Holiday light displays are always a seasonal treat, and you have a chance to win a visit to an area favorite: The spectacular Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens!
Escape to a glittering world with towering sunflowers, puffy rain clouds, lazy turtles, larger-than-life mushrooms, and other critters so beautiful, you’ll think you’ve been transported to a fairytale land.
Garden of Lights delights families every year with its imaginative and lighted figures that help usher in the holiday season. The handmade forms of forest animals, flowers and other natural elements help transform the gardens into whimsical winter scenes.
But the fun doesn’t stop outdoors. The conservatory will be transformed by G-scale model trains racing through a wintry landscape. And no wintertime shindig would be complete without mugs of piping hot cocoa, s’mores and live musical performances.
Garden of Lights opens November 24 and will run through January 1 (closed December 24-25). Hours are 5:30-9:30pm Sunday – Thursday, and 5:30-10pm Friday – Saturday. Admission is $25 per car/van Sunday – Thursday, and $30 per car/van Friday – Saturday. (KFDC Tip: If yu can swing it, go on a weekday when it’s less crowded.) Brookside Gardens is located at 1800 Glenallan Avenue in Wheaton, MD.
Giveaway: For a chance to win free admission to Brookside’s Garden of Lights, simply leave a comment below telling me your favorite holiday treat to eat (savory or sweet). Get an extra chance to win by entering on the KidFriendly DC Facebook Page, too. The passes can be used on any date the exhibit is open. This giveaway will run through Tuesday, November 21, 2017, then a winner will be drawn at random and notified shortly thereafter. Good luck!
Gingerbread men!
I looove eggnog!
Apple Pie is so classic and delicious! It’s my number one holiday treat!
Grandma Susie’s caramel
Sugar cookies! Trees and santas and Christmas ornament shapes!
Orange rolls on Christmas morning
Every year for Christmas we make these decadent cookies with a soft sugar/butter/sour cream dough encapsulating a chunk of Milky Way candy bar. M&ms decorate the top! They’re fun to make and delightful to eat.
We’re love Christmas in DC and always appreciate your tips and giveaways!
My mom makes a dessert called Brazo de mercedes, a Filipino dessert, which is made of soft meringue with custard filling. She makes it with a lot of love and tender care so it turns out delicious every time! 🙂
My fav holiday treat would be the homemade gingerbread cookies my kids and I make.
Dressing and sweet potato pie are among my holiday faves.
turkey and mashed potatoes with lots of gravy.
Every year as a child, my father would buy a box of chocolates from chocolatier Bernard Callebaut in Calgary, Canada. Last year, we went to visit family in Canada and my Dad brought my husband and I each a package of the chocolates for us to take home – but by the time we returned home I couldn’t find them. I thought we had lost them. I was so upset, I spent one evening awake, unable to sleep, worried that we had lost the chocolates – which aside from being delicious, were a close reminder of a sweet childhood memory. Turns out my husband hid them as a joke. But I’ll get him back … just wait!
Panettone with hot chocolate
Homemade cutout sugar cookies
Homemade chocolate covered cherries 🍒
Sweet potatoes w/ marshmallows on top!
Latkes with applesauce.
Eggnog!
I look forward to homemade caramels all year.
My great grandma’s Christmas cookies!
My grandmother’s chocolate walnut fudge is my favorite treat to eat during the holidays!
Christmas cookies!
A tall glass of mulled wine is Santa’s favorite little helper
I like hot cocoa and soy/coconut nog.
Our family likes to bake bread and cookies for Christmas.
Would love to take my 2.5 year old!
Oops, and I loveeee these strawberry cookies that my grandmother used to make. They remind me of the holidays so much.
pecan pie
Gingerbread cookies!
Gingerbread cookies!
Gingerbread cookies and eggnog
Sugar cookies! Gingerbread cake! Hot cocoa! So many….
Decorated sugar cookies
Lemon Ricotta Cookies, which are one of the few Italian traditions my family continues for the holidays.
I love following your blog and have found tons of fun things to do with my twin girls because of it, so thank you!! My favorite holiday treat is chocolate chip meringue cookies. My grandmother used to make them for us and it’s such a sweet memory I have of her.
