We are now fully immersed in the holiday season. And with the holiday come a flurry of holiday traditions. My family kicked off the holidays with our annual trip to Jim Thorpe, PA over Thanksgiving weekend.

Jim Thorpe is a quaint old town in Pennsylvania where my family starts off there holiday shopping. This annual trip is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving which works out perfectly because it coincides with Small Business Saturday. In addition to taking advantage of holiday sales, shortening our lists we are also helping out local businesses.

We pile the kids and cousins in the mini van and head to Jim Thorpe. We always start at the Mauch Chunk 5 & 10. A 5 & 10 is a rare find these days and never disappoints. Chock-full of goodies holiday items, gloves, hats, toys everything and anything you might need at reasonable prices. 

From there we head down to the Gem Shop, by far my favorite shop in town. The Gem Shop has gorgeous jewelry as well as hats, gloves, shoes, and accessories. The Gem Shop is a fabulous find because they carry quality trendy jewelry at reasonable prices. Many a gift has been purchased for my friends and family at the Gem Shop throughout the years.

Not all the stores are family friendly and the kids definitely get a little ancy as we make our way up the main drag of town but the promise of candy at the end of the journey usually keeps them in line. Aptly named End of the Rainbow candy store the kids have their choice of handmade chocolates and candies. However, my kids usually pick nerds rope and gum- there is no accounting for taste. 

This year an added bonus was a scavenger hunt many of the stores were hosting. This was new to us and the kids and adults enjoyed the fact that they were kept busy and searching for the scavenger hunt pictures. 

Missing this year was the horse and carriage ride through town. Normally you can take a horse and buggy ride and the kids all climb on in their Santa hats and take a ride around the town. Great photo op and the kids love it they even know the driver and the horse’s name they have done it so many years. I hope they bring it back next year.