Christmas Events in St. George – 2017 Guide

The holidays are here, and St. George is celebrating the Christmas spirit with events occurring all throughout December. With the Jubilee of Trees and Santa’s Workshop Christmas Gift Show at the Dixie Convention Center already done, mark your calendars for events to bring the entire family to before Christmas.

Christmas in the Canyon

This year, Tuacahn is celebrating the holidays in multiple ways. Christmas in the Canyon, running from November 24-December 23, where Tuacahn’s campus is decorated in Christmas lights and music on the plaza. Hot chocolate and other concessions are available as you walk around and look at the Christmas lights, along with an open fire. Gifts for the holidays are also available. A live nativity runs from 7-8 p.m. for $2 a person, where acting, music, and narration combine thanks to volunteer groups that put on the story of the birth of Christ. The nativity also includes live animals, such as camels, in this performance. An ice-skating rink surrounded by the beautiful red cliffs of Tuacahn is open to the public for $7 a person ($5 per person for a group) from 5-9 p.m. Santa Claus is available from 6-8 p.m. on these nights, as well as a holiday train ride on the Old Salty Train, thanks to Ruby’s Inn. For more info, visit tuacahn.org.

Fairy Tale Christmas 

Also at Tuacahn this year is Fairy Tale Christmas, a musical by Scott & Michael McLean based on their award-winning book. This musical was performed at the 2016 New York Fringe Festival, and is now coming to Tuacahn’s stage, telling the creative tale of classic villains from fairy tales attempting to kidnap Santa Claus. This musical runs from December 1-23. For seating and other information, visit tuacahn.org.

‘A Christmas Story’ The Musical 

The St. George Musical Theater at the St. George Opera House will be putting a creative twist on the classic holiday film, A Christmas Story. Tickets are $17-21 and can be purchased at sgmusicaltheater.com. Hosted at the historic opera house on main street, this musical runs Thursdays-Saturdays and Mondays at 7:30 p.m. through December 16.

The Forgotten Carols

This classic play put on by Dixie State University, also organized by Michael McLean, tells the story of a nurse whose life is changed by a patient who retells the story of Christ. It is suggested for children 5+, and children over the age of 2 require a ticket. This play will be available  Dec. 6 – 7 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance at 4 p.m. on Dec. 7 at the Cox Auditorium, 350 S. 700 E. in St. George. Tickets are available at tickets.dsutix.com and range from $19.50 – $36.50.

The Nutcracker Ballet 

For the 24th year, Westside Studio of Performing arts here in St. George will be putting on their annual production of the classic Nutcracker Ballet, complete with mice, soldiers, and the Sugar Plum Fairy with the talented cast and dancers of this local studio. Directed by Sheila Bailey, the performances for this run from December 15-19 at 7:30 p.m., and a matinee showing December 16 at 2 p.m. The ballet will be held at Desert Hills High School and is $15-20 to attend and can be purchased here.

2017 St. George Christmas Light Spectacular 

HedgeHog Electric is hosting a new tradition in St. George and Washington County this year – an event recognizing the most festive of lights in the county, with a provided map for viewers to drive around and look at the lights of local homeowners who are dedicated to creating beautiful light scenes in their yards. You could win a $300 Visa gift card if you go on the tour and post a picture to Facebook or a social media site by using the hashtag #StGeorgeChristmasMap. The Kuhn home – a home that won $50,000 from ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight – will be available this year, with activities that go on throughout the month as well. For more info on the Christmasn Light Spectacular, including the map, click here. For HedgeHog Electric’s Facebook page, which also has details of the event, click here.

The Spirit of Christmas at DiFiore Center 

An interactive holiday puppet show will be hosted this year at the DiFiore Center, at 307 N Main St, St George. This show is great for the kids and a good way to kick off the holiday season on December 16 from 7-9 p.m. For more info, visit the website here.