Christmas cookies (using grandma’s recipes!)
Definitely the homemade gingerbreads man my kids and I make.
White chocolate gingerbread cookies
Hot cocoa with marshmallows!
Pie!
I love to make and eat Christmas cookies!
I love holiday cookies
Gingerbread!
Hot cocoa and holiday cookies – perfect combination.
Gingerbread for sure!
Always the “bûche de noel”!!!!:-)) yummy!
My favorite treat is baking and eating Gingerbread men ☺️
Egg nog!
We enjoy making pfeffernuts, tiny molasses cookies my grandmother used to make. Labor intensive, but so delicious and makes me so happy to continue the tradition. Thanks!
Favorite holiday treat is homemade sugar cookies with icing. 🙂
Cookie cutouts!
My favorite holiday treat is probably simply a really yummy cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream, enjoyed fireside.
My favorite holiday treat is Mexican Wedding Cakes (aka Russian Tea Cakes, Snowballs). They are a powdered sugar mess, but SO yummy! Thanks for the chance to win tickets. My family tries to get to Brookside every winter for this display. 🙂
Rum soaked fruitcake!
We love mince pies!
Eggnog is my favorite holiday treat 😁
Love homemade cinnamon rolls.
Cookies! Preferably with hot chocolate 😊
Warm cider
Apple Pie! I love Apple Pie (especially the pie crust.)
Peanut blossom cookies!
Italian panettone!
Peppermint Bark!
Can’t wait!
Mint chocolate anything!
Definitely hot chocolate! Can’t beat it.
homemade shortbread!!
Spiked eggnog and rumcake 😉
The warm cheese danish that my aunt bakes from scratch every Christmas morning!
Cream cheese and pepper jelly with crackers and cheese straws!
Panettone is definitely my favorite. I was born in Peru but lived all over, therefore tried almost everything. There’s nothing better, for me, than a fresh fluffy panettone with hot chocolate on the side. Yum!
Our family has a sweet tooth! We love cookies, especially the peanut butter with a Hershey kiss!
Sugar cookies with almond frosting!
I love White chocolate covered pretzel!
Christmas cookies with lots of sprinkles
Peppermint mocha!
Holiday cookies of any kind with mulled apple cinder!
I love cream cheese tree cookies, my great grandmothers recipe! I only make them at Christmas
Cannoli!
Pumpkin & pecan pies!
Posole!
My fave holiday treat is peppermint white chocolate mocha drink paired with a peppermint dark chocolate cupcake with a cream cheese frosting! Yummy!
sugar cookies
Hot chocolate made from melted chocolate!
hot chocolate!!!
My grandmother’s homemade fruit cake!
Homemade Christmas cookies🍪
My favorite holiday treat is cranberry crisp delight. It’s a dish with almonds and cranberries and it amazing!!!
Biscotti, especially almond!
Peanut butter thumb print cookies!
Cranberry apple cake with brown sugar frosting!
My favorite holiday treat to eat is Orange Cranberry nut bread. It just goes sooo well with coffee.
Sopipillas – sugary, cinnamony goodness!
This place is great for Pokemon Go players, in case you need to incentivize the trip.
Fave holiday treat is peppermint bark!
I look forward to eggnog all year!
Hot chocolate and marshmallows
Trader Joe’s dark chocolate mint stars! Simply amazing.
We love Christmas Cookies!
Hot Chocolate!
Gingerbread cookies!
Eggnog!
anything with ginger!
I go to an annual Christmas Eve party and we have paella! 🙂
Apple pie
Thumbprint cookies.
Hot chocolate with marshmallows and christmas tree shaped cookies!
Baked brie for sure.
Mexican wedding cake cookies!
Favorite holiday treat has to be pie!
My mom’s Hello Dolly bars–chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and coconut. Over the top deliciousness.
Nothing quite as nice as coming inside from playing on a cold day to a steamy cup of hot cocoa, with marshmallows, of course!
Lovely garden
Buckeye Balls (peanut butter dipped in chocolate)
Oreo peppermint crunch cookies
I loveeee Apple pie 🙂
Pecan pie!
