Our Christmas Day in Richmond, Virginia | Food, Q&A + Presents | Vlogmas Day 12

[@LaurenZRay]

What was your favorite Vlogmas moment?! 🎄✨👇

[@raelevy]

Your stay at the Jefferson! I worked years ago at the ACS VA headquarters & we held annual meetings there. Then later when I met my husband, we stayed there the first few nights of our honeymoon! So, it holds great sentimental value to me! I loved that you went there!

[@LaurenZRay]

@@raelevyit was amazing! I love your stories too! So many fun visits. We definitely need to make this an annual stay! 🎄😍

[@annalisahamlett1334]

My favorites were Alexandria and The Jefferson Hotel. This is because that's exactly what my husband and I love to do. Get a room for the weekend and explore nearby cities. The History of both of those places were wonderful ❤️ I'm excited to see all of the wonderful places you showed us in the 12 days of Vlogmas 😊 Thanks for all your hard work, and you both bring such a beautiful light into the world with your smiles and personalities 😊

[@LaurenZRay]

@ thank you for the kindness 🥹. Visiting nearby cities is the best, I agree! Thank you for watching 💚💚

[@jgator6694]

@@LaurenZRay The Staunton Santa/Christmas train with that sweet little boy brought tears to my eyes. The innocence and magic of Santa Clause and childhood. ❤️❤️

[@Daniekz10]

Dear Lauren and Lucas, It’s amazing how, in such a short time, your videos have brought so many smiles and so much joy, beautifully showcasing the charm of Virginia, and especially my new home, Richmond. I can relate to your experience - when I first moved here, I didn’t know much about the city either. But as I started researching, I came across your incredible videos, and they really helped me see Richmond in a whole new light. It was such a pleasure meeting you during Vlogtober, and now Vlogmas is the cherry on top! I’m so excited for your upcoming content and the new adventures you’ll share.💚🌱🫶🏻

[@LaurenZRay]

@@Daniekz10 thank you so much for the kind words!! 🥹💚 Truly means a lot! I’m so glad they have been helpful & I’m excited for the new year as well!!

[@musicbyLUKAS]

Such a relaxing & delicious Christmas 🎄

[@LaurenZRay]

@@musicbyLUKAS very delicious!! Haha

[@ezgribble191]

Lauren- your story about finding out about Santa made me LOL.

[@LaurenZRay]

What are some traditions you and your family have for the Holidays?🎅🏻🎁✨👇

[@raelevy]

For my kids (& from my childhood), we would get up & kids were not allowed to see presents…we had to quickly run to the kitchen to eat bk’fast first! Torture! But I did the same for my kids! 😂 I did let the kids open their stockings at the bk’fast table. Every year, they got new pj’s. And when they were grown, they’d drive to my house Xmas morning wearing pj’s!

[@LaurenZRay]

@@raelevyI love these! We also did breakfast first before presents. I like the idea of not having to wait for stockings. Also the PJs!! Goals!! 😍😍

[@joeym5355]

Love the video . I would like to see more touring of Richmond tips and advise as well.

[@LaurenZRay]

@@joeym5355 thanks Joey!! Will work on some things! ☺️💚

[@susannortham11.11]

Your Vlogmas was so enjoyable, and this comes from probably the least festive person you could ever meet! But your enthusiasm is so infectious and adorable that I enjoyed the season vicariously through you guys. Ditto on the Tacky Lights and Busch Gardens, but really they were all so much fun. Little Lukas in the Grinch, omg soooo cute! Lauren let us know the stuff you were in. Wishing you guys the most epic New Year♥🎉🎆

[@LaurenZRay]

@@susannortham11.11 yes maybe I could do a vlog where I show some of my scenes in tv shows haha. Thanks Susan! We had the best time 💚

[@samseagren7228]

My wife and I have watched every single video y'all have posted. Fingers crossed we finally move to Richmond this summer if a teaching job pulls through. Your videos around Richmond help make the last push more bearable. Big thanks!

[@LaurenZRay]

@@samseagren7228 yay! Thank you for watching!! I’m sending good vibes your way!!✨✨

[@bluebird8224]

I liked your Christmas house tour and tablescape best! And Williamsburg, of course. Having a local channel is SO cozy! .

[@LaurenZRay]

@@bluebird8224 oh yay!! Thank you! Those were good ones 😍✨

[@magnoliajames2374]

I loved your Vlogmas episode on the Jefferson Hotel and the Nutcracker…I didn’t know you could see the Nutcracker in Richmond so my sister and I are going next year…thanks so much for that… also our family always celebrated on Xmas Eve because we all went to a dinner theater on Xmas Day with my moms family.. I got my love for Broadway Plays that way…❤🎄😊

[@LaurenZRay]

@@magnoliajames2374 dinner theater sounds amazing!! Yes!! Also excited for you to see the nutcracker next year! 😍✨

[@speaknowlindsay]

We recently moved to Richmond and I’m so glad I stumbled upon your channel! You guys have recommended the best Richmond spots and are so fun to watch. (ps Lucas being in the Grinch is so cool!!!)

[@LaurenZRay]

@@speaknowlindsay yay! Welcome to Richmond! Thank you for the kind words as well!! Can’t wait to show you more in 2025, and maybe we’ll run into each other sometime💚

[@kngesbeck]

Love your videos!! My tradition as my siblings got older has been winter solstice at my dad’s and Christmas at my mom’s. 90s coparenting at its finest. Also tamales and spicy Mexican food on Christmas Day. Happy New Year to you both!