GENTRI’s Finding Christmas 

A cinematic pop performance put on by the trio of tenors whose Christmas album made the iTunes top 10 holiday list next to other artists like Michael Buble and Pentatonix. GENTRI will be at Dixie State University on December 18 at 7:30 pm, with $30 reserved seating to enjoy this performance with holiday classics and more. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.dsutix.com.

Wreaths Across America Ceremony

To honor deceased veterans this holiday season, Wreaths Across America Ceremony is an event at the Tonaquint and Shivwits Paiute Cemeteries to honor Amerca’s veterans by placing wreaths on their gravesites on December 16 at 10 am. This event is freeto attend. To donate to this event, you can go to donate.wreathsacrossamerica.org to help this tradition continue to grow.

 

An Intimate Evening – A Kurt Bestor Christmas

The 30th annual A Kurt Bestor Christmas will be held at the Lorraine Boccardo Theatre at the Center for the Arts at Kayenta offer an intimate holiday gathering with a performance from Kurt Bestor – singer, songwriter, and composer. Tickets are available at kayentaarts.com for the two performances on Friday and Saturday (December 8th and 9th) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 until Nov. 27th $40 after $60 ticket includes premier seating and after party with Kurt Bestor. For more info, visit his Facebook page here.

Temple Lights and Downtown St. George Lights

One of St. George’s most welcoming sights during the holiday season is its abundance of lights in its historic district – namely the Temple, with its grounds decorated in an abundance of multicolored lights, as well as Main Street and Town Square. Once these lights turn on in the evening, take a walk through Downtown St. George to enjoy the holiday spirit the city has to offer.

Dickens Festival 

The Dickens Festival is an annual craft and shopping show with food and live entertainment. Nov. 29 thru Dec. 2, 2017 (Wednesday through Saturday) at the Dixie Convention Center from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Olde English themed shops, costumes, and fortune tellers make this event fun for the kids and unique experience this holiday season. If you’re looking for unique gifts and quality merchandise from local vendors, this festival is great for you. This event is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors (65+), $5 for children (4-12), and children 3 and under get in for free.

Temple Lights and Downtown St. George Lights

One of St. George’s most welcoming sights during the holiday season is its abundance of lights in its historic district – namely the Temple, with its grounds decorated in an abundance of multicolored lights, as well as Main Street and Town Square. Once these lights turn on in the evening, take a walk through Downtown St. George to enjoy the holiday spirit the city has to offer.

 

Fun Halloween Decoration Ideas

Halloween is right around the corner and instead of buying those Christmas decorations that are on sale for some reason, do some fun Halloween ideas. There are a lot of different ideas out there but these are some of our favorites.

 

  • Headless Horseman

 

  • candySpider Plates

 

  • platesPumpkin Cats

 

  • Cobwebs… Lots of cobwebs

 

 

  • Ghosts
    pumpkincats

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

  • Tombstones

 

  • Bats

 

ghost

  • Pumpkin Family

 

 

graveyardbats

 

 

 

 

pumpkin

Filling Your Home With Thanksgiving

pie-1024x681

Ways to Give Back and Give Thanks

Is there a more thrilling time of year than the present? There’s the change in the weather, time spent with family at home and the holiday season. Although there are downsides to the colder temperatures, there is so much goodness to look forward to and be a part of.

During this holiday season we hope that everyone can fill their home, but even more so the hearts of others, with love. Here are some great ideas on how to give back this year.

Donate

Many people are in need of basic necessities right here in our own neighborhood of St. George. Give back by donating food, clothing, or simply giving of your time. There are nearly endless projects to get involved in during the holidays that pay big dividends for those that choose to serve.

Create

Are you an incredible baker? Do you love to paint? Are you really good at creating crafts? Use the talents you’ve been given to better someone’s life. A warm loaf of bread or beautiful mural can change a person’s whole outlook on their situation. Your actions can brighten a day for a person who is struggling or just down on their luck.

