This is the time of year when families often travel home for the holidays. We always suggest and encourage that this is a good time to start the conversation about estate planning.  Clients share with me that once they have the first conversation, the subsequent conversations are easier and more productive. Give the conversation a try! 

Make time for fun, experiences, and traditions with your loved ones during the holidays. We live in wonderful communities with local opportunities. We have collected several for you and your families during the holidays. 

Breakfast with Santa 

• Kiwanis Club of Williamsport: Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, December 13th from 8 am to 11 am at First Church Williamsport: Christian Life Center. Each child will receive a 4×6 printed photo with Santa, a small gift and a book. 
• Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, December 13th from 8 am to 11 am at American Legion Post #35 Hughesville. All-you-can-eat. 
• Breakfast with Santa, Sunday, December 14th from 8 am to 1 pm, Picture Rocks Volunteer Fire Department. Photos with Santa, cookie decorating, face painting, letters to Santa, all benefitting Jessica Ann Hicks Foundation, PA, “Helping Children Fight Cancer.” 

Storytime 

• Olive, the Other Reindeer Storytime, Sunday, December 14th 12 pm – 1 pm at The Otto Bookstore, 107 W 4th Street, Williamsport. Free. Read-aloud of Olive the Other Reindeer, a hands-on craft and hot chocolate. 
• Letters to Santa Storytime, Sunday, December 21st 12 pm – 1 pm at The Otto Bookstore. Free. Read-aloud of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, writing letters to Santa, hands-on-craft to make a paper Christmas wreath. 
• Holiday Storytime, Sunday, December 28th 12 pm – 1 pm at The Otto Bookstore. Free. Read-aloud of Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, create a snow globe, winter sing-along and more. 

Theatre and music 

• A Christmas Carol, through Sunday, December 14th at the Community Theatre League, 100 W 3rd Street, Williamsport. 
• Jingle All the Way, Friday, December 12th at 7:30 pm, Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, 220 W 4th Street, Williamsport Get tickets 
• WAHS Holiday Concert with Bands, Choirs & Orchestras, Sunday, December 14th at 3 pm, Williamsport Area High School, 2990 W 4th Street, Williamsport 
• Lessons & Carols, Sunday, December 14th 4 pm – 5:30 pm, Trinity Episcopal Church, 844 W 4th Street, Williamsport 
• WCJO Holiday Jazz Concert, Friday, December 19th 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm, Community Theatre League, 100 W 3rd Street, Williamsport, $25 www.ctlshows.com  
• The Poetry of Promise Christmas Cantata, Sunday, December 21st 10:45 am – 2 pm, First United Methodist Church, 602 S Market Street, Muncy 

Events 

• Junior League Holiday Auction, Thursday, December 11th at 6 pm at the Holiday Inn Williamsport. Ladies’ night out. Silent auction, appetizers, live music. Buy tickets.  
• Wine & Brew Fest with Santa & The Grinch, Saturday, December 13th 10 am – 6 pm, Rust & SHINE, 600 Cemetery Street, Williamsport 
• Park and Shop Williamsport COOKIE CRAWL, Saturday, December 13th at 10 am. Each shop will have a cookie for you to taste and a recipe to collect while they last! Finish your shopping and have a yummy cookie!  
• Nature Ornament Decorating, December 13th 10 am – 11:30 am at Abide Coffeehouse, 23 West Market Street, Wilkes-Barre, $10 members of North Branch Land Trust, $10 non-members. Register here. 
• Kringlefest ’25, Sunday, December 14th 11 am – 3 pm at 750 Susquehanna Trail Road, Muncy. Free. Free visits with Santa, Grinch and others. Food trucks, 40 market vendors, music, free visits and photos with mini horses, holiday games for kids (pay to play) 
• Sip & Shop, Thursday, December 18th 4 pm – 7 pm, Rust & SHINE, 600 Cemetery Street, Williamsport 
• Home for the Holidays, Saturday, December 20th 10 am – 6 pm. Santa will be there from 10 am – 12 pm.  Rust & SHINE, 600 Cemetery Street, Williamsport 

Living nativity 

• The Gift – A Musical Drama by Back Mountain Harvest, December 12th, 13th at 6 and 8 pm and 14th at 6 pm at Harvest Church, 340 Carverton Road, Trucksville   
• Lycoming Centre Presbyterian Church, Saturday, December 13th and Sunday, December 14th, 6 pm – 8:30 pm, 656 West Creek Road, Cogan Station, Free, but need reservation. Call 272-230-4983 
• “Hear the Angels Sing”, 453 S Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, December 12th and 13th, 4 half hour performances each night at 6, 6:30, 7 and 7:30 pm. 41 actors, live animals, ballet performance, sign language team.   

See the lights 

Take a drive and see the area’s offerings for lights and light shows.  Here are a few options:   

• Knoebels Joy Through the Grove runs through December 31st (closed on December 24th and 25th) with some fun promotional nights 
• Check out Berwick’s Christmas Boulevard through December 31st.  
• South Williamsport’s Candy Cane Lane in the 200 Block Summer Street, Duboistown, PA. Santa will be on Candy Cane Lane on Saturday, December 13th 6 pm – 8:30 pm 
• Festival of Lights, Stone Hedge – Golf Course through December 31st, 55 Stonehedge Drive, Tunkhannock, $30 per vehicle.  

Indoor projects 

Is it too chilly outside?  

• Want to teach your children or grandchildren how to cook and have fun at the same time?  Check out 16 Cooking Classes for Kids of All Ages. 
• DIY Hanukkah decorations with your friends and loved ones. DIY menorah ideas; Hanukkah decorations DIY. 
• DIY Christmas wreath 

Outdoor options 

If you do not mind a little bit of chill in the air . . .  

• Do a bonfire or make s’mores over a firepit  or inside in your oven. This might be a nice get-together for a few people any day throughout the holiday season.   
• Make a pinata in the shape of a seasonal character or object and fill it with candy, toys or things that would cause excitement in those young and old. Allow everyone to hit it outside. 
• Make a snowman and have a snowball fight.  
• If there has been a recent snowstorm, grab your shovel or snow blower and clear the sidewalk and driveway for an elderly neighbor or person with a disability.
• Join the folks at the Electric City Trolley Museum for a very merry trolley ride December 21st.  Deposit your letters to Santa and get a special visit from the big man in red all the way from the North Pole. 

Have a Virtual Party 

Are you loved ones scattered across the country or the globe? Have a virtual Christmas party, for family, friends or office.  The list includes holiday bingo, karaoke, a scavenger hunt, cheery holiday playlists, ugly sweater, charity donations, gratitude ceremonies and more.   

Review (or start) your estate planning? 

Just as holiday traditions are important, it is similarly significant to make sure that you have your legal documents in place in the event of a crisis.  Many people are affected by a health crisis.  The ones that planned and had those conversations with loved ones can navigate it more easily.  The ones that did not plan are having challenges like dealing with inability to access financial sources to pay for care without going to the courts or having internal family confusion and dissention, to name a few.  Marshall, Parker & Weber is open and available to you virtually.  Check out our website for blog articles, videos and webinars to help you assess whether your plan is in good shape.