ContestsEvents

LISTEN LIVE

North Carolina Town One of the Best Places to Visit for Christmas

I know, it’s only about to be November but let’s be serious. Christmas begins on November 1. At least for me and the majority of my fellow Christmas lovers, we…

GALLERY: Pop Culture Events And Albums To Look Forward To In 2020

The Hallmark Channel’s #CountdownToChristmas 2020 movie series kicks off October 23.

(Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

I know, it's only about to be November but let's be serious. Christmas begins on November 1. At least for me and the majority of my fellow Christmas lovers, we want to enjoy as much time as possible to enjoy all of our holiday favorites. From home decor to gift shopping to planning your holiday celebration, its almost game time! I know some people do enjoy traveling for Christmas with their loved ones, so why not check out some of the best places to travel for Christmas? This year, Travel + Leisure released the 15 best places to go for Christmas in case you wanted to plan a trip this year. If so, luckily you may not have to travel too far from the Carolinas for one of the locations.

Travel + Leisure knows that the most wonderful time of the year can be spent anywhere you choose. It's time to get in the holiday spirit and feel all of the holiday love! If you and your loved ones were wondering where to go, we got you covered. One North Carolina city made the top 15, but can you guess which city that is? Highlands, North Carolina is one of the best destinations for a 2022 Christmas. This charming, small town will allow you to experience a true Hallmark movie Christmas. Just south of the Appalachian Mountains, Highlands is one of America's coziest places to visit for Christmas. If you enjoy the small-town charm, holiday movies, and family time then Highlands may be for you! The other 14 destinations include the following:

  • Jackson Hole, Wyoming
  • New York, New York (of course!)
  • Beaver Creek, Colorado
  • Saint Lucia
  • Solvang, California
  • Stowe, Vermont
  • Washington D.C.
  • Florida Keys, Florida
  • Santa Fe, New Mexico
  • London, United Kingdom
  • Rovaniemi, Finland
  • The Maldives
  • Bavaria, Germany
  • The Bahamas

If you're interested in spending the holidays at one of these cool destinations, check out the full list here and start planning your next vacation!

5 Ways To Recycle, Reuse Or Donate Unwanted Christmas Gifts

It's just the name of the game that sometimes presents, given with the best of intentions, just aren't right for you. Maybe it's a toy your child already has, a book you've already read, or something that just isn't your style. But it can be hard to know what to do with those unwanted gifts. Instead of just tossing them or letting them collect dust leading recycling and waste management experts Businesswaste.co.uk shared the best ways to re-purpose those unwanted Christmas gifts.

Revealed: 5 ways to recycle, reuse or donate unwanted Christmas presents

1. Donate toys to a children’s hospital

If your child receives a duplicate gift, or something that just isn't exciting for them, don't just let it sit and collect dust.Instead teach your child a lesson on giving back and make the day of a child who needs a smile. You can donate unwanted toys and children’s products to a children’s hospital or hospice near you.

2. Take books to a school or charity

If you’ve read the book already over the Christmas period, its one you already have the bookshelf or kindle, or maybe it's something your child will grow out of by next Christmas. If any of these apply check and see if your local school, library or charity shop is taking books. Another worthwhile organization, Books 2 Africa, donates over 20,000 books each month to schools and centers in Africa.

3. Make money by selling online

You've heard the saying one man's trash is another man's treasure. Just because it wasn't the perfect gift for you doesn't mean someone else wouldn't want it or even pay for it. There are plenty of options to resell online from Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, eBay, among others.  And if you choose to sell on eBay consider donating to charity whilst earning for yourself too. The site will give you the option to select a percentage of the proceeds to go to charity.

4. Re-gift

You never know when you may need a gift on hand. Keep those unwanted gifts in good condition and still in the packaging and use them as a birthday present, housewarming gift, etc. You avoid that dreaded last-minute shopping trip, save a little money, and that person may love the gift that just wasn't for you.

5. Save all the packaging for next year

You can still be sustainable with gifts you love. Save the gift bags, boxes, bows, etc to use next year. Also tissue paper and wrapping paper are recyclable as long as they don't have foil in them.

Randi Moultrie is a Charleston, South Carolina native and has been in the radio industry for the last few years in Charlotte. Randi started with Beasley Media Group as an intern in 2019 and is now thriving in the digital world. Randi enjoys writing about her favorite foods (especially pizza) and all things fashion and travel. As one who loves taking trips to find new foods, it’s not surprising that she enjoys writing about both!