Taylor Ross: Allstate Insurance

There's no excuse to not have all of your Christmas decorations in place this year thanks to the Southern Christmas Show that is held at the Park Expo and Conference Center. Every year, over 120,000 visitors walk through the doors looking for great decorating ideas for the holidays, and they find several at every turn! There are over 600 booths that offer an incredible variety of decorations, trees, ornaments, and lots more. This event has been voted the number one Christmas show in the nation, and when you experience all the activities and fun, it'll be easy to see why. .

Need a good laugh but don't want to sit through anything offensive that might make you uncomfortable? Then you need to experience the fun and entertainment of the Family Friendly Improv Comedy Shows at Comedy Zone. The Charlotte Comedy Theater has been consistently making audiences laugh with some good clean fun for over ten years and they show no signs of stopping. Their quick wit, expert timing and truly hilarious antics are a real treat. In a world where anyone can be tasteless and have it be misinterpreted as comedy, it's nice to know that there's a troupe like the Family Friendly Improv Comedy Show that rises to the challenge of being respectful of its audience and still funny at the same time.

You and your loved one have seen little of each other lately, and even less of the outside world! So make a romantic date to spend some quality time together while enjoying the natural surroundings of the Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary. The gardens are lush and inviting, and walking along the trails or finding a spot on one of the benches will allow both of you to unwind as you breathe in the fresh air and take in the beauty of the scenery. Your commune with nature continues when you enter the bird sanctuary that houses several different types of fine feathered friends. Watch with your date, as the birds fly from one point to another, creating the perfect afternoon of relaxation, nature and even a dash of romance.

There's nothing ordinary about the Mint Museum UPTOWN. This venue is not only an artistic forum of creative expression for area artists, it also happens to be an internationally-renowned museum, recognized for its high standards in the fields of craft and design as well as its outstanding collections of American, contemporary and European art. The exhibits are stunning, and you will no doubt want to learn as much as you can about each piece. To that end, there is a cell phone audio tour of the museum that offers you incredible insight about each piece that you can take in at your own pace. The museum is located within the Levine Center for the Arts, and attractive shopping and dining destinations are in close proximity. Don't forget to check out the museum shop's awesome selection of pottery, glass, wood, and jewelry that will surely make an excellent addition to your own personal collection.