Welcome to the madness, fellow nerds. Here are some ways to ramp up or chill out this weekend in New Jersey:
Friday, Dec 2:
Artsy and Crafty Nerds have plenty to keep them busy this weekend. First up is the
Morristown Armory Holiday Craft Fair, starting today and running all weekend ($7 admission).
Book Nerds (and let's face it, Holiday Nerds) can experience an elaborate staged radio play version of
A Christmas Carol at The Raconteur Bookshop in Metuchen ($10 suggested donation). This iconic shop
will close next month, so check out their events while you still can.
Movie (and Media) Nerds may be interested in
The Walton's 40th Reunion at the Loews Jersey City theater tonight, featuring a screening and some original cast members ($20)! Curiouser and curiouser.
Main Street Nerds can visit
Boonton this evening for its Holiday Open House and Window Walk; stores will be open late, shoppers can vote on window displays for a chance to win money, and carriage and antique car tours of the holiday lights will be available. Central Jersey Main Street Nerds should get a curbside seat in Clinton as their annual Dickens Days continue with a
Christmas Parade.
Activist Nerds will be happy to shop at the
Gifts of Conscience Holiday Gift Fair at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship tonight and throughout the weekend, featuring gifts from Ten Thousand Villages and other do-the-right-thing sort of organizations.
Nerds with Kids may want to visit the
Turtle Back Zoo's Holiday Lights Spectacular, running throughout the weekend (FREE).
Saturday, Dec 3:
Frelinghuysen Arboretum also hosts a craft fair this weekend, but the big draw is probably the outlandish
gingerbread houses on display ($2 suggested donation).
Central Jersey Artsy Nerds should check out
Off the Wall today at the West Windsor Arts Center, showcasing "affordable art exhibit" during which you can literally take your purchases off the wall (FREE admission).
See the Winter Wonders lights display at
Grounds for Sculpture from a horse-drawn carriage (Grounds admission price).
Winter Holiday Festival at Lord Stirling Stable in Basking Ridge will include crafty things, hayrides, Santa, and displays of horse-riding prowess (FREE).
Morristown Armory Holiday Craft Fair ($7 admission).
A Christmas Carol at The Raconteur Bookshop in Metuchen ($10 suggested donation).
Gifts of Conscience Holiday Gift Fair at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship.
Turtle Back Zoo's Holiday Lights Spectacular (FREE).
Sunday, Dec 4:
Ramapo Valley Railroad holds an open house so Nerds with Kids can see a "massive train layout with mountains, cities, rivers, yards, a windmill, and more, with plenty of trains, and plenty of free parking."
Morristown Armory Holiday Craft Fair ($7 admission).
Gifts of Conscience Holiday Gift Fair at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship.
Turtle Back Zoo's Holiday Lights Spectacular (FREE).
And as we tumble headlong into this holiday season, an admonition from one nerd to another: Shop local. Shop Main Street. Make a day of it and enjoy the unique character of our cute Jersey towns, instead of the barren sameness of a mall parking garage. Walk around outside, instead of in recycled air. Make friends with shopkeepers, instead of dealing with surly teenagers. Help preserve small businesses, instead of giant corporations. And most of all, find truly unique and interesting gifts (or gift certificates) for those you love.