Do Good

As you’re driving home from work or just out on a nice stroll, look for someone to help and lift. Write someone a letter or a kind Facebook message. Smile at someone you don’t know or compliment someone for a good quality you see in them. Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while but could use a pick-me-up. Pay for someone’s groceries or for someone’s food in the drive-through. The list is endless.

Give

Our world is often selfish and shortsighted. Surprise someone and give just because you have the capacity to do so. Don’t expect anything in return for your gift. Our world needs more people that give without the thought of a “return on their investment.”

This list is only the beginning to a holiday season full of true joy. We hope that your homes are full of love and thanks during this festive season.

Travel tips for summer vacations

You and your family are looking forward to some rest and relaxation away from your new homes in St. George humble abode. Before you pack your bags and go on holiday, take a look at these travel trips to ensure you have a wonderful and safe vacation.

Book your flight, rental car and housing reservations in advance to try to get the best deals. If you’re flying to your destination, try to book a non-stop flight versus a connecting flight. It’s easier and more convenient, especially if you’re traveling with young kids. If traveling by car, get your car checked out by a mechanic to ensure it’s ready for the road. Keep a spare tire, gas can and battery cables in your car.

Pack light and smart. There is no need to bring everything you own on vacation. Pack any medications your family members will need for the entire trip. Limit the number of credit cards and debit cards you take, leave your valuables at home and keep them all out of sight and in a safe place.

Look up the weather forecast for your trip. Bring a rain slicker or umbrella just in case you get an unexpected downpour.

Check around your home to make sure everything is locked up. Keep a light or two on to give the appearance you’re home. Don’t announce to the world you’re away, especially on Facebook and Twitter. The last thing you want to do is tell people you’re away from your new homes in St. George. Doing so is pretty much an open invitation for someone to break into your home.

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and to prevent fatigue and jet lag. Don’t bring sunburn home as a souvenir. Pack plenty of sunscreen and apply it at least 20 minutes before heading out in the sun.

Have a buddy system and a contingency plan if someone gets lost. Keep your phones charged and make sure every one has each other’s numbers. Let a relative or friend know your itinerary and where you’ll be at all times in case of an emergency.

You may want to suspend mail and newspaper delivery if you’re going to be away from your new homes in St. George for an extended period of time. If you don’t want to do that, you can always entrust a family member, friend or Ence Home neighbor to pick up your deliveries.

Leave your worries and stress at home. Have fun and enjoy your vacation.

Lighten up your home for summer

Gain ideas from these tips below to give your new home in St. George a fresher and lighter look.

  1. Create depth and open up your great room with a glass top coffee table.
  1. Replace your colored bath towels with white ones to lighten up the look in your bathroom.
  1. Remove your area rugs for the summer or replace them with bamboo or cotton ones.
  1. Swap out your heavier curtains with thinner ones to allow the sun to shine into your new home in St. George.
  1. Open up your windows and add a fan to cool down your home. There are many different styles to chose from that will add energy into your home.
  1. Change any dark colored picture frames and lampshades in your home with bright colored or white ones. This will infuse your home with summer colors and help lighten up your space.
  1. Pack up and store your winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves.
  1. Keep your property landscaped and lawn manicured to ensure it doesn’t become overgrown and unkempt.
  1. Bring in the fresh flowers and fruits from your garden and display them in your kitchen.
  1. Just like for any other season, do some summer cleaning to declutter your bedrooms, bathrooms, great room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room and garage.

These ten tips are sure to help you lighten up your new home in St. George during the summer months. After all, that is the key to decorating during this season. Don’t forget to like our page on Facebook.

Fun Summer Activities for Kids at home

The kids are out for the summer and you’re looking for ways to keep them busy over break. Though they have chores to do and summer homework and reading assignments to complete, they should have some fun, right? Here are six pleasurable activities for your kids to enjoy at your new home in St. George.

