I hope you had a safe and savory holiday! I think I was on FaceTime for about five hours yesterday. It’s good to see loved ones and eat delicious foods. It’s also very easy to overdo it.
After the meal is over and the dishes are washed, it’s time to check in with yourself. There are a couple ways to bounce back from a potentially overwhelming holiday. Give yourself plenty of time to rest. Naps, baths and bad movies are welcome. If you had to prepare a high-pressure meal and it didn’t go as planned, make sure to look on the mishaps with humor. Laugh it off with this collection of Thanksgiving Fails. Savor the good memories you made this year, maybe even write them down in a journal. And, if you’re feeling as stuffed as the turkey, stretch it out with Yoga with Adriene’s Holiday Meal Digestion video.
Between digesting Thanksgiving dinner, coping with new norms this year, missing loved ones, and fitting in that shopping this weekend and cyber Monday, make sure you aren’t overdoing it this weekend. Make sure you give yourself time to digest and breathe. This weekend, remember to stretch.
Make sure you give yourself time to digest and breathe. This weekend, remember to stretch.
Saturday
You don’t want to be cooped up all winter. Stretch your mind and try something new! Atlantis Hobby has enough games and activities to keep you busy all winter. This Saturday, the store has several free plays, including Star Wars X-Wing and Pokémon from noon to 4 p.m., and then learn to play Keyforge from 4-7 p.m. The Mankato Curling Club is offering classes for beginners or those in need of a refresher before League play. This weekend’s class runs from 6:30-9 p.m. Register here.
The Bellissimo Tree Farm Tree Hunt is on! There are gifts and prizes hidden all over Old Town Mankato. Follow Bellissimo Paint on Facebook for clues. I think I’ll head down to Old Town on the bike and do some exploring. Hope to see you there!
Sunday
It’s a great day to wrap up some holiday shopping. The Holiday Market in the Arts Center of St. Peter will be open from 1-5 p.m., now featuring Jewelry and Fiber Art. This is also the last day of the Mankato area’s week-long Shop Small event. Make sure to get in on the deals and giveaways while there’s still time! From Commerce Drive to Old Town to the mall, Mankato and North Mankato are full of wonderful small shops. Restaurants unable to serve at this time have gift cards and to-go deals, so don’t forget to check them out! Participating businesses are listed on the Greater Mankato Growth website.
Once you get wrapping, stretch your creativity. Wrapping paper and bags are a huge source of waste this time of year. Save and re-use gift bags, or check out this list of Zero Waste Gift Wrapping Ideas.
Monday
You’ll need to search high and low, so make sure you stretch before you start. This Monday, the North Mankato Taylor Library and Business on Belgrade are kicking off their 4th annual Medallion Hunt! Follow their social media or sign up online to receive the clues. Clues will be posted daily at 4 p.m. until the medallion is found. Once found, bring it to the North Mankato Taylor Library to receive your prize. Good luck!
It’s Maker Monday with the Twilight Garden Club! Pick up a kit from the Blue Earth County Library between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., then follow along online from 6-7 p.m. as they show you how to create a Christmas ornament.
Bonus: Shop Small
No matter how you’re spending your Black Friday, make sure you show some love to our local and small businesses. This weekend wraps up Shop Small week in greater Mankato. Supporting these businesses allows them to continue providing quality goods and services for our community. Check out the list of participating businesses and, once you’re done with those leftovers, grab some food to-go from local restaurants.
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Weekend High Notes is a regular feature by Molly Butler. Molly covers weekend events, live music, and culture in the Greater Mankato Area. Suggestions are welcome using the MankatoLIFE contact form.
