New Year's Eve Festivities at the Beach!

New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop

If you have not yet made your plans for New Year's Eve it is not to late to consider spending it at the beach!  Ring in the new year at the Island of Light's New Year's Eve celebration at the Kure Beach Pier on December 31st.  The festivities begin at 9pm with a DJ and dancing.  The countdown to midnight is done "island style" accompanied by a giant beach ball drop followed by a fireworks display. If you want to escape from the crowds, simply bring a blanket and your bottle of champagne to enjoy the sights from the moonlit beach.

Celebrate New Year's Eve at the Beach!

Another fun way way to welcome 2013 is aboard the Henrietta III River Boat Cruise.  This party starts at 9:30 and continues on until 1:30am.  Enjoy heavy hors d' oeuvres, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight while crusising th Cape Fear River.

Le Catalan on the Riverwalk

If you are looking for something a little different, how about celebrating with "A Midnight in Paris" in downtown Wilmington.  This event held at Le Catalan French Cafe' and Wine Bar on the Riverfront includes a three course meal with champagne. 

We welcome you to stay with us at the Beacon House Inn to celebrate and ring in 2013!  There are so many things to enjoy at the beach this time of year.  

   

Romance is Never "Off Season" at the Beacon House

Cooler temperatures make way for couples to truly enjoy the romance of the beach.  The hectic crowds of summer have gone until next year.  They leave behind a palpable sense of peacefulness in their wake. 

The chilly evenings are made for a long hot soak in the whirlpool tub and snuggling into our soft down comforters.  Picture yourself waking to the smell of coffee brewing and padding downstairs to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast prepared especially for you.  The morning brings a crisp breeze that breaks into a warm sunny afternoon.  Imagine miles of unoccupied sandy shoreline perfect for a secluded walk on the beach.

Enjoy a night out in Wilmington complete with a ride in a horse drawn carriage through downtown. Experience a spectacle of Christmas lights on a moonlit stroll through “Enchanted Airlie” where the historic gardens dress up for the holidays.  Our best restaurants are still open and you will find it much easier to get a table without a wait. 

The Beacon House Inn offers a relaxing romantic getaway for all seasons. We will work with you to provide the” little extras” (like fresh flowers, a special bottle of wine) that turn a simple getaway to the beach into a memorable occasion.

To add to the romance here is a receipt for chocolate covered strawberries

Ingredients
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
3 ounces white chocolate, chopped
1 pound strawberries with stems, washed and dried very well

Directions
Put the semisweet and white chocolates into two separate heatproof medium bowls.  Fill two saucepans with approximate 2-4 inches of water and bring to a simmer.  Turn off heat and set the bowls of chocolate over the water to melt.  Stir until melted and smooth.

Once melted, remove from the heat.  Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.  Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the dark chocolate, lift and twist, letting excess chocolate fall back into the bowl.  Set strawberries on the paper.  Repeat with the rest of the strawberries.  Dip a fork in the white chocolate and drizzle the white chocolate over the dipped strawberries.

Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets.

Holiday Shopping at the Beach

Who doesn’t love holiday shopping?  For us, we find great pleasure in finding just the right Christmas gifts for our family and friends.  A little something that holds meaning just for them.

Far from the frantic pace of the average mall, the cobblestone streets of Historic downtown Wilmington offer a variety of unique local shops.  The Cotton Exchange is a fun place to start.  The Crescent Moon is a feast for the eyes full of glittering pieces of glass art and jewelry. The work of local painters and photographers is featured at The Golden Gallery.  There are stores for specialty teas and handcrafted stationery scattered amongst quaint cafés and restaurants.   

Explore along the River Walk and Chandler’s Wharf.  It is possible to watch a work in progress as crafters blow glass and make pottery. Buy a one of a kind piece right on the spot from a local artisan.  Intermingled with the shops and galleries are lovely waterfront restaurants and The Wilmington Tea House.

Just a few blocks away the recently renovated Castle Street Antiques District provides another distinctive, local shopping experience.

Holiday shopping should not be a hassle.  This year we encourage you to slow down your pace and enjoy the experience.  Meandering down quaint streets and stopping to sip a hot chocolate on the river may be a bit of a gift to yourself as well!

Downtown Wilmington is just the beginning of a weekend full of great local shopping.  Skip the big box store. There is so much more to explore here at the coast.  

Speaking of hot chocolate, here is a receipt for the ultimate beverage that will warm you up on a cold December evening.

The Ultimate Hot Chocolate

1 quart milk
1 vanilla bean
2 Tbsp whole coffee beans
3/4 cup sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 cup cocoa power
4-ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Combine the milk, coffee beans, cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, sugar, chocolate and cocoa powder in a saucepan.  Bring it slowly up to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently so the chocolate doesn't scorch on the bottom of the pan.  Strain and serve hot.  Float marshmallows on top for the ultimate finish.