What we love to do at the holidays

We asked readers about favorite Northwest holiday traditions:

• "Our favorite tradition is sharing the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship (www.argosycruises.com) experience with a group of high-school foreign-exchange students. We go on the lead ship, and the students love to stand outside whatever the weather, watching the parade of boats follow and listening to the American holiday music." — Janell Gregson, Redmond

• "Seattle Women's Chorus and Seattle Men's Chorus Holiday Concerts (www.flyinghouse.org) are both a holiday tradition for me and my family and friends." — Beverly Jones, Edmonds

• "We no longer live in the Northwest but we miss the holiday time in Seattle ... walking the Market, taking in the smells and frolic and that night attending a Bronn Journey Christmas Concert (www.bronnjourney.com). We would bring friends and grandchildren to his concert. Only in Seattle!" — RosaLee Sheard and Dick Betz, Bristow, Ind. (formerly of Issaquah)

• "One of my favorite Northwest traditions is going to the Bellevue Botanical Garden (www.bellevuebotanical.org) for the Garden d'Lights. Thousands of sparkling lights in the shapes of beautiful garden flowers. Under the dark skies of winter it is a cheerful holiday delight. Enjoy!" — Peggy Swayne, Bellevue

• "Seeing the gingerbread houses at the Sheraton Hotel (through Jan. 2; 1400 Sixth Ave., Seattle)." — Kate Van Houten, Langley