baystateparent magazine December 2018

baystateparent FREE

DECEMBER 2018

Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families

The Holiday Issue

Since 1996

8 AWESOME SUBSCRIPTION BOXES FOR KIDS

THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY TRADITIONS CANDY CRAFTS: EASY DIY GIFTS

2 DECEMBER2018

BAYSTATEPARENT 3

table of contents DECEMBER 2018

VOLUME 23

10

Oh, The Places You’ll Go! December Calendar of Family Events

20

NUMBER 8

Passing It On: The Importance of Family Traditions

36

Finding Faith: Motherhood Has Taught Me the Meaning of Blessed

the holidays in every issue 5

Editor’s Note: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

6 7 8 10

#MomLife: News, Tips & Advice for Bay State Mamas

32 39

Finally Forever: December’s Child & Area Adoption Events

Add to Cart: Cool Little Gifts Under $13 Ripe Bites Oh, The Places You’ll Go! December Calendar of Family Events

Grayson, age 12 and Madden, age 9 Photography by Bellini Portraits www.bellinipics.com

20

Passing It On: The Importance of Family Traditions

22 23 24

Captured: Readers’ Funniest Photos with Santa

34

4 Ways to Empower Kids to Build a We Community

DIY: Getting Crafty with Candy

36

Finding Faith: Motherhood Has Taught Me the Meaning of Blessed

25

Retro-Themed Gifts That Will Make You Feel Nostalgic

26

8 Awesome Subscription Boxes for Kids

28

Bridging the Holidays: How Five Interfaith Couples Blend Love and Traditions

30

Doctor’s Tips for Coping with Holiday Stress

Take Eight with Santa Jim

Stores Offer ‘Quiet Hours’ and Sensory-Friendly Shopping This Season

features

8

meet team baystateparent president PAUL M. PROVOST

associate publisher KATHY REAL BENOIT 508-767-9525 kbenoit@gatehousemedia.com

editor in chief AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER 508-767-9526 acollins@gatehousemedia.com

sales manager JEREMY WARDWELL 508-767-4574 jwardwell@gatehousemedia.com

creative director PAULA MONETTE ETHIER 508-767-9536 pethier@gatehousemedia.com

account executive KATHY PUFFER 508-767-9544 kpuffer@gatehousemedia.com

baystateparent is published monthly • 100 Front Street • Worcester, MA 01608 • It is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts.

4 DECEMBER2018

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year What’s better than being a kid at Christmas?

Being a mom at Christmas.

Only the charm of the holiday season could make fast food seem magical.

As a kid, one of my favorite traditions involved piling into the Astro Van with my sisters, holding a thermos full of hot chocolate in one hand and a Happy Meal in the other. With Alvin and the Chipmunks' Christmas cassette tape playing at full blast we'd head out on our journey.

Destination: the North Pole.

In recent years my mom confessed this voyage was actually just a spin around the outskirts of town. But five-year-old me was convinced we’d made it to the Arctic Circle, and that families of happy elves had to live inside all those houses twinkling with Christmas lights.

That’s the thing about the holidays — even the everyday becomes enchanting. This season is especially whimsical to children; you know that saying, “like a kid at Christmas.” It’s true, some of my most beloved childhood memories center around the holiday season: decorating the tree, Christmas Eve at my grandpa’s, listening for Santa’s sleigh bells, and the anticipation for Christmas morning when my sisters and I would wake up, wide-eyed, at some ridiculously early hour. The thought of a man slipping quietly into our house in the middle of the night, eating our sweets and leaving us all those toys while we slept was exhilarating.

As a kid, there’s just something magic about it all. For a little one, there’s nothing more bewitching than believing.

As I grew older, Christmas lost some of its excitement. We stopped listening for reindeer hooves and we’d wake up later and later. My wishlist evolved from fun to practical, and my own shopping list grew and grew.

There were some years when this season lacked the luster it once had.

But this year, my second holiday season as a mother, that feeling of anticipation is back. Experiencing Christmas as a child and experiencing Christmas as a mom are entirely different, but there’s an excitement that’s comparable. Now that I have a son, I have a new appreciation for it all. I can’t wait to see the season through his innocent, believing eyes.

It’s true there’s nothing like being a kid at Christmas, but there’s also nothing like having a kid at Christmas. And now that I'm the mom, I recognize how we as parents are charged with creating the memories and traditions that our children will treasure forever. How cool is that?

This issue of baystateparent is our annual celebration of the season.

From kid-friendly, seasonal crafts (page 23) to gift guides (pages 25-26) and recipes (page 20), we hope you’ll find something in this issue that will help you make some magical memories of your own.

Happy Holidays!

