🌴 Holidays in CHS without the Burnout

Happy November, Palmetto Parents!

This week’s newsletter features Pirate Ship Park on Daniel Island, a storybook-style playground that feels like stepping into an adventure, complete with slides, climbing ropes, and lookout towers. We’re also highlighting the Tree Lighting and Hometown Heroes Celebration at Tanger Outlets on November 8, a free family event filled with Santa visits, music, food trucks, crafts, and plenty of holiday cheer. And if you’re looking for a cozy spot to unwind, Café Roca is a local favorite that serves great coffee!

As the holiday season begins, remember to take care of yourself too. The best gift you can give your family is a calm and happy you!

We’ve got some exciting news this week. Our new friend Bill Olsen has joined the Palmetto Parents community, and he’s been doing amazing work sharing the latest on Charleston businesses and historic homes through his socials. We’re thrilled to now be supporting each other’s newsletters.

Now for something fun—help my family settle a debate! 🎄 Do you put Christmas decorations up before Thanksgiving or after? Click the poll in this week’s issue to cast your vote and let’s see where everyone stands.

Meet Something Creative, a local maker who turns mindfulness into art. By day she’s a therapist, and by night she hand knots beautiful beaded necklaces here in Charleston, each piece crafted with care, color, and intention. Shop her handmade creations and support a small, heartfelt business that gives back to the community. Read more about her story and how she uses jewelry to support local families in the Palmetto Piece this week.

If your kids love adventure, Pirate Ship Park on Daniel Island is the perfect weekend destination. This playground is a kid’s dream come true, designed like a giant pirate ship complete with slides, climbing ropes, and lookout towers. Every visit feels like stepping right into a storybook adventure. Whenever we have gone, there is almost always the cutest pirate themed birthday party happening for some lucky kid, with little pirates running around in hats and eye patches. The play sword fighting is always fun to watch and adds to the energy of the park.

Parents will love the relaxed setup with shaded benches and plenty of green space to spread out. The paved walk way is perfect for scooters and bikes (just keep an eye on the pond). There is usually plenty of street parking nearby, making it an easy spot to get to without the hassle of long walks or crowded lots. There is a pirate ship that doubles as a playground, swings, a stand alone jungle gym and a light house that doubles as a giant slide. It is a great park for all ages, from toddlers to big kids who want to climb and explore.

Parent Tip: There is no public restroom at the park so plan accordingly!

Before heading over, make a quick pit stop at Blondies Bagels and Café at 245 Seven Farms Drive, Suite 130. It is the perfect place to grab a coffee or bagel on your way to the park or a quick lunch afterwards. A themed and quality park like this tends to be rare, but this park is worth the hype! Pirate Ship Park and Blondies make the perfect pair for a fun and easy family outing on Daniel Island.

When the clock strikes midnight on October 31, the season instantly switches from Halloween to Christmas season! If you’re a little bit of a Grinch, don’t worry… I promise not to flood your inbox with too much Christmas cheer before Thanksgiving. But this event is too good to skip. I’m always looking for a fun, free Saturday outing that’s memorable for my kids, inexpensive, and starts late enough that our baby gets a full afternoon nap. This one checks every box.

The Tree Lighting and Hometown Heroes Celebration at Tanger Outlets is happening November 8th from 10am to 7pm and it’s the perfect way to kick off the holidays. The day starts with a Gift Much Vendor Market from 10am to 4pm, followed by a celebration honoring local heroes at 4pm. There will be community and school performances at 4:30pm, and at 5:30pm, Santa himself will arrive in a parade leading up to the grand tree lighting countdown at 5:45pm.

From 4-7pm, families can enjoy photos with Santa, live music by the Cooper River Band, crafts, train rides, stilt walkers, balloon twisting, face painting, food trucks, and so much more. It’s the kind of event that makes everyone happy. The kids get their Christmas magic, and parents get a stress-free day out.

While you’re there, make sure to stop by Auntie Anne’s Pretzels (a chain, but still incredible) and grab a salty pretzel or cinnamon sugar twist. The outlets also have a few delicious empanada stands, which are perfect for a warm snack or an easy dinner for the kids.

The celebration takes place at 4840 Tanger Outlet Blvd in North Charleston, and it’s completely free to attend. Bring your crew and get ready to start the holiday season with some sparkle.

Kid friendly and full of good vibes, Café Roca is the kind of place that makes you want to stay a while. From the moment you walk in, the cozy atmosphere and friendly staff set the tone for a relaxed, welcoming experience. There is a record-listening section where you can enjoy hand-picked music that changes daily, along with plenty of seating, including a few comfy couches that make it easy to settle in with your coffee or meal.

Café Roca is a reflection of the love the owners have for the community and their personal preferences in food, music, and design. The often changing menu is, where possible, locally sourced, with much of its influence coming from Latin, Asian, and American culture. The space was designed and built by hand from found, salvaged, reclaimed, and recycled materials. Each song played through the speakers is carefully chosen, and their hope is to create a space that enriches the lives of their guests in small but meaningful ways.

The offer amazing coffee drinks and lates with a hearty menu. The bakery section is always a hit. There main menu includes appetizers and small bites like wantons, green eggs and ham or whipped goat berry and bruschetta. They also offer classic breakfast items like sandwiches and breakfast tacos. They have some salad options as well!

Café Roca is open Monday through Friday from 6am to 3pm and on weekends from 7am to 3pm. There is convenient parking lot right in front and after lunch, be sure to visit St. Andrews Park and Playground (1095 Playground Rd behind the cafe) to let the kids play or to enjoy a short walk!

Self care and the holiday season do not always mix. Between planning activities, buying gifts, and trying to make everything magical, it can be easy for parents to forget about their own needs. But this year, let’s try something different. Instead of ending the holidays feeling drained, let’s start them with intention and a plan to protect our peace.

Holiday burnout usually starts long before December. We overcommit, overspend, and overextend ourselves trying to make every moment perfect for our kids. But the magic of the season does not depend on how much we do or buy. The best memories come from the simple moments when we are rested and fully present.

One of the best tips for the holidays is to remember that your children’s feelings do not have to determine your plans. It is okay to say no to an event or skip a toy that will likely be forgotten by January. I have given my children plenty of gifts that fell flat, and it taught me that what matters most is not the perfect present but the presence of calm, joy, and gratitude in our home. Plan your holiday season in a way that helps your family feel rested, creative, and thankful.

For our sponsor this week, self care looked like starting something meaningful. She began making jewelry as a personal outlet, and it grew into a beautiful way to support a family in need and a nonprofit close to her heart. All proceeds from her jewelry business go to help a family whose daughter was lost to domestic violence. Her parents are now raising her children, and this jewelry business helps support them. Her work is a powerful reminder that self care can also be an act of giving.

Self care during the holidays does not have to be complicated. It might look like sharing something you are grateful for each night at dinner, taking a quiet walk alone, or skipping one busy event for a cozy night at home. Sometimes the best way to care for yourself is simply to rest and protect your time. A well-rested parent is far more likely to enjoy the season than a tired one.

This holiday season, take time to rest, simplify, and choose what matters most. The joy of the holidays does not come from doing more. It comes from slowing down enough to enjoy the moments you work so hard to create. When we care for ourselves, we show our children how to find peace and joy that last well beyond the holidays.

That’s all for this week! I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Christmas decoration poll, and if you visit any of these spots, tag us so we can share your adventures. Here’s to a weekend that’s equal parts cozy and fun.

Love, Jenna