Celebrate local this December! Events, recipes and people who make the holidays special!

Charlsie Pecoraro
3 days ago
5 min read

Making memories is easy when your community sparkles like ours does on the Gulf Coast!

Community events are where the real magic of the holidays happens—joyful, unscripted moments that become the stories families tell for years. Whether it’s a small-town parade, a holiday market, or a community tree lighting, these gatherings pull people out of their routines and reconnect them with each other. Showing up matters. It strengthens the fabric of the community and gives you a chance to make memories that outlast any gift under the tree. December moves fast, but the memories you make at local events last a lifetime.

Here are some opportunities for you to enjoy with family & friends:

This weekend, December 5th & 6th, the Mobile Botanical Gardens will host a Holiday Market from 9AM-3PM. There will be a holiday arts and crafts project from 10-noon on Saturday that you can participate in! Shop local in the gift shop!
Festive Nights in the Garden in a NEW event at Mobile Botanical Gardens and will happen on December 11 - 12th AND 18-20th from 5-8PM. There is a small ticket fee with children 4 and under being free.

LODA Artwalk celebrates Christmas on December 12th in downtown Mobile from 6-9PM. This event is free and great for all ages. Local vendors will be selling gifts and many shops will extend their hours.
My friend Meredith Simmerman, owner of Reney's Honey Butter on Cottage Hill, is having an "Ugly Sweater Saturday" on December 13th from 8AM-2PM. Wear your ugliest holiday sweater for a sweet discount on breakfast or lunch!
Saturday, December 6th at 10AM kicks off the Foley Christmas Parade at Heritage Park. This annual family friendly event has been happening since 1963!
Thursday, December 18th Downtown Foley Christmas Fest begins at 5PM. This two hour event will be brimming with festive fun and last minute shopping.
Saturday, December 13th Central Midtown will host its Holiday Open House & Market from 10AM to 3PM at 1260 Dauphin St, Mobile. Stop in and say hello to Seanna Mongan, owner of Humble Hope Candle Co. and explore four floors of artist studios for one of a kind gifts!
Bellingrath Gardens annual Magic Christmas in Lights opens nightly at 5PM, tickets are available online, click here. Final evening to view is January 6th.
Saturday, December 13th is the annual Dawes Christmas Parade, rolling at 1PM in West Mobile.

If you are out and about in West Mobile, I encourage you to stop in at Redbar Espresso & Market for a delicious cup of coffee, tea, cocoa or perhaps something with a little "kick" in it. Grab a bite to eat and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Located at 7681 Old Shell Road, just a block off of Schillinger.

RedBar Espresso has something for everyone!

Recipes that steal the show!

Your holiday table deserves more than the same old dishes, and this month I’m sharing some of my favorite recipes from my Cooking with Charlsie YouTube channel to help you shake things up. These are the kind of dishes that make people stop mid-bite and ask, “What is this and how do I make it?” Easy, flavorful, and tested in a real kitchen—not studio sets—each recipe is designed to bring comfort, creativity, and a little “wow” factor to your holiday season. If you’re ready to level up your cooking and impress your guests without the stress, these videos will get you there.

Hubby and I have been big fans of 7 Spice Restaurant on Airport Blvd. in Mobile. We keep going back for their lentil soup. I've been trying to recreate it at home for 5 years...finally success! In fact, this recipe is a little better than the restaurant fare. I served this to guests last week and they loved it.

Click here to watch the video and let's cook together. Trust me...this is one of my fav's for 2025.

Why settle for “ordinary” when you can bake a showstopper? This Italian Love Cake is a dessert romance in three acts: a rich chocolate cake base, a dreamy ricotta cheesecake center, and a cloud of chocolate pudding whipped cream on top. Baked in round cake pans, it transforms from a humble classic into a gorgeous, layered beauty that looks as good as it tastes. Perfect for special occasions—or just because love (and chocolate) shouldn’t wait! Click here to watch the video!

Please send a few minutes to subscribe to my channel and take a look at the hundreds of great recipes

Shopping Local and Supporting Your Community!

When you choose to shop local and show up for community events, you’re doing more than checking things off a holiday list—you’re keeping the heartbeat of our city strong. Every purchase from a neighborhood shop, every ticket bought for a local event, every meal shared at a family-run restaurant puts real money back into the community and helps local families thrive. Big-box stores won’t remember your name, but the people who live and work here will. This season, invest where it counts. Support the locals who pour their time, talent, and heart into making this community worth calling home. Experience incredible customer service at small businesses throughout the Gulf Coast!

Boss Partners in the News!

Humble Hope Candle Co owner, Seanna Mongan is offering private candle making classes where you (and a few friends) can make your own Christmas gifts. In addition to candles, you can learn to make soap, room sprays and diffusers. Message/call her at 251- 656-8118 to book your session.

IN8 Studios is leasing office space! Dr. Mike Bucknell, owner of RedBar Espresso & Liberation Chiropractic Care has expanded his building on Old Shell Road to include 15 beautiful office suites. Trust me, you need to take a serious look if you've been thinking about leasing - 7681 Old Shell Road, Suite C. in West Mobile.

Zoltek Healthcare Services is winding down the final week of Annual Enrollment for Medicare Supplemental Plans. Jessica Zoltek let me know that her office will be open this weekend for last minute reviews. Enrollment ends this Sunday, December 7th. Her office is located at 885 Hillcrest Road in Mobile and she can be reached at 251-751-5434.

Andrew Lee and his team of master mechanics are back at work at Ronnie Lee's Automotive. You've got a short window of time to get your European car serviced for the Christmas holidays. The shop will be closing December 23rd and will reopen in January of 2026! Call 251-625-3355 to schedule an appointment.

LNJ Employer Services is now offering the ability for business owners to pay their employees with Pay Cards instead of paper checks. Owner Stacy Cooper is thrilled to offer this service to clients. Advantages include faster access to wages, no lost checks or waiting in line, convenient, secure and accepted anywhere a debit is used and great for employees without traditional bank accounts. Want to know more? Give her a call at 251-273-4754.

Local security company, Bailey 360 Security has joined the boss partners! Owners Jimmy and Alicia Bailey offer security for private events, businesses, medical facilities, retail establishments and more. Let's give them a warm welcome! We will be rolling out a new website and marketing for them at the beginning of 2026!

Mike Waldo was promoted to the role of President at Mobile Marble Company. He replaced David Lindsey who retired in the fall. Ryan Lindsey was named Vice President and is working closely with Mike to continue the 50 year tradition of excellent service. Mike is proud to share that the company delivers what they say they are going to. Integrity and respect for customers matter to these leaders. Congratulations Mike & Ryan!