Amanda BAYSTATEPARENT 5

#M mLife

News, Tips & Advice for Bay State Mamas Survey: Moms of Three Are Most Stressed Raising kids can be hard, but it’s perhaps toughest for moms with a certain number of children.

That magic number? Three, according to a study done by TODAY Parents.

The survey is actually a few years old, but has recently resurfaced. According to TODAY, “mothers of three children stress more than moms of one or two.” And, interestingly enough, “mothers of four or more children actually report lower stress levels.”

But most moms – no matter how many kids they have – reported feeling pretty stressed: on a scale of 1-10, the average mom put herself at an 8.5.

The survey also found that 60 percent of mothers stressed more about their daughters than their sons, and 60 percent said they were most stressed about there not being enough hours in a day to get everything accomplished. Forty-six percent of moms said their husband or partner caused more stress than their kids, and a whopping 72 percent of moms said they were stressed about how stressed they are.

TODAY offered this advice, from psychiatrist Dr. Janet Taylor, to mamas:“You have to be able to say no to your kids, to your spouse, to your friends sometimes. Instead of making the perfect lunch for your kids, go for a walk by yourself. Even if it’s just 10 minutes, take some deep breaths and focus on what you need.”

Talking Back

Just for fun, we asked our Facebook followers what their children would be named if they were named after their pregnancy cravings. Here’s our favorite replies:

My oldest son’s name would be Filet O’Fish. You can call him Fil. -Susan D.

Meet my oldest, Frozen Strawberry, and her little sister, Big Mac. -Malory T.

Anything But Garlic is now 14.

-Kristen C.

Thanksgiving dinner.

-Bianca P.

My twins, cheeseburgers and oranges.

-Debby F. Ken’s Italian.

-Pat B.

6 DECEMBER2018

Ho Ho or Ring Ding!

-Regina S.

Join the conversation at facebook.com/baystateparent

add to CART

Cool little gifts under $13

For the eco-conscious A pencil that turns into a plant?

Sprout pencils are the first-ever plantable pencils. Once it’s too stubby to write with, plant it upside down and it will grow into herbs, vegetables or flowers. $12.95. amazon.com.

For the tech fan

Know an Apple fanatic?

Help them protect their Apple cords with Buoy Tags, customizable tags for iPhone/iPad chargers or headphones. $8. buoytags.com.

For the coffee lover JavaSok is the ultimate item or any iced coffee lover.

The fabric cup made from insulated neoprene cradles your plastic cup, keeping coffee cold and hands dry. $9.99. javasok.com.

For the beauty lover

For the traveler Certain places hold precious memories and that’s the concept behind Earth Bands. The bracelets or anklets feature hand-rolled beads made from the sand or soil of a specific location.

There’s beads from almost every state, popular beaches, colleges and more. $12. earthbands.co/

Trendy new loofah soaps cleanse, scrub and exfoliate all at the same time. Loofahs are sliced into about an inch thick and then dipped into soap.

Scents include Eucalyptus Peppermint, Lavender Rain, and Green Tea Cucumber. $8. honeybelleshop.com.

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Study Finds Link Between Kids’ Time Online and Requests for Junk Food

BITES Increase Your Kitchen’s IQ Smart kitchen gadgets are popping up all over the place now. You can get a connected slow cooker and adjust cooking settings remotely, have your fridge remind you what groceries you need at the store and your plate or fork track what you ate today. But the smartest kitchen appliance of them all is the Smarter Coffee (bestbuy.com, $249.99).

With a voice command to Google or Alexa, you can start coffee brewing from anywhere in your house, or you can turn it on using the Smarter app. A built-in bean grinder ensures every pot has the freshest flavor and the app will remind you when the machine is low on beans or water, so you can refill it. All you have to do is clean the pot and the filter after brewing so you’re ready the next time a caffeine craving strikes.

8 DECEMBER2018

Children who spend more than half an hour online a day are almost twice as likely to bug their parents for junk food, a study recently found.

Researchers at the University of Liverpool looked into the link between diet and junk food advertising on TV and online, asking 2,500 7-11-year-old children and their parents about their eating habits and screen time (outside of homework).

Children who perused the web for at least three hours a day were more than four times as likely to spend their pocket money on sweets, chips and sugary drinks as opposed to kids to spent less than half an hour online.

These children were also 79 percent more likely to be overweight or obese while those who were online between 30 minutes and three hours a day were 53 percent more likely to be carrying excess weight than those who were online for less.

“Our research shows that this behavior can be linked to the amount of time children spend in front of a screen and as a result, the increased number of enticing adverts they see for these sorts of products,” researchers concluded.

On average, children were online for 16 hours a week -- not including time spent for homework -- and watched 22 hours of television per week, the study found. Each additional hour of commercial TV that children watched was linked with an increased likelihood of pestering their parents to buy products they had seen advertised.

