On November 20, many families will be heading to downtown Pittsburgh for Light-Up Night to kick off the Holiday Season. With so many activities to choose from, it is important for parents to plan ahead and choose appropriate activities. Parents will be able to fully enjoy this spectacular night with their children if they come prepared. Here are some fun, practical and FUNNY tips to make the most of Light-Up Night! Macaroni Kid of Pittsburgh LLC is a proud sponsor of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and Holiday KidsPlay 2015 The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership invites you to celebrate the official kickoff to the Holiday Season with FREE high-quality entertainment, activities, music, magic and memories all across the Golden Triangle! Click here for the complete Light Up Night schedule and event map! TIP #1 Prep and Pack! Editor Tip: If you don’t know by now that it both saves money and saves tantrums to “pack-a- snack” then I can’t help you! But I still love you and will smile with such understanding at you while your munchkins meltdown and or you buy $20 water bottles. I’m not judging. I am loving. - Macaroni Kid Editor Debby Reader Tip: Take snacks and water and if you go to one that is both indoors and out take a backpack to put coat and hats in so you don't have to carry them and kids are comfortable. Wendy Wilkinson, Super Mom and Veteran Light Up Night Goer! Expert Tip: Bring Essentials and most important- check the weather beforehand! Don’t forget the winter coat, gloves, earmuffs, and heavy socks! Look for inside events as well so your family doesn’t have to be outside the entire evening! – Barron Whithed, M.S. ED K-12 Certified School Counselor TIP #2 Throw Caution To The Wind! Editor Tip: Sometimes the best laid plans aren’t laid out. I usually regret them but hey... - Macaroni Kid Editor Debby Perry Reader Tip and Wise Friend of Debby’s! - GO FOR IT! NO planning! Just enjoy it with your family! Reader Tip: Patty P.I. You Don’t Always Need A Plan. Sometimes You Just Need To Breath. Trust. Let Go. And See What Happens TIP #3 Choose Wisely Editor Tip: You know your family best. Choose your plan of attack wisely grasshopper. No reason to do it all, everywhere. - Macaroni Kid Editor Debby Reader Tip: I have four little ones and I go by myself...therefore I stay away from town! We go to Station Square, still packed, but a wee less. And you can go inside to warm up. ---Melinda Arlof- SuperMom Of Four and Veteran Light Up Night Goer! Expert Tip: Plan Activities of Interest for Everyone Perhaps each person gets to pick one activity! Here’s the holiday schedule to check out! It is important to make everyone happy, so you don’t have cranky kids on your hands. Make a list of the activities and PRINT OUT THE MAP so your family doesn’t miss anything they want to see! Here’s a downloadable list I created for you! – Barron Whithed, M.S. ED K-12 Certified School Counselor TIP #4 Timing Is Everything! Editor Tip: It’s Feast Or Famine. This is a popular night and Galinda The Good Witch would serenade you in agreement. If it’s gonna be POP- U- LAR... then it’s going to be SUPER CROWDED. This, like Christmas that comes every. single. year-- is no surprise. So expect it! Be smart and go ahead of the crowd if you can! It’s worth it! - Macaroni Kid Editor Debby Reader Tip: If you can, go early! We usually go around LUNCH time! You’ll get to view a lot of things such as the PPG displays before it gets packed with people. - Noreen Luff, Super Mom & Veteran Light Up Night Goer! Expert Tip: Make a calendar of the activities of interests and research how long and how often that particular event goes on for. Also, make a backup plan if the lines are too long. You can always come back to the activity. It is vital to plan ahead! – Here’s a downloadable list I created for you! – Barron Whithed, M.S. ED K-12 Certified School Counselor TIP #5 Make A List- Check It Twice! Editor Tip: Show Santa Up! You are no rookie! Make a LIST! Do you speak list? You should. Make a list, check it twice. Then your night will be real …nice? - Macaroni Kid Editor Debby Reader Tip: I always review the schedule (usually several times!) before we go. I also make a list of the things we definitely want to see and the times they start. - Noreen Luff, Super Mom & Veteran Light Up Night Goer! Expert Tip:, Here’s