From our family to yours…

pexels-photo-717988

Photo by Pexels

Is there anything better than waking up on Christmas morning? It was amazing as a kid (and celebrating with kids) but as an adult, it’s a rare day to wake up knowing you have an entire day with nothing else to do other than spending time with people you love. No meetings, no errands, no deadlines – just coffee, gift giving + quality time.

We appreciate you starting each day with us. Our goal is to help you connect with your community daily, and we couldn’t do what we do without the support of our readers. Your support is the ultimate gift. 🙌

In lieu of our normal news + events section, we’re leaving with you a quick Christmas note so you can get back to the holiday. We hope today you’ll spend time reflecting on the year past + enjoying time with your loved ones.

👫 People. Celebrate today with the ones you love. Do a puzzle, play a game or just sit with some local coffee. Need conversation inspiration? Story Corps has put together a guide of meaningful questions that inspire good conversations. Start asking here.
🎁 Giving. Gifts + service to others. Reflect on what has been given to you this year + how you can give back in 2019.
Time. Go for a run, read a book, spend an extra few minutes in bed, or take a hot bath. You deserve it. Here is a guide of local trails if you want to get outside today.

And, if you’re humble-bragging to your relatives about Columbia around the dinner table today, send them our 48-hour guide to our city. We have a lot to be grateful for here in the 803.

More from COLAtoday
The Great Backyard Bird Count invites participants to observe and report birds to help track global populations.
Columbia has seven sister cities worldwide, fostering cultural ties. Explore Cola’s connections to Accra, Ghana; Kaiserslautern, Germany; and Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
If you’re trying to reach new running goals, consider signing up for one of these upcoming races or find ways to get more steps in around Columbia
Want to get involved locally but don’t know how? Browse through the City of Columbia’s city boards and commissions that have vacancies and apply.
Columbia’s craft beer scene continues to evolve, with longtime favorites expanding, new taprooms opening, and several breweries closing their doors as the industry reshapes after a decade of growth.
It’s the season of the pumpkins, so we’re rounding up a list of places to go picking. Check out these patches, farms, and nurseries.
The number eight symbolizes South Carolina’s history — from the eight Lords Proprietors and colonial rulers to becoming the nation’s eighth state.
Columbia, SC has 230+ years of history. In this guide, we’re diving into the city’s oldest streets and how they got their names.
Discover Columbia’s late-night dining spots, from Tex-Mex and pizza to pub fare and desserts, perfect for post-11 p.m. cravings.
With a history dating back thousands of years, museums in the Midlands showcase the history of the area, from the earliest settlers to the the trains that transformed cities and towns.