After really enjoying it last year, my wife and I decided to go to the opening day of the Tacoma Holiday Food & Gift show at the Tacoma Dome this afternoon.  When it comes to putting you in the ‘Christmas Mood’, it certainly did not disappoint!

We didn’t buy anything, like last year, yet between all the great decorations, the beautiful lights and the Christmas music they were playing the entire time we were there, it was just awesome!  Ticket cost $11 (we had a $1 off coupon, so $10 for us) and I saw someone there with a “2 for 1” coupon from a local radio station that was good for the 1st day of the show only… gonna have to look into that for next year!  Parking was $8, the same as last year.  What really stinks is that my wife had to use a wheel chair, she had surgery 2 weeks ago, and there were no handicapped parking spots available (yes, we have a handicapped parking pass).

Once we got in and started looking around I knew where I wanted to go and that was to find “Sandy’s Candies”.  Last year I got the most amazing Egg Nog Fudge from that booth.  I actually tried making it myself a few times and since my attempts sucked, I have been telling people how incredible it was there from the show.  I knew right where the booth was.  As we got closer I could almost taste it.  When it was finally time, I stepped up and started looking for it so I could order a pound (to have plenty to bring home and share with everyone).  I couldn’t see it though… where was it?!?!  So I asked and was told, “We didn’t bring the egg nog this year.”  WTF!?!?  I was FUDGE DENIED!  UGH!!!  Oh well, I guess I didn’t really need the calories anyway, huh?

The rest of the show was really cool.  We saw a lot of the same booths as last year, with several new ones.  There were a lot of really cool items, just too spendy, right now anyway.  I really enjoyed looking at the decorations.  Be it the giant sleigh by where you can get your pic taken with Santa or the huge Christmas tree that rose up to the middle of the Tacoma Dome.  At one booth I saw a ton of people gathered around it and it had something to do with lights, so I made sure to check it out on our next pass by and what it was is a system to store your lights, “Tangle Free”.  Basically it helps you put your lights in a plastic bag, in a way, as to not tangle them.  Kinda cool… but I use the “Light Ball” method,  it’s easy and free! 🙂

The show is fun and after 2 years of going to it I am hoping we make it a Christmas Tradition… would be a great way to kick start the most festive of seasons!

Btw, Karolyn Grimes (aka Zuzu Baily) was there again as well.  She was busy signing pictures and dvd’s for anyone that wanted one and there was a line!