My favorite holiday treat is pie!
Christmas cookies and rum balls.
Pumpkin pie!
Thank you!
Peppermint ice cream!
I love stuffing!
My Mom’s cherry creamcheese whipped cream pie!
Pig in pig… (Lil’ smokies, wrapped in bacon, rolled in brown sugar, and bake for 15 mins.)
Apple pie is my favorite!
Peppermint bark
We love candy canes and homemade gingerbread! Yummy!!!
Cookies!
I love Mexican wedding cakes (aka Russian teacakes) during the holidays. Buttery, powdered sugar-ey, and smell delicious when baking!
There is something about the holiday green and red M&Ms that taste extra good than the regular colors!
peppermint bark!
Candy canes
Warm gingerbread with homemade whipped cream
I am a huge fan of yummy Christmas cookies. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) I love all kinds. The sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, gingerbread cookies, etc. Yum!
Favorite holiday treat is the pie! Apple and pumpkin :p yum! …now I want some.
A holiday cheesecake!
brownie, peppermint ice cream and hot fudge!!
Egg Nog!
Christmas pound cake
Oh that’s easy. I love my mother-in-law’s pignoli nut cookies that she bakes every Christmas.
Apple pie
pumpkin pie!
I always look forward to my mom’s homemade cinnamon twists on Christmas morning.
I love making smores by the fireplace.
peppermint bark!
and new york cheesecake- thats always a classic 🙂
Pecan pie
S’mores and sugar cookies
Pecan pie!
I like mushed potatoes and chicken.
Roast & Yorkshire pudding – a holiday treat!
It wouldn’t be Christmas without my
Aunt’s white chocolate peanut butter popcorn!
My favorite holiday treat is roasted spicy nuts, made by my mother-in-law!
Nestle Toll House Cookies. a baking tradition in our family!
Chocolate thumbprint cookies
Homemade ice cream with crushed candy canes!
My favorite holiday treats are ginger bread cookies.
I love peppermint and pumpkin spice lattes during this time of year 🙂
Monkey Bread for brunch on Christmas morning!
Homemade cinnamon rolls that take two days to make, Yum! It’s the one time of the year we get to have them!
Hot chocolate
Hot apple cider
My favorite holiday treat is pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream, yummy.
Homemade apricot or raspberry ruggulah!!
We would love comp tickets to Brookside Garden holiday lights!
Healthy No Bake Pumpkin Spice Latte Bites
Easy, delicious cake-like bites which tastes exactly like a pumpkin spice latte but much healthier for you and only take 5 minutes to whip up! Soft and doughy, these no-bake bites and naturally vegan, gluten free, dairy free and come with a paleo and high protein option- A delicious snack or treat anytime!
Ingredients
* 1 3/4 cups gluten-free oat flour (can sub for rolled oats, oat bran or quick oats)*
* 1/4 cup coconut flour (can sub for almond or extra oat flour)**
* 2 T granulated sweetener of choice (I used coconut palm sugar)***
* 1 T pumpkin pie spice (or a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and a dash of ginger)
* 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
* 1 tsp vanilla extract
* 1/4 cup cashew butter (can sub for any nut butter)
* 1/4 cup brown rice syrup (can sub for any sticky sweetener)****
* 1 T + dairy free milk of choice*****
* Cinnamon and granulated sweetener of choice, to coat bites in (optional)
Instructions
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23. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sweetener, pumpkin pie spice and mix well.
24. In a microwave safe bowl or stovetop, heat your nut butter with your sticky sweetener until combined. Mix in your vanilla extract. Pour your wet mixture and pumpkin to the dry mixture and mix well. Depending on consistency, either add dairy free milk of choice or extra flour until a firm texture is formed.
25. Using your hands, form into small bite sized balls. Roll balls in optional cinnamon/sugar mixture and place on a baking tray or plate. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to firm up.
Notes
* * For paleo option, use 1/2 cup coconut flour
* ** If you use another flour, you may need to add 2-3 tablespoons to make the batter firm
* *** I used 2 tablespoons but adjust according to your desired level of sweetness
* **** For a paleo option, use maple syrup
* ***** Depending on the flour combination, you may need more- Adjust accordingly
Pineapple upside down cake!
