Holidays.MyNC.com

The Christmas Nativity will come to life tonight at Raleigh’s Mount Vernon Baptist Church.

Here’s a look at the drive-thru nativity from last year. It’s complete with a manager, live animals, the supper and other scenes from the Bible.

The living nativity is open from 6 to 8 p.m. through Sunday, December 7.

Remember how people in North Carolina’s piedmont celebrated the holidays 140 years ago at the Duke Homestead State Historic Site Friday, Dec. 5, and Friday, Dec. 12. From 7-9 p.m. each evening, the old Duke family homestead will literally glow during the free “Christmas by Candlelight” program, which evokes a typical Christmas in the 1870s. Both nights, visitors can tour the Duke family’s 19th-century farmhouse by candlelight, gather in the parlor to sing carols, enjoy apple cider and sugar cookies, and sample popcorn cooked the old-fashioned way over a roaring bonfire. (more…)

NBC17’s Sharon Tazewell explains how to have an inexpensive holiday this season by providing information on how to save money on shipping gifts, how to budget your holiday spending and links to free online coupons and where to compare product prices.  Stay tuned to NBC17 News at 7 p.m.

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The longest-running planetarium show in the world is back at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center for its 59th season. “Star of Bethlehem” returns to the weekend show schedule Nov. 22-Jan. 1.
“Star of Bethlehem,” a seasonal show, gives guests an opportunity to explore the many theories behind the legendary, mysterious star. The show presents several possible explanations - was it a comet, a shooting star or a major eclipse? Viewers can decide for themselves.
Former WRAL-TV anchorman Charlie Gaddy narrates as several UNC scholars discuss the scientific, historical and religious aspects of this celestial event.
For show times and more information, visit <www.moreheadplanetarium.org>. To reserve group tickets, call Guest Relations at (919) 962-1236. Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is located at 250 E. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, NC.

WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — Get in the holiday spirit by taking part in Historic Oak View’s “Sleigh Rides and Cider: A Winter Night at Oak View” annual winter event. Decorations and displays from 1850 to 1950 will be on view in the Main House. Visitors are invited to take horse-drawn carriage rides, listen to Christmas carols, drink hot apple cider and visit with Old St. Nick. The event is free and open to the public. For information, call 250-1013. Historic Oak View County Park is located at 4028 Carya Drive, Raleigh.

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It’s a sound of the season.  Today marked the official kickoff for the red kettle campaign. 
 

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If you plan on sending cards out this season and you are also feeling generous, buy some Christmas cards from KidsCards.org.  All of the proceeds will go to the North Carolina Children’s Hospital. 

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Many of us try to save money when it comes to buying holiday gifts for loved ones.  In fact some of us go to the extent of regifting.  Like the ‘Label Maker’ episode of Seinfeld, Elaine categorizes a character as a regifter after they give their gift from Elaine to Jerry.  Make sure you read of MSN Money’s 12 rules of regifting, so you’re not labeled a regifter.

Bringing back the experience of dancing to the music of great dance orchestras of the past, the Tune Swingers Orchestra, an authentic nineteen-piece big band, performs a live dance event Thursday, December 11 from 8-10:30pm on behalf of the Elks Lodge Army of Hope supporting North Carolina National Guard families. (more…)

Time Magazine wrote an article in 2006 on how to have a green holiday.  It seems everyone is going green or already “green.”  Why not continue the trend this Holiday season.  Check out Time Magazine’s article.