a downloadable list I created for you! – Barron Whithed, M.S. ED K-12 Certified School Counselor We also included the map of Light Up Night below! TIP #6 Pick Your Favorite! Editor Tip: If you had to pick your favorite child, you wouldn’t do it but you CAN pick favorite EVENTS that occur downtown on Light Up Night! No one will even judge you! If there’s a family favorite, DO IT FIRST and as EARLY as you can. Did you ever hear the saying, the Early Bird Gets The Worm? Well the Early Burgher Gets To Stay Sane. That’s what I say! - Macaroni Kid Editor Debby Reader Tip: Most activities start at 5 so we pick the one thing we want to do the most (usually always Fifth Avenue Place) and get there early. - Noreen Colleen Luff, Super Mom & Veteran Light Up Night Goer TIP #7 These Boots Were(n’t) Made For Walking! Editor Tip: Yes, the adorable boots that you found at Ross for $19.99 are truly cute but really-- those are for “sitting.” Not walking the whole of Pittsburgh with kiddos in tow. Dress comfortably & for the weather! Save the fashion show for Holiday Pictures! P.S. Send me one! - Macaroni Kid Editor Debby Reader Tip: How to get around? Three words! The Holly Trolley! It’s a great means of getting around, especially if it's cold. It runs frequently and has stops at all the main attractions. - Noreen Luff- Super Mom & Veteran Light Up Night Goer! One Oxford Center: Free-Horse Drawn Carriage Rides 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Take a ride around the block in a beautiful horse-drawn carriage. Pick up on Fourth Avenue. Last ride is at 8:45 p.m. TIP #8 Rinse and Repeat! Editor Tip: You don’t have to do it all. This isn’t your last day on Earth! Check out what Noreen has to say about re-visiting! It’s the new re-gifting! - Macaroni Kid Editor Debby Reader Tip: We visit downtown often during the holiday season! It helps us to avoid things on (that we know are going to be extremely crowded!) and we can do it instead during another visit (ie; the ice rink and carriage rides). - Noreen Luff, Super Mom & Veteran Light Up Night Goer! Holiday KidsPlay happens every weekend! TIP #9 Melt Downs- Um Will Happen Editor Tip: Yes, that was ME one year with a 4year old throwing a hissy fit in front of Wintery Tinker Bell. In the words of Steeler favorite Antonio Brown “You Don’t Know Me!”- Macaroni Kid Editor Debby Expert Tip: Encourage proper behavior. Kids will be coming in contact with a lot of people so it is important to say “Please” and “Thank You” and encourage proper behavior. The best way? Model the behavior! Another example, when Kids are standing in line with you for a hotdog or hot chocolate, make sure they tell the server, “Thank You!” When your kids see something they would like to look at such as a window display or holiday lights, encourage them to use the magic word, “Please!” – Barron Whithed, M.S. ED K-12 Certified School Counselor Ask Dr. Sears – Handling Tantrums In Public How To Handle Your Child’s Temper Tantrum Tips For Teaching Patience 25 Manners Kids Should Know TIP #10 Toasty The Snowman? Editor Tip: People, it might be FROSTY cold that night so say hello to Toasty, Frosty’s long lost brother. Dress warm and in layers. Bring warm drinks in thermos’ and even hand warmers! But really…by now. You all want to know ... what does Noreen do? It’s okay. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. - Macaroni Kid Editor Debby Reader Tip: To stay warm we do make trips on the Holly Trolley. We also make plans to stop inside different stores along the way to look around. The in and out will keep you warm! We also make frequent stops at local shops for hot chocolate (we love Crazy Mocha the best)-Noreen Luff, Super Mom & Veteran Light Up Night Goer! Reader Tip: Dress warm, bring hand warmers! Sherry R. SuperMom and Light Up Night Goer. Staying Warm In Colder Weather ( Fantastic Tips For How To Dress!) TIP #11 Barron Says, “Be Gumby!” What Barron means is...be flexible and patient. If there are long lines for certain activities, then your family may have to come back later or at another time to participate. – Barron Whithed, M.S. ED K-12 Certified School Counselor How To Be A Calm Parent How To Be A More Patient Mom In Just 24 Hours TIP #12 Crazy Fun!? Editor Tip: So, like Christmas and birthdays and Easter and everything that happens the same exact time of the year on every single year.