Meet me at the Christmas Train Parade

When Charlotte’s son Benny learns about an old tradition, he persuades her to try and reignite the Christmas magic that brought neighboring communities together. Netflix – Prime.

Q-tips say: YES, We enjoyed this movie. A great movie for the family to enjoy.

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Santa Boot Camp

Hired by shopping mall magnate Ed Mancini to host a Christmas gala for his biggest investors, Emily heads to Santa Bootcamp – to find the perfect Santa and the inspiration she’ll need to make the evening a success.

anta Bootcamp (the Lifetime movie) is about a stressed-out event planner, Emily, who’s hired to organize a huge Christmas gala but can’t find a decent Santa, so she goes to Santa Bootcamp herself to find inspiration and ends up rediscovering Christmas spirit, romance, and her own purpose with help from a drill sergeant (played by Rita Moreno). Essentially, it’s a festive romantic comedy where a holiday skeptic learns the true meaning of Christmas while attending a quirky Santa training camp.  Netflix

It’s a classic holiday movie formula with a fun, silly premise, directed by Melissa Joan Hart, that focuses on finding the magic within during the holiday season.  

Q-tips say: YES, Watch it! We enjoyed & had a few laughs.

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PIEROGI INN – Sarasota, FL 12/10/25

Photo of Pierogi Inn - Sarasota, FL, United States

PIEROGI INN – 6611 Superior Ave, Sarasota, FL 34231, (941) 929-0101

Q-Tips say: THIS IS THE PLACE TO GO for DELICIOUS Polish and Ukrainian foods in the Sarasota FL area. All kinds of Pierogis, Kolaczki, Beet/Beef Barley Soup mixes and ready made. Wonderful sausages w/tasty garlic (Kielbasa). Head Cheese, marinated herring fillets (Sledziowe marynowane), and much more. Pleasant servers and they do take charge cards. Also carry Polish holiday cards and Christmas ornaments. Go and enjoy, we did.

Pierogi Inn features a fine selection of Polish foods including homemade, fresh and smoked polish sausage and other best quality gourmet meat products.
And also offer a huge selection of all kinds of goods like pickles, sauerkraut, jams, juices, syrups, pastas, candies, cookies, chocolates, and much more.

Photo of Pierogi Inn - Sarasota, FL, United States
Photo of Pierogi Inn - Sarasota, FL, United States
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The Motown Christmas Special

The special will showcase iconic Motown legends performing holiday favorites and Hitsville U.S.A. classics alongside today’s biggest stars performing exclusive solos, unexpected duets and exciting group medleys in a riveting night of music. The special will include performances featuring more than 25 Motown hits, performed by Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, and the Temptations. In addition, today’s contemporary stars will pay tribute to iconic Motown hits, with artists such as Ashanti, Andra Day, BeBe Winans, Halle Bailey, Jamie Foxx, JoJo, Jordin Sparks, mgk, October London, and Pentatonix and, plus a world exclusive performance from the Broadway company “MJ the Musical.” From chart-topping hits such as “ABC,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” to “Dancing in the Streets” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”, “My Girl”, “Reach Out (I’ll be There)” and “Tears of a Clown”, plus “Stop (In the Name of Love),” “Superstition” and many more, “A Motown Christmas” will be an iconic celebration of timeless classics. Peacock. approx. 1 1/2 hours.

Q-tips say: YES, we did enjoy this show.

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SCANDINAVIAN GIFTS and MARKET – Sarasota, FL 2025

SCANDINAVIAN GIFTS and MARKET – 2166 Gulf Gate Dr., Sarasota, FL 34231, (941) 923-4313
scandinavian-south.com