  1. Have your aspiring horticulturalists make a potted plant with their favorite flower or veggie to water, nurture and watch grow all summer long. It’ll also help them be responsible.
  1. Invite your kid’s friends over for a backyard camp out. You can help them pitch their tent while setting the ground rules for the night. They can try to catch lightning bugs and make S’mores in your fire pit, with your supervision of course. They’re sure to have a good time staying up all night telling stories and having fun inside the tent.
  1. Encourage your kids to stay fit during the summer by turning your new home in St. George backyard into a play land. A tree swing is sure to keep them busy all summer long while running through a sprinkler or down a water slide will help them cool down from the summer heat.
  1. For bragging rights amongst siblings, set up a friendly tournament or challenge with their favorite video games and board games.
  1. Plan a night outside to stargaze. This is perfect for parents with elementary and middle school-aged children to teach them about the solar system in a fun way. Turn it into a neighborhood event by inviting your fellow Ence Homes neighbors over for some BBQ and then an evening of stargazing.
  1. Take an arts and crafts project to a higher level. Help your kids put together a bird feeder. This is sure to keep them occupied for hours. After it’s decorated and the feeder is filled with seeds, hang it up in your backyard. We suggest placing it in an area that’s easy to see from your new home in St. George. This is one summer activity that you and your family can enjoy throughout the year as the birds come to visit and eat the seeds you’ve put out for them.

Travel tips for summer vacations

You and your family are looking forward to some rest and relaxation away from your new homes in St. George humble abode. Before you pack your bags and go on holiday, take a look at these travel trips to ensure you have a wonderful and safe vacation.

Book your flight, rental car and housing reservations in advance to try to get the best deals. If you’re flying to your destination, try to book a non-stop flight versus a connecting flight. It’s easier and more convenient, especially if you’re traveling with young kids. If traveling by car, get your car checked out by a mechanic to ensure it’s ready for the road. Keep a spare tire, gas can and battery cables in your car.

Pack light and smart. There is no need to bring everything you own on vacation. Pack any medications your family members will need for the entire trip. Limit the number of credit cards and debit cards you take, leave your valuables at home and keep them all out of sight and in a safe place.

Look up the weather forecast for your trip. Bring a rain slicker or umbrella just in case you get an unexpected downpour.

Check around your home to make sure everything is locked up. Keep a light or two on to give the appearance you’re home. Don’t announce to the world you’re away, especially on Facebook and Twitter. The last thing you want to do is tell people you’re away from your new homes in St. George. Doing so is pretty much an open invitation for someone to break into your home.

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and to prevent fatigue and jet lag. Don’t bring sunburn home as a souvenir. Pack plenty of sunscreen and apply it at least 20 minutes before heading out in the sun.

Have a buddy system and a contingency plan if someone gets lost. Keep your phones charged and make sure every one has each other’s numbers. Let a relative or friend know your itinerary and where you’ll be at all times in case of an emergency.

You may want to suspend mail and newspaper delivery if you’re going to be away from your new homes in St. George for an extended period of time. If you don’t want to do that, you can always entrust a family member, friend or Ence Home neighbor to pick up your deliveries.

Leave your worries and stress at home. Have fun and enjoy your vacation.

Fun ways to celebrate Mother’s Day 5/13

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13th. It’s a day set aside to honor and celebrate mothers. If you haven’t figure out what you’re doing yet, here are ten fun ways to celebrate Mom on her special day.

