When Your Holiday Lights are the Bright Lights of Vegas

You won't likely experience a white Christmas but the lights, music, magic, and grandeur of Las Vegas are sure to make it merry and bright. 

We have been so blessed this year in our time with family and friends. We were able to share birthdays, summer fun, Thanksgiving, and early Christmas celebrations with our kids and grandkids.  Yet looking forward to Christmas Day, we found ourselves in an extraordinary circumstance. With no plans for the large, wonderfully chaotic gatherings with family and friends as in Christmases past, we decided to hit the road and drive the short 280 miles to Vegas. Dare we celebrate the holy season in sin city? A pretty unique idea I guessed. Boy, was that presumption off the mark.  The city was packed beyond what I had ever experienced in 20 or more prior visits.  I would have expected these crowds for New Years, not Christmas.  We saw many families with their children, which was also a bit surprising.

Viva Las Vegas

We checked into our complimentary room at the Venetian upon arrival around noon on the 24th.  This beautiful luxury hotel continues to comp me rooms despite a small-time gambler status, especially by Vegas standards.  It was decked out for the holidays, as were all the hotels, and included a 65-foot lighted tree.  Vegas is large with everything and Christmas is no exception.  

Deck The Halls

Although impossible to experience all of the festive hotel lobbies, we walked through some of the main ones throughout the two days we were there. Most notable is the Bellagio Conservatory, which hosts a huge display that could keep you entertained for an hour or two. Here we found a life-size snow globe, a 10-foot train made from roses, and those adorable polar bears made of red and white carnations. Wynn and Caesars also pull out all the stops. Wynn’s signature carousel is especially decorative with the horses sporting their holiday gear for the season. Although chilly at night, the afternoon weather was nice as we strolled down The Flamingo and LINQ Promenade, also decorated to the max. I must also give mention to the Cosmopolitan which converts its pool into a rooftop ice skating rink for the holidays. Grab a cocktail, gather around a fire pit and enjoy a holiday flick.

Of course, we engaged in some slot play along the way. This is where I would like to tell you about all the jackpots I hit, but nothing like that this time around. This trip was less about gambling or shows and mostly about sightseeing, people-watching, and great food.

When The Moon Hits Your Eye…

Ah, the House of Love! We have been frequenting this hidden gem off the strip for over 10 years. The ambiance, food, and service keep us coming back. Plugged as Vegas the way it used to be, this place takes you back in time with a dimly lit dining room and red leather seating. There is live entertainment nightly. The duo is reminiscent of the Rat Pack era performing Sinatra-style tunes as well as jazz standards. They keep it fun by engaging with the crowd, taking requests, and occasionally allowing a diner up on stage to try out their own crooning skills. The Italian food is delicious and for most of the year, the outdoor patio (Tikki Di Amore) is open for happy hour. All of this along with complimentary transportation to and from the hotels along the strip. You simply cannot beat this place!

Hallelujah

After dinner, we asked the driver to drop us off at the Bellagio so we could view the fountain light show at night. The performance was breathtaking as usual but experiencing it set to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus made it even more exhilarating. The streets were so packed with people that it took us a bit longer than usual to get back down to our hotel but I didn’t mind. Everyone seemed to be in good cheer and the lights along the strip seemed to shine brighter than normal. Christmas 2022 was coming to an end.

It may have been unconventional but this Christmas was a good one. I expect for the most part we will keep with our traditions for the holidays, but I want to always be open to something different. I am fortunate enough to be in a place in my life to experience it all.