told me that she and her husband had installed a miniature golf on their region so I took a ride over to check it out. All the directions are posted on how to play. Grab your hud and score board and go! There are places to take photos on poses .. try the Gingerbread house. Softly falling snow adds to the fun!

Andee 004As one moves along the course you get to look at the lovely frosted winter trees. She told me many families had been coming to play . A little skating pond is available too. 

 

At the last hole who is waiting for you ? Old St Nick is sitting on his throne below the score board. It was a delightful setting and I took advantage to sit and take my Christmas texture. You still have time to go play golf with the kiddies on their vacation week! 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Li0nHeart%20Galaxy/122/241/3096

Gemma Cleanslate

 

Tex's Tree Farm

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

It is time to pick out that special Christmas tree for your home. One of the fun places to visit especially if you are bringing the family along to chop your own is Tex’s Tree Farm. 

 

Here you find so many carefully grown trees to choose from. Tex has had this farm for many years. I love visiting there. I have watched families pick out trees , choose décor , and then visit Santa.

Grab your axe and go choose that special tree just for you and chop it down. Follow the directions for that. Tex has amazing texture changers available for an amazing price. Take a look at the decors you would like . There is a great variety. If you are feeling a bit lazy get the whole decorated tree. The notecard will explain it all. You will be able to control the number of prims to fit your needs.

After you wander around the farm and visit Santa it is time to go up on the hill and visit one of the loveliest shops in SL to look for décor or gifts.

”HO HO HO Gemma, Welcome to Under The Tree Christmas Shop. Best selection of Christmas gifts and deco items in all of SL. Please make sure you take all items after purchase.”

 

 Lots of toys for the kids as well as drivable toys are there .

The next room has delicious looking food for your table. Be sure to take what you buy. It is a gotcha area. Another room is filled with furniture, tables , little Santas , many decorations that will grace your home. 

 

At the other end of the building there is a room filled with more furniture, wall hangings and more trees to choose. The room is filled with décor for every room in the house. It is a great place to shop for that reason. Upstairs are so many gacha machines where you can choose the number of the item you want to purchase. The gachas contain clothing, accessories , decorations, and much more. Be sure to check them out. While you are walking around you might receive a gift. I got a cute little Santa hat.

When you leave the store take a right turn and walk up the hill to the barn where there are cute animated animals for sale . A nice addition to the gifts for the kids under the tree. Here is the entrance to the tree farm. I good place to start.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife//83/211/103

Gemma Cleanslate

 

More Christmas Places: The Grove and Kringle County

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

With all the Christmas shopping that is going on including Shop and Hop I was so impressed with one I almost missed. I saw a poster at another Christmas place and went over to check it out. It is sponsored by THE GROVE, KAERRI & SURPLUS and is gorgeous! So many of my favorite designers had shops there.

Each shop has a gift box with lovely gifts in them. Crito Galtier of The Grove said “There are 123 shops filled with holiday items and every store has a free gift for you. 123 FREE gifts, people! 123!” It looked like more than 123 to me! It is massive in scope. One can find anything there from buildings to furniture to food, and outfits and classy cars and so much more!

While I was checking everything out floats were passing by on the roads. That make it more fun. I happened to come at the right time on my second visit . Crito was having a fireworks display over the beautiful bridge and I had a chance to see some of it. There are events going on until the 23rd of December .  

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Grove%20Event/22/128/23

There are so many gorgeous installations for the Christmas holidays it is impossible to get to all of them. Check the second life destinations. I chose a few to write about that caught my attention when I visited them. Kringle County was one that I really brought me back several times to visit This is where I went after a notice to come see Santa and have a photo taken with him. I got all dressed up and arrived to be one adult among lots of little tots having their pictures taken and telling Santa what they wanted. Santa was live and was asking what they wanted in voice. When I sat I told Santa I wanted more prims. Living on Bellisseria we get just so many for our Linden homes and of course always want more! I also got a gift from Santa.

Santa also is taking people around in his sleigh so I did take a ride. There is also elegant train ride to hop on and get to see the décor from the land level. Near the entrance there is a portal that takes one up to a their marvelous amusement park. I bet the parents took their tots up there after the picture taking.

There is a third level to visit … a massive racetrack for those who love that activity!

Take a walk on the streets and check out the houses as you go along. In front of each there is a gift box.
Pick out your favorite and vote for it in the mail box. Check out the shops for cute items to buy for the kiddies. Don’t miss the snowtube tour! Stop by the Beauty Shop if you feel the need to be pampered. I sure do! I stopped at the Diner and found a family having breakfast. Lovɛღ ɮɛʟǟɨʀɛ ღÅddɨcƬɨvɛ亗 (LoveAkiesha Resident) was having pancakes. 

