Avec Advent

We have a little tradition at Motif. You’re familiar with advent calendars; as Christmas approaches, every day you flip open a little cardboard door to discover — joy of joys! — a waxy piece of chocolate. We offer our readers a similar lead-up to the big day, but you, dear ones, are worth far more than waxy chocolate. Instead, we bring you a real treat a day, something wonderful taking place in this fair state we all call home. Now off with you! Make merry!

Sat, Dec 1: Get drafted into the war on Christmas.

Sun, Dec 2: Complain about how there’s nothing to do in this state (see below, which proves you wrong).

Mon, Dec 3: Kids outgrew your Elf on the Shelf? Sad! Use it to stalk your neighbor instead.

Tue, Dec 4: Put down the pumpkin spice and bundle up for a hot chocolate crawl (motifri.com/hot-chocolate)!

Wed, Dec 5: Panic about your student loan debt.

Thu, Dec 6: Merry German Christmas! Do something German. Invade Poland!

Fri, Dec 7: New Bedford Ballet’s A New England Nutcracker at NBB Community Theatre, 2343 Purchase St, New Bedford. Runs thru Dec 9

Sat, Dec 8: Epic Theatre’s A Christmas to Forget at Artists’ Exchange, 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston. Runs Dec 6 – 8

Sun, Dec 9: Catch a performance of A Christmas Carol. There are a lot of them around here (motifri.com/holidaytheater2018)!

Mon, Dec 10: Head to La Salette and check out the lights. Weekdays are best for this attraction! 947 Park St, Attleboro.

Tue, Dec 11: Check out the 500 decorated Christmas trees in Slater Park. Bundle up and head to the Armistice Blvd entrance.

Wed, Dec 12: Be smug about an incorrect weather forecast.

Thu, Dec 13: Take a gingerbread house making workshop at Ocean House, 1 Bluff Ave, Watch Hill.

Fri, Dec 14: Providence Ballet Theatre’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, The Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, Roberts Hall, Rhode Island College. OR Listen to carolers and roast marshmallows over a bonfire at Blithewold Mansion’s Sparkle (also takes place Dec 21)!

Sat, Dec 15: Sun, Dec 16: Chuck and Brad’s (EVEN better) Best Christmas Show Ever, The Comedy Connection, 39 Warren Ave, East Providence. Or check out The House of Mood’s 12 Days of Naughty Christmas, 21 Broad St, Pawtucket.

Sun, Dec 16: Chorus of Westerly Winter Pops at Kent Hall, 119 High St, Westerly (Also takes place Sat 15).

Mon, Dec 17: You know what makes a good gift? Bread and milk.

Tue, Dec 18: Bumper cars on ice! Need we say more? Alex and Ani City Center, PVD.

Wed, Dec 19: Send that annoying guy at the office a fruitcake.

Thu, Dec 20: A Christmas Celtic Sojourn takes place at The Vets.

Fri, Dec 21: Wickenden Wonderland’s caroling through Fox Point; meet at 7pm at The Point Tavern, 302 Wickenden St, PVD.

Sat, Dec 22: Festival Ballet Providence’s The Nutcracker at PPAC. Runs Dec 21 – 24

Sun, Dec 23: 11th Annual West Side Caroling, meet at Loie Fuller’s, 1455 Westminster St at 6pm

Mon, Dec 24: Grab a friend, dress as Mary and Joseph, and take a tour of local hotels asking for a room.

Tue, Dec 25: Merry Christmas! Thank a pagan for your festival.