  1. Celebrate Mom with a bouquet or arrangement of her favorite flowers. She can wake up to these colorful, fresh and fabulous flowers in her master bedroom.
  2. Give Mom a helping hand and the day off by cleaning up and organizing around the house.
  3. Complete a project around your new homes in St. George, UT residence that Mom has been waiting for you to get to.
  4. Forget about making brunch or dinner reservations. With the help of your kids, cook up a lovely brunch or dinner for Mom with a side of love. Make it a family affair by inviting over all the special women in your life for a home cooked gourmet meal.
  5. Take Mom to the local gardening store to pick up her favorite plants and flowers to plant around your home.
  6. Dust off those bikes that have been in your new homes in St. George, UT garage all winter and take the family on a bike ride around your neighborhood.
  7. Create a video or a song with your kids expressing how much Mom means to your family.
  8. If Mom loves to get down, give her a gift certificate to a dance studio for ballroom dancing or salsa dancing lessons.
  9. Design a homemade arts and crafts project for Mom filled with pictures and other designs that she can use as decorations.
  10. Throw Mom a surprise Mother’s Day party at your new homes in St. George, UT house. There’s enough space inside and out to celebrate Mom with her favorite music, food and games on her special day.

7 Tips for Easy Spring Cleaning

Spring is in the air. That means it’s time to dust off your broom and mop and start Spring cleaning at your Southern Utah Home for Sale. However, Spring cleaning doesn’t mean you have to spend long hours laboring in each room until your new home is spotless. Here are a few tips from Ence Homes for keeping the cleaning simple, easy, and stress-free. Share your best Spring cleaning tips with us on Facebook.

  1. First make a list. What areas of your new home need cleaning? Then, prioritize your list. What needs to be done first? Once you have your list and your priorities straight, you can tackle your cleaning in a more organized fashion.
  1. Break your Spring Cleaning list up into chunks. Spend no more than 15-30 minutes per day cleaning. This will help keep you from feeling overwhelmed and taking on more cleaning than you are up for at your Southern Utah home for sale.
  2. Start cleaning one room at a time. It’s easier to tick projects off your list if you start in one room and break up the projects into sections. You will also feel more accomplished and motivated once you have finished cleaning one room.
  3. Start your list by de-cluttering each room. It’s difficult to clean behind furniture or other hard to reach places if there is too much stuff in the way. Once you have cleaned away the clutter, you can really clean your living spaces.
  4. When organizing your clutter, try the three pile system. Make a pile for things that you need, one for things that you don’t need but really want, and a discard pile. Place damaged, broken, or items you never use in the discard pile and then donate or throw them out when you are finished organizing.
  5. Try using green cleaning products at your Southern Utah home for sale. Instead of using harsh chemicals to clean your home, try using products that are less harmful to the environment. You will feel better about cleaning once you try them.
  6. Make cleaning fun. Listen to music or books on tape while you clean. Don’t forget to dance around and sing into your pretend microphone while you do. It’s okay to have fun while you are cleaning, especially since it will feel less like chores and work.

St. George Parade of Homes

The 22nd Annual St. George Parade of Homes took place last month for ten days. Running from February 17th-16th, this  southern utah home builders Association and Zions Bank co-sponsored event showcased twenty-eight homes. This was the largest number of homes ever displayed in the history of the twenty-two year event.This annual event was an opportunity for Southern Utah residents and visitors to preview what’s new in home building and connect with contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and interior decorators.

Attendees were able to gain insight on the latest innovations while getting ideas for decorating their home and landscaping during the self-guided tour. Those who turned out had a chance to enter free giveaways for a chance to win amazing prizes.

One of the twenty-eight homes showcased included one of our homes. The Southwestern-Tuscan style, Arroyo Roja, was the Ence Home 2012 St. George Parade of Homes featured during the event. It’s a 2,228 square feet and is comprised of four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

A banquet kicked of the St. George Parade of Homes at the Dixie Center on Thursday, February 16th to honor the achievements of those involved in making this event happen. Featured was guest entertainer, Jason Hewlett. This great impersonator and entertainer performed hits by Michael Jackson, Nat King Cole, U2, Cat Stevens, Ricky Martin and Alvin & The Chipmunks.

Though you missed this year’s event and great entertainment from Jason Hewlett, be sure to stay tuned for details on next year’s St. George Parade of Homes.