 

I reminded them to come back to have her picture taken with Santa and get a gift . Hope they remember!

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Destination%20Dilly/97/208/23

Gemma Cleanslate

Christmas Places: Rebel Yell and Christmas Town

By Gemma Cleanslate

CHRISTMAS IN SANTA'S HOMETOWN Rovaniemi Lapland

Christmas at Rebel Yell is always special because of the depth of decoration and the many activities available to all visitors. Skating, snowboarding,skiing, sledding... take your pick, If it too cold outside you can go bowling or play pinball.

This year they have a marvelous display of the hometown of Santa, Rovaniem in Lapland. Read the history at the entrance. 

Santa is there and is so proud of his home he is showing it off in so many ways.

He is driving couples around in a sleigh, having dinner with people, listening to their wishes , supervising his elves at the workshop and doing a wonderful job!

I even found him having a happy dance on top of his train.
He has set up horses for riding with your honey, or alone. I found a fishing hole and sat for a while trying to catch something to no avail but it was fun.

The Gingerbread Bakery is filled with goodies and I had to stop for some roasted chestnuts on my walk through the village. 

There were many visitors wandering the town and nearby woods on horseback checking out all the venues  . Go visit! 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/REBEL%20YELL%20HEADQUARTERS/81/102/25

After that visit I stopped at the Holly Jolly Cafe at the Christmas Expo  for a live show   DaliLu  (DaliLuuDj)  and group singing. She has a lovely delicate soprano voice that charmed the audience. It is great to see the good that the Expo does every year for the ACS and this year was no exception.

Well it was a bit later than other openings however Laura Liberty got it done. I was so happy to see Christmas Town come to life again. This venue has everything! There are shops where you can pick up anything you have forgotten for decor, numerous outfits for any party, and much more. One thing I always like to visit is the New Years Eve shop. Check out all the decor you need and food and drinks , of course , Champagne .

This year there is a new item I think, unless I missed it last year... Jigsaw puzzles you can buy and actually make own photos into a puzzle~! The old make your own card is still available to work with and take home. There are spots around the lovely ice lake where you can just sit , relax by the fire and watch the skating. There is also a scary sled ride if you have the nerve. Look for the underground entrance and good luck!

Skating here is so much fun. The ice is delightful and one can use the skate balls or  your own AO. The best part is entering the magnificent Castle. This is an experience you must not miss.The ride through is a guided tour that takes you back in time to all the favorite old and newer Christmas movies beloved by all. I am happy to be reminded of those not to miss again on TV.

There is a music attachment to use while skating through. I love it!

Hopefully Santa will be there and you can get a picture before you leave.  

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Belle%20Vie/115/215/149

Gemma Cleanslate

Devon Dream and Caledon Downs

By Bixyl Shuftan

There's so many Christmas-themed places in Second Life, there's too many to write about. But we can mention a few good examples. Gemma Cleanslate has mentioned plenty, and may continue to write about winter-themed lands. But with December 25 almost here, I thought I might mention two favorite places of mine, Devon Dream and Caledon Downs.

Devon Dream is owned by Safra Nitely. Every year, she sets up a Christmas-themed display. Among the things one can do is ride a train.

In this display, it seems Rudolph is getting a little stubborn in regards to where the elf wants him to go.

 There's a frozen pond with bumper card in the shape of teacups.

Some nice relaxing scenery to check out.

And when night falls, one can see the aurora.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Devon%20Dream/77/102/23

Another place to check out is Caledon Downs in the Caledon community. Owned by Cynthia Farshore, this December "The Christmas Express" is back. You can ride it by heading to the station.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Downs/196/114/44

Once it arrives, you have thirty seconds to find a seat to get on. It can be a little tricky as it's easy to end up sitting on the wrong part of the seat. But it won't be long before you're off and in the air.

And you're soon at Santa's Secret Base, presumably near the North Pole.

There are things to do there, such as this sled ride. While there, one can listen to the KGYG stream, which had plenty of Christmas tunes.

 Santa and his elves are busy at work.

There's a warm, and detailed looking, kitchen area.

Caledon Downs of course is just one sim. To the north at Caledon Moors, there was a ski slope one could ski on. One could just walk up, or take the ski lift (elevator) to the top.

One can pick up skis and skates at a couple points there, midpoint and at the top. You can also teleport there from midpoint.

Getting the hang of skiing with the provided skis can be a little tricky. But before you know it, you'll be going downhill.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Moors/53/115/21

There's a lot more to see at Caledon, so feel free to walk around.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Bixyl Shuftan