Life & Christmas Con

A Magical Winter Adventure: Our Trip to Christmas Con in New Jersey

Christmas is such a fun season, and this year, my daughter and I celebrated it with an unforgettable trip to Christmas Con in New Jersey! Here’s a little glimpse into our festive adventure, filled with celebrity encounters, delicious treats, and holiday cheer.

The Journey to Christmas Magic

Our trip began with a quick stop at McDonald’s for some snacks before hitting the road for the airport. The flight was smooth, and we were full of excitement as we landed. But oh boy, was it cold! As Floridians, we’re not used to 30-degree weather (or lower!), so we bundled up as much as we could.

Christmas Con Highlights

The event itself was incredible, and the atmosphere was pure holiday magic. My daughter got to meet Santa, the real star. But, we also met some amazing celebrities:

• Jessica Lowndes: She was so kind and I loved her in 90210.
• Maggie Lawson: I’ve been a huge fan of hers since her days on Psych!
• Benjamin Hollingsworth: Such a nice person, and he’s SO GOOD on Virgin River.

The convention had so much to offer too (highly recommend it.) Carolers sang festive tunes, there were tons of booths from local shops, and beautifully decorated photo setups were everywhere. One highlight for us was the food—specifically the empanadas from a local restaurant. They were absolutely delicious!

Dinner at Benihana

On our last night, we got to see our amazingly kind and talented friend, actress Jen Lilley. She’s truly one of the nicest people. We went out to dinner with her and another wonderful friend, Adua (aka Mrs. Hungry for Hallmark). Check out her Instagram page because her content is the best!! It was the perfect way to end an amazing weekend.

Exploring My Hometown

Being born in Edison, New Jersey, this trip felt extra special. I got to share a bit of my roots with my daughter. Specifically, my dessert-centric roots. We stayed near La Bon bakery, which happens to have my favorite cookie in the entire world: a raspberry-filled cookie dipped in chocolate and covered in sprinkles. My daughter flipped over their bagels, croissants, and a Boston crème donut, which she said had the most filling she’d ever seen.

Adventures at American Dream Mall

We also made time to visit the American Dream Mall, and wow—it was incredible! The entire mall was decked out for Christmas, and everything was gorgeous. We explored countless stores and even spent some time at the Nickelodeon theme park, which was so adorable.

One of the highlights of the mall was trying Mr. Beast Burgers. I had chicken fingers, and my daughter ordered a burger. While the food was only okay, the actual experience of dining at Mr. Beast’s restaurant was fun in itself. And they had Pibb Zero, which is my all-time favorite soda.

Wrapping Up an Amazing Trip

Overall, this trip was beyond magical. From the FUN of Christmas Con to the delicious treats and special moments we shared, it was a memory we’ll cherish forever. Traveling with my daughter, meeting incredible people, and all of the holiday vibes were truly unforgettable.

New Jersey, you’ve been amazing, and we can’t wait to come back!