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We hope you and your family are enjoying the holidays! (And that everyone got what they wanted this year!)

Happy Channukah and Merry Christmas!

–The editors of Family Vacation Critic

My coworkers and I were discussing whether or not we take the shampoos and soaps from the hotels in which we stay. A few said “no way” while a few of us said they were for our use and part of the price of the hotel. But the conversation grew to: do you horde the better toiletries to get housekeeping to leave you more? Again, a few said no while a few of us said yes. (I’m sorry but I loved the H20 lotion I received on Disney Cruise Line, and told housekeeping as much so they even started to leave me extras, without my asking!) A minor argument ensued: is it theft to hide toiletries in your suitcase to receive another set from housekeeping? I loved that one coworker knows a writer who does do this, and then donates it to homeless shelters, which is more a Robin Hood approach.

The argument turned into where do you draw the line? We all agreed taking bathrobes, towels or pillows is definitely stealing. So, do you take incidentals from the hotel room? Maybe grab every note pad left in the room? Every pen? What do you take, if you do take anything? Do you think it is stealing or that it is included in the price of your room?

–Lissa Poirot

My favorite part of the holiday season during my childhood in Florida was watching the boat parades, with boats lit up with festive lights and holiday displays. One of the country’s best holiday boat parades will take place this weekend in Newport Harbor, with the 103rd Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade in California.

The event actually began on Wednesday, with boats lighting their displays, some of which feature more than $50,000 in decorations! This weekend, the parade will come to a close on Sunday, the 18th, with a 14-mile boat parade around Newport Harbor and a fireworks show to close the event at 9 p.m. A Fun Zone on the Balboa Peninsula will offer great views (free parking in nearby).

If you’re visiting Los Angeles or the Orange County area this weekend, add it to your itinerary!

Photo credit: John Blom Photography

–Lissa Poirot

Celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, while traveling this holiday season. Hanukkah begins its eight-day celebration on December 20, with some notable family events occurring nationwide.

Washington, D.C.
Our nation’s capital celebrates the holiday with the national menorah lighting at 4 p.m. The event, held outside the White House, includes kids activities, live entertainment and the official lighting led by a rabbi. Tickets to the free event are required.

New York
The world’s largest menorah stands 32 feet tall, weighs 4,000 pounds, and will be lit on December 20 at the Grand Army Plaza across from The Plaza Hotel on 5th Avenue and 59th Street. A candle will be lit nightly at 5:30 p.m. (3:30 on Friday and 8:30 on Saturday, in honor of the Sabbath). The nightly lighting is free.

Miami
The 36th annual South Florida Chanukah Festival will take place December 26 at 7 p.m. at Gulfstream Village in Hallandale. The family event will include the lighting of one of the country’s biggest menorahs, live music and entertainment, and activities for the kids.

San Francisco
The Bay city’s lighting of its 25-foot-tall menorah occurs in Union Square at 4 p.m. on December 20th. The event includes an ice skating party, latkes and donuts, and other family fun. The event is free but skating requires a minimal fee.

Photo: copyright American Friends of Lubavitch

–Lissa Poirot

With a name like Bethlehem, the Pennsylvania town is known as Christmas City, and many families make a pilgrimage to the town located under two hours from Philadelphia. There are a number of Christmas events throughout December, including:

52nd Annual Christmas Peace Pilgrimage, December 10
Begin in 1960, the 10-mile walk from Bethlehem to Nazareth, Pa., is for all religions to gather to promote peace in the world. The pilgrimage begins at 10:45 a.m. at the parking lot located near 520 East Broad Street, Bethlehem. During the walk, traditional Christmas Carols are sung, and a supper follows the walk at the Christ United Church of Christ.

33rd Annual Live Bethlehem Christmas Pageant, December 10
The 33rd annual pageant features singing, narration and live actors and animals in a reenactment of the birth of Christ. The pageant is held at 2 p.m. at the Bethlehem Rose Garden Band Shell off 8th Avenue and is free.

Bach Choir Christmas Concert, December 11
This special concert features work by Johann Sebastian Bach, Marc-Antoine Charpentier and Francis Poulenc. Part of the tradition is the audience sing-along caroling with the Choir following the performance. Tickets are $30 and $40 for adults and $10 for students. The performance is held at the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem at 4 p.m.

Lehigh Universal Choral Arts Christmas Vespers, December 11
Held at the Lehigh University’s Zoellner Art Centers, this free event is the school’s annual gift to the community. Performances are held at 4 and 8 p.m. at Packer Memorial Church.

The Nutcracker Ballet, December 17 and 18
The Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley and the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet present their 43rd consecutive production of The Nutcracker Ballet. Performances are at 2 p.m. at the Zoellner Arts Center, with tickets ranging from $27 to $35. Following the December 17, showing is a tea party for children and cocktails for adults for $15.

Edgeboro Moravian Christmas Putz, through December 23
The Edgeboro Moravian Church puts on its traditional Putz, a display sharing the story of Jesus’ birth in sights and sounds. Walk-ins are welcome Fridays, 6 to 8 p.m., Saturdays, 4 to 8 p.m., and Sundays, 3 to 6 p.m. Scheduled tours are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

PEEPS Fest, December 28 through 31
Bethlehem is home to PEEPS and its annual four-day festival features live music, storytelling, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, movies, S’mores and photos with PEEPS chicks. The event ends on New Year’s Eve with the annual PEEPS drop and fireworks.

Through December 18
“Broadway Christmas Carol”
The Pennsylvania Playhouse brings back its version of “A Christmas Carol” with song parodies of Broadway hits combined with Dickens’ classic tale. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m., and Sundays, 3 p.m.

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem
One of the best holiday markets in the world, the festival features handmade work by national artisans, including hand-blown Christmas ornaments. Live Christmas music, visits with Santa, and many food vendors complete the festival that runs Thursdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. $8; children 12 and under are free.

Christmas City Follies
The annual Vaudevillian holiday show features music and old-time “razzle dazzle” in this Touchstone Theatre tradition. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays, 8 p.m., and Sundays, 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and pay what you will on Thursdays (at the door).

–Lissa Poirot

As a thank you to our viewers we’ve brought back our 12 Days of Family Travel Giveaways. Today through December 12, we will be featuring a new prize and all you need to do is enter an email address to be added to the daily drawing. (Enter as often as you’d wish to increase your chances!) You’ll have to check in each day to see what the daily prize is, but our prizes include fabulous hotels, resorts and travel gear, including:

• A weekend stay anywhere in North America at Staybridge Suites, which features nearly 200 locations and offers families a home-away-from-home with one- and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens.

• Two-night stay at Homewood Suites, which are also located across North America and provide one- and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens for families on the road, and another two-night stay at Country Inns & Suites, with locations across the U.S. and standard rooms and suites for families of all sizes.

• A V.Reader Interactive E-Reading System and a Kidizoom Camera by VTech, and an Air Play Tray Table Cover by Star Kids for the kids.

• Able Planet Noise-Canceling Headphones or luggage gift certificates provided by Colorado Bag ‘N Baggage for anyone who travels.

• A two-night resort stay in Orlando at the Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa, or the Lodge and Spa at Calloway Gardens in Georgia.

• And a fabulous family vacation to Cancun, Mexico, courtesy of Oasis Resorts. The all-inclusive six-day/five-night stay at Grand Oasis Palm Resort would make a great spring break in 2012!

Click here to see the full description of prizes and to enter! Thank you for using Family Vacation Critic to help plan your family trips! Good luck!

–Lissa Poirot