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November 15, 2023

Your Guide to Holiday Gifts and Activities in Redlands

After a long year of school, work, and challenges, it’s so nice to have the holidays to look forward to. In Redlands, there’s a lot to see and do, from holiday activities and exciting shows to unique shopping experiences and opportunities to serve. Whether you’re a resident or just visiting, get ready for Christmas in Redlands by reading our guide.

Things to Do

Maybe you’ve felt this way before, but when it gets dark earlier and earlier, all you want to do is hang out at home, watching TV or playing on your phone after work or school. Nothing wrong with a good ol’ relaxing evening, but it is nice to have pre-planned activities to look forward to. That’s why it’s great that holiday activities in Redlands are abundant! There are Christmas tree farms to visit, the US Capitol Christmas tree to see, and art shows to explore.


Cut-Your-Own Christmas Trees

Before December is too far gone, head to Greenspot Farms in Mentone or Christmas Conifers in Nuevo to look for your own real Christmas tree. At Greenspot, “Cut Your Own Tree” starts the day after Thanksgiving, and lighted hayrides start on December 1. Christmas Conifers has a 37-acre Christmas tree farm that opens on November 13, so head there if you want your tree (and a photo opp) a little earlier!


Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

On November 17, the City of Redlands will light up its holiday tree for the season! It’ll be quite the event, with free hot chocolate, live music, a bounce house, painting, crafts, seasonal balloon art, a petting zoo, photos with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, and more. Join the community in lighting the holiday tree and all of East State Street from Orange Street to Redlands Boulevard in the Historic Downtown area. You’ll be in the mood for the holiday season!

Shows to See

Who doesn’t love a good live performance? Whether your preference is ballet, theater, comedy, hard rock, or anything else, there’s just something about a live show that is so exciting and really gets you into the spirit of the holidays. And this year, there are plenty of shows for everyone to enjoy for a great Christmas in Redlands.


Music

If you’re a fan of Christmas music, you’ll love “Hometown Holiday” by the Redlands Symphony on December 9 at 7:30 p.m. They’ll play a variety of your holiday favorites that’ll be sure to get you into the holiday spirit! This concert will feature a special performance of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas with a surprise guest narrator. Tickets start at $18. Check it out!


Plays

Head over to LifeHouse Theater at 1135 N. Church Street in Redlands for some festive plays. This year, they’re putting on Scrooge!, bringing Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol to life, and A Christmas Song in My Heart, which tells the true stories behind favorite Christmas carols. If you’re not able to get out, you can also view their shows online!

Opportunities to Share

They call this the season of giving, and it really is a great time to reflect on all we’ve been given and see how we can give back. That’s truly what makes this time of year so special! Even if you can only give a little, that will make a difference—to you and the recipients. To celebrate the true meaning of Christmas in Redlands, check out these two local causes:


Food Bank

While holiday feasts are a cherished tradition, it’s important to remember that many around us are struggling with food insecurity, and even small donations can really help! Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County is a private nonprofit agency that has been serving San Bernardino County since 1965. You can help by donating even a dollar!


Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots gives “toys, books, and HOPE to less fortunate children” all over the country. In 2022, the 29 Palms CA program gave 26,921 toys to 9,376 children. To join the cause, you can donate new toys or money, and you could also volunteer to help with warehouse tasks or meal delivery. If a child you know could use a toy this year, you can also fill out a form to request toys.

Gifts to Buy

We all love shopping from big online retailers—so convenient, and so many options! But it’s always so great when you can support a local business. So check out these locally owned shops to experience one of our favorite holiday activities in Redlands.


For Your Pets

These days, our pets are like family, and Paws knows it! “Since 1996, Paws has been leading the way in providing animal wellness solutions,” the website says. “From our extensive knowledge base in animal nutrition and product formulation to our attention to best practices in our industry, we always have your pets’ best interest at heart.” Head over for gifts for your pet or a friend’s pet.


Anything and Everything

If you just don’t know what to get someone, a gift shop can really help! Fleur de Lis Gift & Home has lots of treasures to pick from. They’ve got local artisan jewelry, clothing, decor, unique Christmas gifts, and more. This is a locally based business, so you can feel good about shopping there!


Clothing and More

Head over to Nectar Clothing for some trendy finds! They’ve got stylish clothing and accessories, holiday decor, and home and lifestyle items. Check out their cozy outerwear here, and find the physical store on State Street in Redlands.

Candles are a cozy addition to your holiday decor, but did you know that 7,400 fires are started each year because of household candles? Please stay safe and be careful when lighting candles in your apartment, especially in your bedroom, where you may fall asleep and then leave the candle unattended. Consider using battery-powered candles, which create a similar ambiance without the added danger. If you do use real candles, be sure to keep an eye on them and blow them out when you are done!


And Christmas trees, of course, can create another natural fire hazard. If you’ve purchased a real tree this year, be sure to water it regularly so it doesn’t dry out. Keep all open flames, such as candles, away from the branches, and make sure you turn all lights off when you’re not at home.

Holidays are the perfect time to connect with family, friends, and neighbors. As you spend the next few weeks shopping, seeing shows, serving, and doing holiday activities in Redlands, we hope you enjoy sharing good times with a friend or family member. From all of us at Countrywood Apartment Homes in Redlands, CA, we wish you the very best of holidays! 

Moving to Redlands, CA? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

By Marketing - • March 14, 2024
Redlands, California, is a city located in the heart of San Bernardino Valley, surrounded by the natural beauty of some of California's highest mountain peaks and largest forests. However, Redlands isn't far away from some of California's largest cities. It’s only 60 miles away from Los Angeles and even closer to San Bernardino and Anaheim.  Redlands got its name from the red-adobe-colored soil of the region. The iron-rich and rocky soil is perfect for citrus trees, but many other crops struggle to grow. This is why, since its beginning, Redlands has been home to a large number of orange groves dating all the way back to 1882 when the first grove was planted. If you're thinking about moving to Redlands, CA, or are just interested in learning more, we've put together a helpful guide that will explain everything you need to know about this beautiful city we call home.
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