Christmas ships

The Seattle Christmas Ships are an annual tradition. Brightly lit boats bob in the water while carolers serenade those watching from the shore. Seeing the ships is one of my favorite things to do over the holidays.

This year was Baby Bird’s first visit. We viewed the ships from the shores of Lake Washington at Madison Park beach. Even though there was a light drizzle, the beach was filled with holiday revelers, singing along under their umbrellas (oh-so-fitting for rainy Seattle!), or warming themselves by the bonfire. Baby Bird was mesmerized by all the lights and we could tell she loved listening to the carolers sing, especially when they sang Jingle Bells.

After we got home, Big Papa and Baby Bird collaborated on the drawing, above. It was so much fun to share this northwest tradition with her.

If you’re in Seattle, catch the ships’ grand finale tonight at Portage Bay or Gasworks Park. Happy Holidays from Seattle!

Take the road less traveled, Beth

Did you know that Seattle hosts the largest floating parade in the world? For 62 years, a flotilla of brightly decorated Christmas ships, share holiday cheer at waterfront locations all around Seattle during the month of December. During each stop, revelers are treated to a twenty minute serenade of holiday music by one of several local choirs, while they warm their hands by the bonfire and sip hot cocoa.

Standing by the water surrounded by fellow community members, watching the boats bob in all their lighted glory, is one of the best ways to celebrate the holiday season in Seattle. My favorite part of the evening is at the end when the main “Spirit of Christmas” ship sounds its horn and then, in chorus, the surrounding boats do the same. Horns honk loudly and all the boats flash their lights on and off, before heading to the next site on their itinerary.

During this time of the year, when all signals are “GO-GO-GO” there is nothing like take a few minutes to simply: Stop. Look. Listen. Therein lies the true beauty of the season.