The City Cast Boise crew finally got KTVB’s Brenda Rodriguez on the mic, and we spent today’s podcast episode diving into how we hope to spend the upcoming month. We know that December can be a tough time with expectations and mounting commitments, but hopefully our conversation can help you practice some self-care and lean into festivities, even if it’s only a little bit.
A Festive Coffee Shop & Lights Day
One of Brenda’s favorite ways to get into the holiday spirit is by visiting a local coffee shop, which are accessible and often go all-out with decorations and holiday specials. She’ll use that as base, then consult the ever-expanding Boise Christmas Lights map, which features community and home light displays around the valley.
Another honorable mention from Brenda: She wants to try a cooking class (especially when it’s snowing outside), which is a great gift idea for the aspiring foodie in your life.
The 2023 map is live, but will be updated over the next couple of weeks as displays go up. (Boise Christmas Lights / Google Maps)
Treasure Valley Thriftmas
Evelyn’s love of thrifting is translating onto her holiday gift list, where she’s looking to keep the bill low but the presents personal. While she’s had some appropriately choice words for local thrifting recently, participating in Thriftmas is less about finding your next statement piece and more about getting your loved ones something quirky and vintage that they maybe wouldn’t consider buying for themselves.
Idaho Winter Hot Springs Trip
When the crowds, early sunsets, and inevitable inversions get to be too much, head to a hot springs. Idaho has more natural hot springs than any other U.S. state, so there’s something out there for everyone. And there’s nothing that will make you appreciate the winter like sitting in a pool while it’s snowing.
Last tip: Patron your favorite local theater, because it’s movie season! Our buddy George Prentice and I recently talked about some that we were looking forward to if you need recommendations (starting at 14:52).