Pumpkin pie!
Would love tickets to Brookside Garden of Lights! Thanks!
Pan dulce (aka as Panetone) but just the one my mom makes. Thanks!
Cookies!
My favorite treat for the holidays is pecan pie, but my kids’ favorite treat is Jello!
Christmas cookies! We use my husband’s grandmother’s recipes. We make at least a few different ones but she has dozens of recipes!
Peppermint drop cookies
Potato Latkes for Hanukkah, the festival of lights. This light display is a highlight of the season!
Pizelle cookies!
cookies and milk are our families hot favorite for the holidays
Chocolate peanut butter buckeyes, yum,
Hot cocoa!
Hello dear team!!! 😍😍🌟🌟🌟 I’m super close with my family, and Christmas allows for all of us to come together and spend some really quality time together. It’s always an awesome and happy time when we’re together, especially when the holidays are involved.From elaborate family meals, to yummy cookies, to candy in stockings, and all sorts of other holiday snacks, Christmas always means you’ll be having delicious food.
I promise I’m not crazy. Who doesn’t love the smell of fresh pine needles and Christmas cookies???
Please give me the tickets so i can fully enjoy my Christmas spirit 🎄
Coquito (Puerto Rican egg nog) is my all time favorite holiday treat. That and cookies. 😉
Latkes with ketchup!
Christmas cookies!
Pecan Pie!
Pumpkin pie!
Spiced red wine by the light of the fire!
Pecan Pie!
Toffee bars
Stocking sweets with my son. His joy over a chocolate Santa or Santa Pez is pretty infectious.
My husband’s amazing cranberry vanilla coffee cake on Christmas morning.
Gingerbread cookies!
Toffee Brittle. We went to this last year and it was great!
Pies!
Gingerbread latte!
Chocolate caramel pretzel bark! Sweet and savory, goes with any warm drink or wine 🙂
Oh! My favorite Christmas treat to eat is peppermint hot chocolate with homemade vanilla bean marshmallows on top. It’s so meditatively good!! 💆🏾♀️
We love Brookside Gardens and have been doing to see the lights for so long! My daughter always sees the lights (like the dragon) during the day and asks to see them at night. My favorite Christmas treat is peppermint or salted caramel hot chocolate with homemade vanilla bean marshmallows on top. It’s so meditatively good!! 💆🏾♀️
Absolute favorite sweet treat is the homemade pumpkin pie with whipped cream on top; paired with some spike eggnog. Yum
I love hot wine
Gingerbread cookies!
My favorite winter treat: my dad’s Christmas Day candy cane milk shakes.
Shortbread cookies
My favorite Christmas treat is my mother’s Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. There great warm or frozen. Best thing is the name turns people off so they don’t try them which leaves more for those who know their secret.
Turkey with staffing
Buttery snow ball cookies that my mom used to make and now that I’m a mom, I try to recreate them during the holidays.
sugar waffles
Green bean casserole.
I’m a sucker for a piping hot Ppermint Mocha – homemade or out and about 🙂
Cranberry apple pie is my favorite dessert to eat around the holidays! It’s a simple, easy twist on an American classic. Sweet apples paired with tart cranberries that burst in your mouth when you tuck in to the slice of pie… served a la mode, of course!
Latkes!
Mmm PUMPKIN BREAD!!
I like to eat homemade gingerbread cookies during the holiday season.
My favorite holiday treat is my Fathers home made lasagna he makes for Christmas.
My family growing up always enjoed happy hour with cheese, crackers and sparkling juice so that is slways a must-have treat in my own home as well!
peppermint bark!
Latkes made by an old Jewish Grandma (no hispter latkes)
My mom’s homemade egg nog!
My favorite holiday treat is cookies! Especially if someone else bakes them 🙂
Stromboli, believe it or not
Rum cake
Polish Chrusciki!
We eat monkey bread every Christmas for breakfast.
Making S’mores at Light Displays!
We love eating S’mores