Beating the Holiday Blues at Balboa Park

Balboa Park Glimmers During the Holiday Season

It's the most festive season of the year, but some how the holiday blues find me right when I am supposed to be very productive and excited. There are so many expectations of people being surrounded by their families and children getting special attention from their grandparents during the holidays. There will only be the four of us around our Christmas table again this year. At times, the distance between our immediate family and relatives seems too great to bear. I always feel guilty that my children do not get to experience togetherness with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. After the guilt comes sadness. Being lonesome is my least favorite state of mind.

Those feelings of sadness come go as waves throughout the holiday season. I acknowledge my feelings, let a few tears drop, and then I pick myself up again. After all,  I am a strong Finnish woman who is not supposed to get overwhelmed by emotions and I can only blame myself for having moved so far from our loved ones.

One of the best things that our pediatrician has told me is to smile at my children. He also said that parents are the first people our children see regularly. If mom looks sad, then the children's world view will be melancholy, but if mom looks happy then they will feel happy and excited as well. With the help of that memory, I pull my frown up side down and start smiling. After all, this is the season to make memories and my children will only get to experience holiday traditions if my husband and I create them.

After one particularly blue morning, I decided that a change of surroundings would help. Thus we decided to take advantage of our Balboa Park Explorer tickets and head over to find Holiday Treasures of the park.

You can spend a lovely day at Balboa Park and get into Holiday mood by visiting these six Terhific sights. They are not listed in any particular order.

1. One-of-a-kind Christmas Tree and Fabulous Ornaments at Timken Museum

Timken museum surprised us with holiday splendor. A beautiful Christmas tree full of handmade ornaments by San Diego native artists and splendid large size nutcrackers greet visitors in the foyer. My son loved looking at the nutcrackers and my daughter delighted in the details of the beaded ornaments.

2. Wintry Holiday Scene at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum

We had such a lovely time at the Model Railroad Museum. Winter has set in one of the rooms and the trains get to ride in the middle of a lovely miniature holiday village. We spent more time than usual while paying attention to the tiny details of the winter wonderland.

3. Dr. Seuss Inspired Christmas Tree at the Old Globe Theater

This Christmas Tree is as whimsical as it gets. You cannot but giggle when looking at the this tree. My kids wanted to join the Who's and started Christmas caroling on the top of their lungs. As Ken Kramer of All About San Diego Program would say: This Seussical Tree is one thing unique about San Diego!

4. Nativity at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion

We delight in studying the Christmas story through the scenes of the Nativity set in the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. My daughter and I take turns reading the story.

5. Santa Claus and his Reindeer at the Central Plaza

We love waiving at Santa as he gets ready to take off and fly in the sky. He sits on his sleigh and greets the people at the Central Plaza near Spreckels Organ Pavilion. My kids love pointing out Rudolph's red nose!

6. Glorious Poinsettia Display at the Botanical Building

The Botanical Building is filled with Poinsettias and it looks gorgeous! My kids wanted to take pictures of the beautiful plants and I especially loved seeing the Red Glitter poinsettias with white specks. My kids also love the Touch and Smell garden in which they can play with unusual variety of plants.

The Spanish Village Art Center is also filled with holiday decor, but I always worry about all the easily breakable pieces of art when my 4-year-old is with me.  Some of the cottages in the International Cottages Village by the House of Pacific Relations also decorate for the holidays. The cottages are open on Sundays from 12 noon till 4:00 pm.  Don't forget to visit House of Finland!

If you are feeling the holiday blues, I send you warm thoughts and my best wishes. Feelings come and go, and you can help lifting the mood by visiting a cheery place such as Balboa Park.

Let me know if I inspired you to go and enjoy Balboa Park, one of my favorite places in San Diego!