Published on 12/03/19

Santa arrives at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens Dec. 6

By Sadie Lackey

The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens (CGBG) at the Historic Bamboo Farm in Savannah, Georgia, has dressed its gardens with millions of lights in preparation for the arrival of Santa Claus on Dec. 6.

The gardens' annual December Nights and Holiday Lights celebration draws crowds from all over to celebrate the holidays in the Low Country. Open for the past two weeks, it has already attracted hundreds of visitors and will step up the excitement this week with the arrival of Santa Claus.

The eighth annual December Nights and Holiday Lights will run on select nights through Monday, Dec. 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. For a full schedule and ticket prices, visit coastalbg.uga.edu.

Shuttle service and overflow parking will be available from Southwest Elementary/Middle School parking lot on select nights.

CGBG uses the event to promote its participation as a designated drop-off site for Toys for Tots. A holiday wreath silent auction will be held on Friday, Dec. 13, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

CGBG is a unit of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Proceeds from the event allow CGBG to provide educational programming to both children and adults through tours, classes, workshops and special events throughout the year. For more information about specific nights and to purchase tickets, please visit coastalbg.uga.edu.

Sadie Lackey is a student writer for the CAES Office of Communications and Creative Services.

Authors:

Sadie Lackey

Experts/Sources:

Timothy Scott Davis

The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm in Savannah, Georgia, has dressed its gardens with millions of lights in preparation for the arrival of Santa Claus on Dec. 6. The light show runs through Dec. 23.

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The holiday season can be a time of anticipation and joy, but balancing multiple commitments and personalities across families and friends can be a source of stress for hosts and visitors alike.

Like preparing parts of the meal ahead of time to spend more of the holiday with guests, taking time ahead of the day to set expectations can go a long way to ensuring enjoyable gatherings, said Ted Futris, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of human development and family science in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

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December Nights and Holiday Lights will take place at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in Savannah on select nights from Nov. 25 through Dec. 24.

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To help create a less stressful holiday meal, University of Georgia Extension specialists offer these tips. Plan ahead.
Don't go it alone. Resist the urge to buy new things or try new recipes. Set realistic expectations for family affairs. Consider a seating chart. Remember, the traditional turkey your family has always enjoyed will round out your holiday meal much better than a half-frozen, half-cooked, deep-fried turkey would.

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