12/10/25 –

Q-Tips say: KRINGLES, yummmm! Scandinavian Gifts has Linens, Glassware, cookbooks, jewelry, candles, collectibles and the best of all they have “Danish Kringles.” Kringles come frozen and can be refrozen, so you can have half at a time. Kringles are a family size dessert made in Racine, Wisconsin. Kringles come in many flavors: Nut, Cherry, Apricot, Cheese & Cherry.,etc. They have the closed they St. Armand’s Circle Store at 7 S. Blvd of the Presidents, Sarasota. GREAT PLACE- Scandinavian food items like crisp bread, candies, canned fish, and spreads. Cookbooks, glassware, china, and refrigerated Scandinavian food like a tube of smoked roe, pickled herring, 14 flavors of Kringle, and Swedish meatballs. Tons of shirts and hats. Glassware items, candles, and Scandinavian Christmas decorations. They have lots of viking stuff, including many sizes of viking figurines, goblets, and bowls. We like Kringles and bought Cherry and Apricot. YUM!

Mrs. Q says: Why go all the way to Wisc., or order over the internet, when you can get your KRINGLE FIX right here in Sarasota FL. Enjoy those Kringles, we do.

Kringle
Gifts
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Phillippi Creek Oyster Rest.

Photo of Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar - Sarasota, FL, United States

5353 S Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL, (941) 925-4444 – www.creekseafood.com

Q’s Began our dinner by sharing: Steamed Clams – 1 dozen steamed clams.- everything was just average. Service/food, etc. has gone down a few notches.

Had our usual libations- Old Fashion & Perfect Manhattan.

We shared: The Soft Schell Crabs – was to be sauteed but they were Fried. Sides: Cole Slaw/parsley potatoes/ hush puppies.

Photo of Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar - Sarasota, FL, United States
Outside dining
Photo of Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar - Sarasota, FL, United States
Inside dining
Photo of Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar - Sarasota, FL, United States. Dozen steamed oysters!
A dozen steamed clams
Photo of Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar - Sarasota, FL, United States. Raw Oyster On the Half Shell
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OH What Fun

Claire Clauster (Michelle Pfeiffer) is the glue that holds her chaotic, lovable family together every holiday season. From perfectly frosted cookies to meticulously wrapped gifts, no one decks the halls quite like Claire. But this year, as her grown kids and distracted husband get swept up in their own seasonal dramas, they make one crucial mistake: they forget their mom. By the time they realize she’s missing, Claire’s already set off on a festive adventure of her own — one that doesn’t involve cooking, cleaning, or coordinating anyone else’s chaos. As her family scrambles to find her and salvage their Christmas, Claire rediscovers what the holidays mean when you’re finally free to put yourself first. Prime

Q- tips say: Might not be for everyone.

Mrs. Q says: Many Women might recognize themselves in this movie.

Michelle Pfeiffer stands up for underappreciated mothers taken for granted during the holidays. Oh. What. Fun. shows what happens when dear mom finally reaches her breaking point.

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Candy Cane Lane

Eddie Murphy stars in this holiday comedy adventure about a man on a mission to win his neighborhood’s annual Christmas home decoration contest. After Chris (Eddie Murphy) inadvertently makes a deal with a mischievous elf named Pepper (Jillian Bell) to better his chances of winning, she casts a magic spell that brings the 12 Days of Christmas to life, and wreaks havoc on the whole town. At the risk of ruining the holidays for his family, Chris, his wife Carol (Tracee Ellis Ross), and their three children must race against the clock to break Pepper’s spell, battle deviously magical characters, and save Christmas for everyone. Netflix

Q-tips say: We watched it & DID NOT ENJOY IT!

Watch Dr. Suess How the Grinch Stole Christmas instead.

Mrs. Q says: Candy Cane Lane will disappoint viewers looking for a truly funny Christmas comedy.

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Dr. Suess – How the Grinch Stole Christmas

In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children’s tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who. Netflix

Q-tips say: YES, we did enjoy it!

Mrs. Q says: I think “the Grinch” is a beautiful Christmas movie with a nice meaning and a beautiful message about love, sharing and being nice.

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Sea Life Kayaking Adventures

190 Taft Dr Sarasota, FL, (941) 400-2740, sealifekayak.com

Grandson & Daughter went on a Kayak Tour. Both had a great trip in their own kayak & enjoyed the day Lido Key FL.

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