Photo provided by Pooja Thakkar
While Indiana was wrapped in a snowstorm, our little family found ourselves stepping into a different kind of winter magic – one filled with sunshine, shared laughter, and the timeless lessons of A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Tennessee.
From the start, the weekend felt like a gentle pause from routine. The weather was beautiful, the sunrise soft and welcoming, and my girls were full of excitement as they explored every corner of the resort. It felt like entering a living storybook – one where Christmas wasn’t defined by falling snow, but by moments intentionally spent together.
The A Charlie Brown Christmas story walk anchored our experience. As we moved from scene to scene, the familiar story unfolded with its quiet reminders of kindness, belonging, and finding meaning beyond decorations and gifts. Watching my daughters absorb those lessons – so simply, so naturally – was a reminder of why stories matter. They connect generations, spark conversations, and gently pass values forward.
Our days were filled with joyful energy. We marveled at ice sculptures, laughed through ice tubing and bumper car rides, and slowed down aboard the indoor riverboat, drifting through a space filled with lights, color, and families doing exactly what we were doing – choosing presence over pace. The gingerbread house experience added a layer of wonder, especially meeting the walking, talking gingerbread man. My daughter’s delight in that moment was pure magic, the kind that stays with you long after the season ends.
And then there was the food – because food, as always, was where community gathered. The warm aroma of cinnamon followed us everywhere. We sampled crisp, freshly roasted nuts – pecans, cashews, and almonds coated just right – alongside soft cinnamon rolls, pizza slices between adventures, steaming cups of coffee, and my favorite, warm apple cider that felt like comfort in a cup. Each bite became part of the story, reminding us how flavors anchor memories.
Photo provided by Pooja Thakkar
One evening, we ended our day with a dinner reservation at one of the beautiful indoor restaurants. It was the perfect way to slow down and reconnect after a full day of activity. Pesto pasta, warm bread, and a cheesy bowl of potatoes were shared across the table, accompanied by easy conversation and tired-but-happy smiles. Dessert sealed the night. The tiramisu – rich, balanced, and unforgettable – surpassed all expectations. Every spoonful was a reminder that sometimes food does more than satisfy hunger; it becomes a moment of joy.
Saturday night closed with a carriage ride through the opulent resort, glowing under thousands of twinkling lights. Bundled in blankets, we took it all in quietly – grateful, present, and together.
Photo provided by Pooja Thakkar
What stayed with me most was the collective spirit. Bright colors, warm smiles, and a shared sense of celebration filled every space. This weekend wasn’t just a holiday escape – it was a reminder that community is built in shared experiences, in meals enjoyed together, in stories passed down, and in time intentionally spent.
Sometimes the perfect Christmas doesn’t come with snow at your doorstep. Sometimes, it arrives with sunshine, familiar stories, comforting flavors, and loved ones beside you – served simply, and shared fully.
Pooja Thakkar is working to build connections through cuisine. You can read her column each week in the pages of The Reporter.