Merry Christmas, Summerville!

As we head into Christmas week and winter break begins, we’re sending you warm wishes for rest, joy, and meaningful time with the people you love.

One of our kids has been sick most of the week (no surprise here), but it ended up being the perfect reminder to take my own advice and slow down. His sick days happened to line up with the big cold front, so we leaned into it—kept a fire going most of the day, watched way too many Christmas movies, made some crafts, and just soaked up the quiet time together. And while I never love seeing my kid under the weather, I have a feeling these slow, cozy days will be some of my favorite memories from this month. When the stars finally aligned and everyone was healthy, we made it out to Bee City Zoo for their Festival of Lights—and it did not disappoint. You can read more about it in this week’s “To Do” feature!

Santa has been extremely busy in Summerville this month and there’s still a few more opportunities to catch Santa:

🎁 Still searching for a last-minute gift you can grab from the comfort of your couch and support local businesses? Check out our Local Experiences Gift Guide—packed with fun, thoughtful ideas for kids (and adults!) of all ages.

With young kids, late nights during the holidays are a rare currency—you only get so many before the crankiness kicks in, so you really have to prioritize which festive outings are worth staying up past bedtime. For us, Bee City Zoo’s Festival of Lights had always been on the “maybe someday” list. But this week, the stars finally aligned—everyone was healthy, the weather was perfect, and we decided to go for it, and I’m so glad we did.

Bee City is already one of the most unique and interactive places to take your kids in the Lowcountry. Feeding lemurs and kangaroos by hand, watching monkeys leap around their enclosures to get food, getting up close with alpacas and even giraffes—it’s the kind of place that makes an impression year-round. But during the holidays, it transforms into something truly magical.

The Festival of Lights overlays all the fun of Bee City’s animal encounters with thousands (maybe millions?) of twinkling lights in dazzling displays. Daniel and I were completely mesmerized walking through the zoo—every corner lit up, from tunnels of color to glowing animal silhouettes and festive scenes. We kept saying to each other, “Can you imagine how many hours it took to set this up?” It was truly next-level.

The best part? It’s such a great value. Tickets start at just $14/person, which includes admission and access to feed the giraffes and kangaroos. For just $5 more, the $19 ticket also includes a 30-minute Winter Wonderland Wagon Ride through a stunning light trail—something we definitely recommend. We chose a 6:30pm ride time, and it worked perfectly with our arrival a little after 5pm (yes, you can enter at 5 even though the event officially runs 6–9pm on weeknights!). After the wagon ride, we did a quick trip to see Santa then changed the kids into their pajamas for the ride home and transferred them to their beds all before 8pm.

For little ones, it’s a dream:

We even visited Santa with almost no wait—just a quick five-minute line. The setup was adorable, and you have the option to purchase a professional photo of your child with Santa and a furry friend. The night we went, kids were getting their pictures taken with a baby kangaroo.

There’s also:

They also offer a combo ticket if you want to go during the day and stay for the festival ($28/person), but honestly, we felt like the evening event alone was more than enough fun.

If you're thinking about going, there's still time! The Festival of Lights runs through January 4. It's open:

See the schedule of Santa/Grinch appearances and pre-purchase your tickets at beecityzoo.com.

If you’ve ever tried to sip a lukewarm coffee while your toddler scales your furniture, this one's for you.

Sip N’ Slide Play Cafe, a brand new indoor play cafe, is opening its doors this Saturday, December 27—and it’s the kind of space Summerville families have been waiting for. Part cozy coffee shop, part imaginative play zone, this thoughtfully designed spot blends handcrafted drinks and baked goods with an indoor playground catered to kids ages 0–8. Think gross motor structures, sensory activities, art stations, and pretend play zones, all in one bright, happy place.

What makes Sip N’ Slide extra special is the heart behind it. Owner Nicole Donnellon—a local mom, Coast Guard Reservist, and former social worker—dreamed up the cafe as a way to bring community, connection, and sanity (let’s be honest) to local families. You might even spot her husband Christopher behind the counter, whipping up lattes using beans roasted just down the road at Lowcountry Coffee Roasters.

Here’s what you’ll find:

Details you need to know:
📍 977 Royle Rd, Suite D, Ladson, SC | 🕐 Open 8am-6pm Monday-Friday and 10am-7pm on Satuday, Open Sundays for private events
💵 $13 daily play passes | $47 monthly memberships
📅 Grand Opening: Saturday, December 27 | Ribbon cutting at 9:30 AM | Open for play all day | Purchase tickets here

Whether you’re looking for a rainy-day activity, a way to get out of the house without the chaos, or just a place to actually finish a cup of coffee—Sip N’ Slide is about to become your new favorite spot.

If you’re looking for a low-stress, kid-friendly spot to meet up with friends around mealtime, Holy City Brewing might just be one of the easiest choices in the Charleston area.

Whether it's a casual Friday night or a sunny Sunday afternoon, this brewery offers the perfect mix of good food, space for kids to roam, and a relaxed atmosphere where parents can actually enjoy themselves, too. For our family, it's become a go-to gathering spot—especially when we’re meeting up with friends from different corners of the Lowcountry. Its North Charleston location makes it a convenient halfway point for Summerville, Mt. Pleasant, and West Ashley families alike.

Here’s what makes it such a win:

And while the outdoor setup is the star of the show for families, the indoor dining space is also spacious and welcoming. So if you’re looking for a spot where your kids can have fun, your food is solid, and your social battery actually gets recharged, we definitely recommend giving Holy City Brewing a try.

🎅🏼 Special Holiday Events:

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The holidays are meant to be a time of connection and joy—but let’s be honest, they can also surface all kinds of tension. Whether it’s coordinating time between families, balancing traditions, or navigating those tricky conversations at the dinner table, this season often puts our relational muscles to the test.

Lately, my husband and I have found ourselves coming back to one simple (but not always easy) theme: communicate early, clearly, and often. And then communicate some more.

We’re not communication experts by any stretch, but in our marriage and in other relationships, we’ve noticed how often conflict or disappointment could’ve been avoided—or at least softened—by simply talking things through ahead of time. A quick check-in about expectations. A heads-up about plans. A gentle boundary before emotions run high. Most of the time, what feels like over-communicating is actually just what the moment needed.

Here are a few practical ways we’re trying to live this out during the holiday season:

So as you head into this week—whether you’re hosting, traveling, or just trying to hold it all together—consider how proactive, thoughtful communication might smooth the path ahead. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be honest.

And if you're wondering, "Did I say that clearly?"—say it one more time, just in case.

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦

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