Surrey Center Christmas Open House, Augusta, Georgia

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

Charles Dickens

The Christmas season is finally here and a great way to start the season is to go to Surrey Center Christmas Open House. It takes a lot to get Joe and I out on a week day night, but this event was one that we just had to go to. After all, our friend, Roger Enevoldsen and his daughter, Matilda, and another friend, Tara Scheyer was going to be playing outside on different levels of Surrey Center. We really wanted to see them and an added bonus was that our friend, Tina Goldsmith was showing her beautiful mosaic art masterpieces tonight as well. How could we not go out.

Surrey Center is a three level outdoor shopping area that has many trendy boutiques, unique stores, and restaurants. It is beautifully designed complex with one building having gorgeous wrought iron rails around the balconies on the second floor. It was a beautiful night to enjoy walking around and checking our some of these wonderful shops. Yes, some were a little pricey for us but all the stores were dressed to the tee’s for the holidays and looked fantastic. Surrey Center looked like a Christmas wonderland all lit up that night and it was a beautiful night to wander and do a little Christmas shopping.

Swank

As we walked around checking out the shops, many had cookies, snacks, and drinks. Some places had crackers, cheese, meat trays with wine or beer. Others like Rivers and Glen Trading Company set up a steaming station outside the store where they roasted oysters for those who wanted to partake. They also were serving Scotch in their store for patrons along with cheese and crackers. What a great way to shop. You can sip on a drink as you casually shop. The store, Swank had some great unique gift ideas and beautiful jewelry. Swank had quite a crowd out Christmas shopping. I really liked that store and all the stores helpers were very nice. They even wrapped a gift for you if you requested. The had a lovely table with cheese and wine set up. The Rivers and Glen Trading Company was more Joe’s style with sportsman items, such a fishing gear, and very nice sportsman clothing.

Charleston Street Florist

The Charleston Street florist was decked out beautifully with fresh wreaths and greenery prepared for the holiday. This store had some gorgeous Christmas decor. That is a stunning store and they got quite a bit of business as well with people buying floral arrangements and holiday decorations.

Roger and Matilda

Jean ringing the sleigh bells for Roger and Matilda

We sat down near the fountain on the second level and really enjoyed listening to Roger and his daughter, Matilda harmonize. Their voices blended beautifully. They sounded wonderful and sang some beautiful Christmas Carols. I helped play the bells in one of their songs. I didn’t do real well but it was great fun. It was nice to be able to walk around and shop and hear the Christmas music fill the air.

Tara Scheyer 

Tara Scheyer and the Mud Puppies

Ronnie and Heather

Ronnie

Then we walked down to another level where Tara Scheyer was singing Christmas songs that were interactive with the children. She had colorful scarfs and jingle bells for the children to play and help her preform. It was great fun watching the children sing, dance, and jump around to the music. Later, her other band, Tara Scheyer and the Mud Puppies played and it was great seeing another friend, Ronnie Hill and listen to him play the guitar. They put on a great show.

Santa 

Santa talking we a wee one.

Have you been good or bad?

Santa was set up near where Tara was playing. It was fun seeing Santa interact with the children. They had a photographer on hand so moms and dads could get a nice Christmas picture of their child with Santa.

Tina's beautiful mosaic art

Our friend, Joey 

Charlene and the mosaic artist, Tina Goldsmith

Bodega Ultima, a nice eclectic club was having an art show so we went in to check it out. The bar/restaurant area was set up lovely and they had an outside court area with a fountain that was perfect for displaying art. It must be lovely sitting out here on a nice day having lunch or a drink. Our friend, Tina Goldsmith had her mosaics on display throughout the store. There were a couple other artist there as well. One did some pottery design and one had their paintings set up on display. It was fun seeing some friends we hadn’t seen in a while. Tina’s mosaic pieces were gorgeous and were quite the hit with the crowd.

Beautiful tile stairs going from one level to the next. 

After leaving that shop, we headed back up to the second level to see Roger and stayed till the end of their show. Seeing all the Christmas lights and hearing great Christmas carols has brought the spirit of Christmas into our hearts once again. This holiday event was from 5 pm to 8 pm on December 6th. They do this every year so if you missed out on doing it this year, try to get there next year. It is a lot of fun with music, friends, and you can possibly finish up your Christmas shopping. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. Bye for now.

“Bless is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.”

Hamilton Wright Mable