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The Maney & LauRen Morning Show

The Maney & LauRen Morning Show

The Maney & LauRen Morning Show

Charlotte and Charleston Sensor Santa With The Autism Strong Foundation

Author LauRen Merola
Autism Strong's Sensory Santa

For families in the autism community, a simple task like going to see Santa at the mall can be scary, so many look for a sensory Santa. As an autism mom myself, I remember contemplating if the risk was worth the reward. Feeling judgy eyes from onlookers who have no idea your child’s situation can be intimidating and infuriating. That is why I feel so strongly about supporting other families who are going through a diagnosis or struggling in social situations.

Why it’s important.

Supporting the autism community is important for several reasons. First and foremost, autism is a neurological condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and those individuals deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, and inclusion. By supporting the autism community and making them feel welcome and safe doing typical tasks, we can help reduce the stigma and discrimination that autistic individuals often face.

Additionally, supporting the autism community can lead to greater awareness and understanding of the condition, which can help improve access to resources and services. This can include early intervention programs, specialized education and therapies, and employment opportunities that can help autistic individuals live fulfilling and meaningful lives.

That is why I am proud to see the Autism Strong Foundation offering Sensory Santa timeslots for the community. This past Sunday, Autism Strong and The Magic Canvas hosted an event where families in the autism community could bring their children for a private meet and greet with Santa. This provided the children extra time to warm up to Santa in a quiet environment. A professional photographer was there to provide digital photos, snacks, hot chocolate, and crafts for the children and their siblings. They all also got to take home a goodie bag!

If you missed this year’s annual event in Charlotte, be sure to follow the Autism Strong Foundation on Instagram for event updates throughout the year for more opportunities.

Are there more Sensory Santa Events?

If you are local to Charleston, mark your calendar for December 3rd because, for the first time ever, the Autism Strong Foundation will be offering the Sensory Friendly Santa Photos in CHARLESTON, South Carolina, from 10 am-4 pm in North Charleston! You can sign up for your time slot here! 

By embracing and supporting the autism community, we can create a more diverse and inclusive society that celebrates the strengths and abilities of all individuals, regardless of their differences, especially during the holiday season when so many struggle.

written by

North Carolina Is Home To A Five Star Autism Summer Camp

 

LauRen Merola Strager is a former NFL & NBA cheerleader turned radio host. LauRen is a former Miss Pennsylvania USA and is a proud wife and mother of two. She is the owner and chief editor for her fashion and lifestyle Blog “All Of The F-Words” and is a champion for the Autism community. You can read all about LauRen’s thoughts on motherhood, pageant life, and everyday life through her online content.

North Carolina Has One of the Cheapest Christmas Vacations

Christmas is a time to visit family and friends and get away from the daily grind. The holidays can be a wonderful time, but they can also be very expensive. From buying lots of Christmas gifts for family and friends to having to pay for plane tickets and travel, holiday expenses can really add up. But, the good news is that there are some affordable Christmas vacations in the U.S. that are available for a good deal. Also, North Carolina has one of the cheapest Christmas vacations in America.

One good thing about traveling during the winter months is that it’s often the off-season for popular vacation destinations. Of course, the holidays are a busy travel time. That makes late December a difficult time to find a deal for travel. But, if you don’t mind the cold and snow, some northern areas of the U.S. offer very good deals. That’s true even during the Christmas season.

Some tips for finding a good deal for holiday vacationing include searching a lot of booking websites, comparing different hotel dates to find the most reasonable ones and finding bundle deals. Also, keep your eyes open for special deals on resorts and hotels that are just opening. That’s because sometimes, during those opening months, new vacation spots try to attract a loyal clientele by offering special deals. One more tip is to search for airfare rates individually even if you are traveling as a couple or a group. If you put in a search for a group of tickets, the algorithms will often leave out information on one or two cheaper tickets being available. They’ll just send you a group of tickets, sitting together, all at the same price. So, you might get a deal if you search for one ticket, instead.

So, what are the best affordable Christmas vacations in the U.S.? Here are some popular spots that won’t break the bank. One is in North Carolina.

Cheapest Christmas Vacations in the U.S.

  • Frankenmuth, Michigan

    Frankenmuth, Michigan, is the self-proclaimed Christmas capital city of the world. Okay, so many argue that Strasbourg, France, takes that honor, but Frankenmuth is close, and it’s a lot cheaper to get there. No passport needed. The villiage’s Franconian-style architecture has given it the loving name “Little Bavaria.” Frankenmuth is also home to the world’s biggest Christmas store.

    Clock tower telling the story of the pied piper in Frakenmuth Michigan.

    Getty Images / Michael Deemer

  • Lancaster, Pennsylvania

    Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is located in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and it offers a beautiful view of snowy hills and Amish country. It’s a very old-fashioned type of town, making it a charming winter getaway. There are plenty of fun, holiday-type things to do in Lancaster that won’t break the bank.

    Rowhouse in Lancaster, PA

    Getty Images / 2windspa

  • Las Vegas, Nevada

    You might never guess, but Las Vegas, Nevada, is a great spot for an affordable holiday trip. Think about it. Most people wouldn’t think to go to “Sin City” for Christmas. Of course, it’s much less the “sin” part these days, as Las Vegas offers fun activities for the whole family.

  • Fort Myers, Florida

    Fort Myers, Florida, is a popular destination for snow birds. But, that’s doesn’t mean to skip it during the holidays. If you want to get away from the snow and ice, Fort Myers offers a great escape over Christmas and for prices that are more reasonable than in many other areas of Florida.

  • Charlotte, North Carolina

    Charlotte, North Carolina, is a great spot to visit in the holiday season, because it’s not as crowded as other times during the year. It’s also less expensive to visit during the holidays and offers beautiful decorations during Christmas. Don’t forget the many holiday markets.

    Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Skyline

    Getty Images / Sean Pavone

  • Boston, Massachusetts

    Boston, Massachusetts, gets cold in the winter, but it also has that classic Christmas charm. It’s a big city with a smaller city feel during the holidays. What’s more, it’s a more affordable winter vacation destination than many other areas, and you won’t have the fight the crowds.

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