Friday night was my night off and a great night for me to get out and nip my Christmas shopping in the bud. I got some done earlier in the week online but I wanted to see what deals I could find at the mall. I also wanted to check out Ligonier all lit up as I missed Light-Up Night a few weeks ago and missed a golden opportunity to see some Christmas lights last week.
Even though I planned on celebrating 500 blog posts by eating at Burgatory in Murrysville, I could have taken a drive through Penn Township and North Huntingdon to see the houses all decorated for Christmas. My mom and I always did that in the past going to and from Gram’s house and still do that to this day. Instead, I opted to go to Monroeville Mall. That would’ve been nice, except it was an hour from closing time and it didn’t look as decorated as Westmoreland Mall did when I visited a few weeks ago. Plus, Monroeville Mall isn’t the safest mall anymore and it’s a shell of what it once was. I was out of there within a half hour.
I made up for my mistake when I decided to go do my Christmas shopping at Westmoreland Mall. I started at JCPenney and wasn’t as successful but things got better as time went on. I shopped at the calendar kiosk, and then went to Gamestop before ending with Old Navy and Hallmark. I saw some cool Grinch merchandise perfect for my fabulous sister. I have a little more shopping to do, plus a Market District run to get some things for Christmas Day, so I’m hoping to do that this weekend or next week. I left the mall and grabbed dinner at Eat’n Park in Latrobe, and then it was off to Ligonier.
The Diamond and the town were packed and you had to drive around to find a parking spot on this Friday evening two weeks before Christmas. Two weeks ago was Light Up night, and on this Friday evening Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance. Both events brought everyone out. The band shell was the perfect spot for kids to ask Santa what they wanted for Christmas and meet Mrs. Claus. The whole town was lit up and the tree in the gazebo made for a perfect Christmas photo opportunity. The photos and video I took say it all and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect on Friday night.
Looking ahead to this week and next week, I’ll be finishing up Christmas shopping and buying some things for Christmas Day. I’m hinting at making a Market District run somewhere in the Pittsburgh area. Not sure if it will be Robinson, South Hills, or even Wexford. Maybe there I can also wrap up my shopping.
In the meantime, enjoy the pictures of the little Hallmark Christmas town and little Stars Hollow known as Ligonier.
Stylish 🍒 