🌴 How to Enjoy Christmas Break in Charleston

One more sleep till Christmas!

If you are like me, you are stuffing candy into stockings, making sure you have all the last minute gift cards and deciding if you are going to wrap each gift or just have it all waiting under the tree for your kids! If you are like my husband you are feeling the stress of work and sales but supporting local by buying Cinnabons from the local bakery (Wildflour of course) for Christmas morning! No matter how you contribute to Christmas in your household, this week’s newsletter will help. We have a few fun places to visit this week, the perfect restaurant for a family lunch or dinner, and a poem that will make you remember why Christmastime is so special. Enjoy!

If you’ve been to The Battery recently, you’ve probably noticed some big changes. This iconic waterfront promenade has been undergoing one of the most significant renovations in years, and the finished result is something truly special. We actually met here for our Christmas photos this year, and at the time I had no idea just how important this completed project was to Charleston and its future.

Over the past five years, the City of Charleston has worked to restore and strengthen the Low Battery seawall and promenade, an area that has taken a beating from storms, flooding, and rising tides. Large sections of the wall were rebuilt and raised to better protect the peninsula, while preserving the historic charm that makes this stretch of waterfront so loved.

The renovation also made the Battery more accessible and family friendly. Walkways are smoother, transitions between sections are easier to navigate with strollers, and there are more comfortable spots to pause and take in the harbor views. The result is a space that feels both timeless and thoughtfully updated.

Today, the Battery feels like a place meant to be enjoyed slowly. From watching boats in the harbor to letting kids run around White Point Garden or snapping photos with Charleston’s most beautiful backdrop, this newly revitalized stretch is a reminder of why locals and visitors alike are drawn to this corner of the city.

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With warmer weather and a little extra time to fill, grabbing lunch or an early dinner and then walking around Shem Creek Boardwalk is one of our favorite go to activities. We’ve tried most of the restaurants along the creek, but Tavern & Table truly stands out as a place we keep coming back to.

One of the biggest draws is the outdoor seating. Sitting outdoors somehow puts kids into a flow state and they sit still better! On a good day, you can sit outside and still be under the covered patio, which is perfect for unpredictable weather or cooler evenings, so bring a jacket just in case. The staff runs like a well oiled machine, and while they offer all the regular restaurant favorites like kids meals, salads, and burgers, they also go beyond the basics with some standout dishes.

Often, dinner with a view can mean sacrificing food quality or service, but that’s not the case here. The menu might feel a little random at first glance, but everything is done extremely well. The burnt ends mac and cheese is absolutely worth ordering, and the skillet cornbread with hot wings and pimento jam with bacon is always a hit at the table. AND that is just to start! The short rib, bolognese, and brick oven pizzas are all incredible options that feel elevated without being intimidating.

Tavern & Table is located at 100 Church Street in Mount Pleasant and is open Wednesday from 11am to 4pm, closed and Thursday for Christmas (rude but understandable) Friday will be a boxing day and Saturday from 11am to 11pm, Sunday from 10am to 10pm. Normal hours range from 11am-11pm most days. If you’re looking for a spot that delivers great food, solid service, and one of the best views on Shem Creek, this is an easy win for families and date nights alike.

I asked chat GPT to make a poem about what it feels like as a child enjoy the in between days from Christmas to new years. The result is a tear jerker and wow is AI thoughtful! I hope you enjoy and remember that these weird days between Christmas and new years are lazy and meant to be enjoyed!

These are the days with no names,
where socks don’t match
and time forgets how to hurry.

The tree is still glowing,
the toys are everywhere,
and pajamas are acceptable
from morning until night.

This is my favorite part.
When the rules get soft
and the days feel long.
When breakfast can be cookies
and bedtime is a suggestion.

I don’t know what day it is.
I just know you’re home.
The calendar is empty.
The house feels warm.
Everything feels okay.

I want to play one more game.
Watch one more movie.
Show you my new toy again.
Sit a little closer on the couch.

I don’t know this won’t last.
I just know that right now
life feels fun and full and safe,
and I hope you stay right here with me.

Merry Christmas! Thank you for supporting your families this whole year, but especially this holiday season. And thank you for supporting us!

Love, Jenna