Happy Thanksgiving week!

We hope you all enjoy your holiday and this (unseasonably?) warm weather. Seeing people’s Christmas lights up while we’re having such warm weather is still a little strange to me, but after spending a cold weekend in Boston last week, you won’t hear any complaints from me!

We’re grateful for our Palmetto Parents community and for each and every one of you who takes the time to read, share, and engage with our newsletter week after week. Your support, encouragement, and love for this community make it all worthwhile. Thank you for being here with us. 🧡

If your family would like to enjoy a free Thanksgiving meal, The Family Restaurant in Summerville will continue their annual tradition of having a free Thanksgiving buffet meal available from 10am-3pm (or until items are gone).

As we approach December, here’s a couple events you may want to mark on your calendar:

The whimsical world of Dr. Seuss is coming to life on two local stages this December! Tickets are selling fast for the shows, so we wanted to give you a heads up so you can buy your tickets sooner than later.

First up, Flowertown Players presents "A Seussified Christmas Carol" from December 5th through 21st at the James F. Dean Theatre in downtown Summerville. This playful twist on the classic Dickens tale is told entirely in rhymed couplets, bringing a zany, Seussian flair to the story of Scrooge. With whimsical characters like Timmy Loo Hoo and Bed-Headed Fred, plus made-up treats like zoot-fruited juices, the production is a laugh-out-loud retelling the whole family will enjoy.

Tickets are just $30 for adults and $14 for children 12 and under. Shows are already filling up quickly, especially the 3:00pm and 5:00pm performances, but there are still seats available for 7:30 PM shows. Grab your tickets here.

The other Seuss favorite that is showing this December is "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical" running December 9th–14th. Featuring the beloved songs "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas," this Broadway-style production tells the story of the grumpy green Grinch who tries to steal Christmas from the Whos down in Whoville. Max the Dog narrates this heartwarming tale full of music, mischief, and meaningful moments.

Tickets range from $67 to $114, with multiple showtimes available, including family-friendly matinees over the weekend. You can view the full schedule and purchase tickets here.

Bonus: You can also enter to win four tickets to the December 9th opening night performance by checking out this Instagram giveaway.

Summit Coffee’s holiday menu is live! We had the chance to attend a special holiday menu preview at Summit Coffee this week, and it was pure joy. The standout for us? The Gingerbread Latte, topped with gingerbread cold foam and spiced sugar — it was so good, I’m already planning my trip back for a full-sized one (my husband couldn’t wait and boldly drank his full size at 7:30pm).

Also on the menu: the Peppermint Mocha (topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint), a cozy Peppermint Hot Chocolate, and the fan-favorite Salted Caramel Apple Chai, finished with caramel apple cold foam and a caramel drizzle — basically dessert in a cup.

But what truly sets Summit apart is the hospitality. The staff is warm, welcoming, and always kind to little ones. Our son loves the play espresso machine, and the kids' menu includes lemonade, hot chocolate, a babyccino (steamed milk with syrup), and of course, there’s plenty of irresistible pastries.

With three Charleston-area locations (two in Mount Pleasant, one in Nexton), it’s easy to find your cozy corner.

📍 Check the full menu and locations at summitcoffee.com

Happy holiday sipping!

If you’d appreciate a refereshing, outdoor post-Thanksgiving day outing on Black Friday, SC State Parks has you covered! On Friday, November 28, 2025, admission is completely free at every South Carolina state park — and that includes tours of some of the state’s most beautiful historic homes.

It’s the perfect excuse to walk off the turkey, get the kids outside, and enjoy nature without spending a dime.

Some of our local favorites include:

📍 Want to explore even more? Find the full list of state parks here: South Carolina Park Finder.

#OptOutsideSC this year and make some new memories that take advantage of this beautiful November weather!

If you’re looking for a food destination that brings big flavor, generous portions, and freshness done right, your next stop should be Pokémoto. Located at 460 Old Trolley Rd.  in Summerville, Pokémoto is the go-to spot for poké bowls, burritos, salads, and boba.

We usually go straight for the ahi tuna or salmon bowls (or the burrito version when we’re feeling extra hungry). The topping options are what sets it apart. With mango, edamame, jalapeños, toasted rice puffs, and more, each bowl becomes a personalized masterpiece. There’s 30+ mix-in/topping options and 10 different flavoring choices, so everyone is sure to find something they like. And if seafood isn’t your thing? No worries—there are solid non‑fish protein choices too, like chicken or tofu, for those who’d rather skip raw seafood. For the kids, you can get a simple bowl with rice, chicken, and any toppings you think they may like or do a Hawaiian hot plate that’s served with chicken or pork, pineapple, and a side. They also have a variety of milk and fruit boba teas to enjoy with your food.

Among all the poke spots we’ve tried in the area, Pokémoto stands out for both flavor and portion size. Whether you’re craving a quick takeout lunch or a relaxed dinner with the family, Pokémoto is a great choice!

Pokémoto is open from daily from 11am-9pm.

My friend Amanda recently shared this holiday reflection sheet she created for her family, and I immediately knew I had to share it with you all. She designed it to spark meaningful conversation around the dinner table—while getting her sons’ Christmas list for this year.

I love how this simple activity helps our kids think not just about what they want, but about what they already have, what they’ve loved, and how they can share that joy with others. It’s so easy for both kids and adults to get caught up in what we want—or even in wanting to give our children everything they ask for. But this kind of intentional reflection helps reframe the season with gratitude at its core. In a season that can easily turn into a blur of “more,” this small practice roots the conversation in gratitude.

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦

If you’d like to partner with Palmetto Parents to put your business in front of a highly-engaged audience of 10,000 parents, click here.