[@LaurenZRay]

@@kngesbeck love the winter solstice as an option!! Also YUM love that idea for Xmas 😍. Happy new year to you too!!

[@XtineRoseElle]

I enjoyed your series so much! Thanks for sharing you life with us! Happy New Year! Xoxo

[@LaurenZRay]

@@XtineRoseElle thank you for watching!! And happy new year to you too 🎉✨

[@thesheehys98]

FYI....Minglewood Bake Shop in Richmond, VA has vegan yule logs every December.

[@LaurenZRay]

@@thesheehys98 thank you for the info!! I had no idea! 😍😍

[@jgator6694]

I just recently have discovered your channel. I have enjoyed watching many of your videos. I am waiting for you to visit and vlog historic Fredericksburg, Va. 🙂. If you love history, this is the place for you. I recommend a trolley tour here, too.

[@LaurenZRay]

@@jgator6694 ohhh we have to go! It’s definitely on my list!! 😍✨

[@jgator6694]

@ yay!!! Can’t wait!!

[@rachelmick4051]

My puzzle routine is to dump them all out, turn them all face up and then I construct the outer edge WHILE I sort the pieces into the clusters similar to the way you described (tree pieces, sky pieces, house pieces, etc.). I love that dopamine hit when the outer edge is completed. LOL By the way, that cake is epic!!

[@LaurenZRay]

@@rachelmick4051 I love your puzzle method. Seems the best to me! Haha. Omg the cake!! Still eating it haha

[@mikemcnally1454]

Well done! Your Vlogmas series has been a spectacular achievement. And it was such a delight to wake up this morning to an epic one hour finale😊 There have been a bunch of highlights, but I would have to say the tacky lights was a particular fave, as well as learning Lukas was in The Grinch! My girlfriend and I watched it the night before we watched your final video, which was great synchronicity. One of my Christmas gifts this year from my girlfriend was actually a grinch T-shirt, so we are definitely feeling the vibes. We hope you and Lukas keep dreaming big in 2025. Thank you for everything you shared this year 😊🦘

[@LaurenZRay]

@@mikemcnally1454 oh I love that you just watched The Grinch! Too perfect!! Thanks for watching & I look forward to the videos of 2025! 🎉💚💚

[@miriamortiz3241]

Merry Christmas 🎄 ❤🎄 Thank you for sharing your special day! The bread looks delicious!

[@LaurenZRay]

@@miriamortiz3241 thank you!! Oh it was great! So excited I figured it out ahah Merry Cmas to you too!! 🎄💚💚

[@missy7662]

We are binge-watching your last three vlogmas videos this New Year’s Eve! We’ve loved 💚 them all! We are making a list of must dos for next year and staying at the Jefferson in December is definitely on it! Cheers to 2025 🥂 Quick question - my husband wanted me to ask what brand your record player is?

[@LaurenZRay]

@@missy7662 yay!! I love that! You’ll have a blast! Also Audiotechnica record player, here’s the link: amzn.to/40eo9by 💚💚 Thanks for the kind words!

[@miriamortiz3241]

Tacky Christmas lights crawl ! It was amazing!

[@LaurenZRay]

@@miriamortiz3241 omg that was so fun! And the coldest day in Vlogmas haha 😜😍

[@BoomBigs]

favorite xmas movie, ‘i’ll be home for christmas.’ made in 1998 starring johnathan taylor thomas. 😅

[@LaurenZRay]

@@BoomBigs JTT!! Oh a classic! We have to watch that one again. It’s been too long haha. Thanks for the reminder!

[@ezgribble191]

I had that one on VHS- loved it!

[@LaurenZRay]

@ 😍😍

[@nancyjeannotte9466]

This was my favorite vlog from vlogmas since it is more reliable. I hope you'll find a "real" yule log for next Christmas. I ate three vegan yule log this december and I would have liked to taste some more! Happy holidays :)

[@LaurenZRay]

@@nancyjeannotte9466 can’t wait to find one someday! Thanks Nancy!! 💚✨

[@kingpat125]

Our tradition is to create funny or creative tags for each gift. So for the Hook album, you'd write something like, "To: Captain Lukas From: Peter Pan"

[@LaurenZRay]

@@kingpat125 omg yes haha. I love the joke + present. Makes it even better!!

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Greetings from Newport News Va, awesome share

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

Vlogmas Day 12 . A Wonderful Celebration of Joy and Fun . Here is a question for Lucas. Have you thought about pursuing and acting career ? hehe. Lauren, it's been a wonderful year knowing you 💚💚. So glad we discovered you. Looking forward to 2025 with so much content. . By the way, our tradition was our parents would leave one cookie on a plate and a glass of milk for Santa in every bed room in the house and when we got up in the morning to open our presents. We would notice one bite of the cookie and the glass of milk half full. Any plans for New Years Eve or Day. maybe a live stream ? hehe. Sending much love💚💚 from Jim and Harriet P.S. Love the vegan options you chose for lunch and dinner

[@LaurenZRay]

@@costasworldofmusicmemories5792 wow a cookie in every room! That’s commitment to the cause haha. I’m sure Santa was happy. New Years is a Gatsby themed party & I can’t wait haha. Thank you for your support! 💚💚

[@christopherrangel6890]

As a CA native, I gasped at the avocado comment

[@LaurenZRay]

@@christopherrangel6890 I know!! It’s not right! Definitely gasp-able haha 😜