Sponsored
Our friends at Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lakes are in full holiday mode and Gingerbread School is now in session. At the school, you’ll construct your very own Gingerbread House under the tutelage of the resort’s pastry team. You’ll erect prebaked gingerbread panels on a wooden foundation and decorate it with candies and other goodies anyway you want to without having to worry about your homeowners association. And when it’s finished you can list it on Airbnb or just eat the whole thing. (Well, not the foundation.)
Gingerbread School is a popular annual event at the Ritz and several dates have already sold out. Here’s the current schedule:
- Saturday, December 7th – FULLY COMMITTED
- Sunday, December 8th – FULLY COMMITTED
- Thursday, December 19th – 9am + 12pm + 3pm
- Friday, December 20th – 9am + 12pm + 3pm
- Saturday, December 21st – 9am + 12pm ONLY
- Sunday, December 22nd – FULLY COMMITTED
Cost is $195 for a family of four and reservations are required: 407-393-4648. Cost includes a $10 donation to The Children’s Miracle Network and a personalized brick on Santa’s Workshop.
On Thursday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m., there’s a special gingerbread construction class called Bubbles & Ginger with Champagne and savory treats. Cost is $255 for maximum of four people (must be 21; valid ID required). Very limited space so RSVP now: 407-393-4648.
Santa’s Teddy Bear Tea, a holiday version of a traditional tea, kicks off Saturday, Dec. 7, with various dates throughout the month. Cost is $65 per person and includes a special gift for the children, an ornament craft and a visit from Santa. Reservations required: 407-393-4648.
Here’s the Teddy Bear Tea schedule:
- Saturday, December 7th – 11am + 3pm
- Sunday, December 8th – 11am + 3pm
- Friday, December 20th – 11am + 3pm
- Saturday, December 21st – 11am + 3pm
- Sunday, December 22nd – 11am + 3pm
- Monday, December 23rd – 11am + 3pm
And of course there will be holiday dining at the Southern accented Highball & Harvest.
A Christmas Day farm-to-fork buffet feast will be served from noon to 8 p.m. Raw bar and live entertainment, too. $120 Adults, $50 Children 12 & under.
H& H will also host a special New Year’s Eve dinner featuring its a la carte menu and special holiday inspired dishes paired with Champagne craft cocktails from the restaurant’s talented bar crew. Dinner from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
After dinner, head to the resort’s New Year’s Eve celebration in the beautiful, newly renovated Lobby Lounge, with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment, from 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Then, the next day, it’s my favorite event: Recovery Brunch at Highball & Harvest. Omelet stations, Southern cuisine and unlimited Champagne and mimosas, from noon to 2 p.m. Cost is $58 for adults and $20 for kids.
All events have limited seating and all require reservations, so call 407-393-4648 now and start celebrating in style.
