5 Downtown Christmas Traditions Not to Miss

1. Buy a Christmas tree from the good people of St. Marys on Third Street in German Village. Sure, they can be a little on the Charlie Brown side, but where else can you find a smokey fire barrel keeping people warm next to a busy sidewalk crowded with holiday shoppers and coffee shop goers.


2. While you're there, head two streets east to Fifth where you'll find the nearly-hidden home of Bierberg Christmas Cookies. This fourth-generation Old-World enterprise is open only three months of the year (October - December). Duck into their tiny front office for some tasty samples and memorable holiday treats.


3. It wouldn't be Christmas in the capital city without a little gawking at the statehouse Christmas tree. Then cross the street to the Riffe Center for some holiday theater. Sure, it's campy and native to many cities, but CATCO's performance of The Santaland Diaries is nothing short of delightful.


4. Give something back through Bethlehem on Broad. This multi-church holiday effort feeds 1200 families in our city and includes a big Christmas-day feast and a free call  home for anyone who needs it.


5. Since you're downtown, there's a good chance you are without a proper garage. So, it's also the time of year to spend a few minutes every morning with your neighbors. All cussing angrily at frozen over cars, banging about with flimsy plastic ice scrapers and lining up at bumpers to push one another out of the snow.