Holidays

Why Even The Biggest Grinch Will Fall In Love With Fa La Land, the New LA Christmas Popup

My husband hates pop-ups.  He hates taking pictures.  He hates being IN pictures.  So what was he doing at the latest LA Christmas pop-up?  My brother bought us all tickets knowing I would love it and not realizing hubby might hate it.  Haha so it was to my great surprise and delight to see my pop-up grinch of a husband actually enjoy himself for once – AND put on a Christmas sweater for pics to boot! (mind blown)

This was all of course thanks to the incredibly joyful staff at Fala Land who had magical grinch-defying powers and contagious Christmas cheer.  They were so high on life (and maybe drunk on too many Red Bulls ?) that you couldn’t help but smile in unison and laugh at their silly antics.  Only they could make communicating the rules of the pop-up seem fun, not boring…similar to how Jet Blue airlines creatively makes their announcements onboard humorous rather than bland.  And only they could chant “put on that sweater, put on that sweater” in such a convincing way as to actually make my husband listen to me and put on the ugly Christmas sweater I brought for him to wear.  And for that I am forever grateful!

Have you heard of Fa La Land?  It’s a holiday-themed pop-up where you can get your Santa pics AND enough fodder to fill your Instagram feed for the next month! Each room was highly stylized and every corner bursted with vibrant colors and classic Christmas scenes.  And like all pop-ups, each room had fun interactive elements.

Winter Wonderland? Check. Here you got to meet and chat with Mrs. Claus, write a letter to Santa and mail it and walk through the naughty or nice door of your choice.

Elf on the shelf and a spinning wheel to determine which list you should write your name on? Check.

Psychedelic Christmas tree forest where you have to search for the hiding elf? Check.

Ball Pit?  Check

Supersized, candy swing? Check.

And the most spectacular santa pic? Check!

For more info. on this fantastically festive popup, and to buy tickets, click here!

Fa La Land is located at the ROW DTLA 787 S. Alameda StreetLos Angeles, CA 90021 in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.

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Koziar’s Christmas Village What To Know Before You Go

Nothing puts me in the Christmas spirit more than walking through a winter wonderland.  I just love holiday decor, Christmas music and all the sparkly lights so seeing a Christmas village is always high on my holiday bucket list.  So how could I not see what Display World Magazine has dubbed, the “best outdoor Christmas Display IN THE WORLD.”  I know… what an amazing title, huh?  Here’s the initial view of Koziar’s Christmas Village that you get upon driving up.

Our jaws dropped!  It was so extensive, so elaborate, so mind-blowing that even our car full of jaded New Yorkers were impressed!

What a happy place it was!

So the story goes that what originally started as a decorated house and dairy farm soon became a sensation when Mr. Koziar’s Christmas display grew year-by-year into a massive holiday spectacle.  Now you can see everything from a giant train display to a lit-up lake!  There were so many delightful sights along the trail including this supersized Santa!

Every turn showcased such a charming display of nostalgic Christmas tales, characters and scenes.

Cute costumed characters greeted us, and as we winded down each trail we enjoyed a game of “I Spy” with fun – to -find items like the Snoopy cast, a land of santas, Grinch storybook pages, more!  Check out this adorable, vintage tea party scene found when we peeked into a playhouse!  Who else loved Raggedy Ann and Andy as a child?

Some criticized online that the displays were dated.  But I kind of enjoyed the old-world charm of seeing classic characters line the paths and feeling like I was going back in time to a magical and charming Christmas world.  It helped that we went in November when the Christmas crowds had not yet come out in full force of course.

About a 2.5 hour drive from downtown, Manhattan, this destination was totally worth it!  But know before you go.

Here are our top tips for your next trip to Koziar’s Christmas Village:

BRING

• cash! The cash line is 3 x faster than the regular line.  And trust me, you want to minimize your time waiting around in the cold outdoors
• warm weather accessories.  Do NOT forget that scarf, mittens, hat and/or earmuffs.  Consider bringing an extra blanket especially if you have kids with strollers.  There are few indoor stops along the way, many of which have lines to get in so bundle up to really be able to enjoy the night out.
• tissues.  We saw many people sniffling without access to tissues.  Bring your own.

KNOW

• There’s one main bathroom near the entrance and porta potties scattered throughout.  Go before you go..
• It will take you around 1-1.5hours to get through the place depending on how long you take at each shop along the way, how many photos you stop to take etc.
• Avoid Saturdays because I hear the traffic into the place alone could take you up to 45 minutes per mile.
• Get there before it opens to avoid wasting time in lines.
• Thanksgiving thru January 1st:
  Mon. – Fri. 6 – 9 pm | Sat. 5 – 9:30 pm | Sun. 5 – 9 pm
  Open EVERY night to Jan. 1st
• You can take a picture with Santa here..just have to find him in one of the miniature houses.
• BUY the cookie!  OMG these chocolate chip cookies (which are warmed up for you) are SO good and only a dollar I think?
• 3 & Under – FREE |  4 to 10 – $10.00
  11 to 64 – $12.00 | Seniors (65+) – $11.00 and guess what… Parking is FREE.  I know… you NY-ers just fainted on me…
• To navigate the parking lot and remember where you left your car, drop a pin on your phone or text someone in your party directions
• If you are using a camera, know which settings to use during the night.
• Work out a plan if a member of your party becomes separated.
• 782 Christmas Village Rd, Bernville, PA 19506-8810 (It’s near Lancaster PA where we toured through and sightsaw the next day)

Have you been to a Christmas village before? If so, where and would you recommend it?

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