Millennial Babies are Adventurous Eaters Today’s babies are trying more “exotic” foods at an earlier age, new polling has found. WaterWipes polled 1,500 moms and dads and found that modern parents are weaning their babies on “non-traditional” food like avocados, sweet potatoes and even quinoa.

Homemade Cereal Bars Servings: 16 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup honey

1/2 teaspoon vanilla 3 1/2 cups dry cereal

Line 8-by-8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium size saucepan, combine peanut butter and honey and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Add in dry cereal and stir until completely coated then press into lined pan. Use piece of parchment paper to press firmly down on bars.

Refrigerate bars 1 hour, or until ready to serve.

BAYSTATEPARENT 9

OH,

THE PLACES YOU’LL GO Photo Courtesy of the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts

Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away! - Dr. Seuss

Photo Courtesy of the Discovery Museum

Photo courtesy of the Sterling Youth Ballet

The Nutcracker presented by Sterling Youth Ballet. Sterling Youth Ballet.

10 DECEMBER2018

Photo courtesy of Zoo New England and Marlo Marketing

ELF: The Musical. The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Make a Stamp and Wrapping Paper.

Discovery Museum.

Zoolights.

Stone Zoo.

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! MELTDOWN WARNING: Before you pack up the minivan, please confirm your destination.

Although we’ve done our best to ensure accuracy at press time, things can and do change.

1 Saturday

Dyne as two form a mismatched pair facing off against Ghost. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Photo courtesy of the Hanover Theatre for the Performng Arts

BRICKTACULAR: A Charlie Brown Christmas Live. LEGOLAND Discovery Center: Boston, 598 Assembly Row, Somerville.

10 a.m. Stop by all weekend and enjoy a holiday themed display capturing the joy of A Charlie Brown Christmas, activities, and large-scale sled. Through Sunday. Free with admission. Advance $14.95; day-of $23. boston.legolanddiscoverycenter.com.

CookieFest. Bentley University Arena, 400 Beaver St., Waltham. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Girl Scouts, troops, families, and friends, are invited to celebrate the start of the new Cookie Season with booths, activities, and games plus American Ninja Warrior Allyssa Beird. $5, ages under 4 free. bit.do/cookiefest Holiday Open House: Colonial Arts and Crafts. Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St., Boston. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Welcome winter with performances by musicians from the New England Conservatory, family activities, and fun. Free. osmh.org.

Opening Celebration: Lumina. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Step into an animated canvas of brilliant color and light, with hands-on exploration discovering the themes of light and imagery. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16, youths 4 and up $6, ages under 4 free. worcesterart.org.

The Land Before Time. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. Enjoy as Littlefoot, a young brontosaurus, finds his way to the Great Valley alongside friends to reunite with their families. $5. coolidge.org.

Beyond the Spectrum: Wonderful Weaving. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Explore weaving, sewing, knitting, and knotting before creating your own woven wonders during this adventure in art for children on the Autism Spectrum. For ages 8 to 12. $9. mfa.org.

Zumba Kids. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m. Kids and adults join in a family friendly Zumba class, incorporating dance, exercise, and fitness.

Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $17, ages under 12 months free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Gingerbread Saturday. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Meet Santa, explore his workshop and make gifts for a special loved one, high five or hug the Grinch, and more during this day of fun. Check schedule of events. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths $13, ages under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org.

Holiday House Tour. Wright Tavern, 2 Lexington Rd., Concord. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Partake in the 8th Annual Holiday House Tour.

Enjoy touring seven of Concord’s most beautiful

2018 Boston Pops Holiday Tour. The Hanover Theatre. private homes, professionally decorated in the holiday spirit. Members $45, nonmembers $50. concordmuseum.org.

Make a Mess: Foamy Fun. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 12-2 p.m.

Drop-in and have some good clean fun, experimenting and creating using bubbles and shaving cream. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Holiday Open House. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 12-5 p.m.

Enjoy family programs, special tours in the Art Gallery, and plenty of browsing. Free. fruitlands. org.

The Nutcracker presented by Sterling Youth Ballet. Stratos G. Dukakis Performing Arts Center, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, 1492-1706 Westminster St., Fitchburg. 2 p.m. Celebrate the season with a magical performance of this classic ballet specifically designed to excite children and the young-at-heart. $18-20. sterlingyouthballet.org.

Special Storytime: Kevin Barry. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 2 p.m. Join Kevin Barry as he reads from his new picture book ‘Kindergarrrten Bus’ combining new experiences with seafaring pirates. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

Incredibles 2. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m. Join the Parr family as they set off once again to save society, during this fantastic Pixar Studio’s film.

Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

ELF: The Musical. The Hanover Theatre

for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Join Buddy the Elf as he travels from the North Pole to New York City on a quest to find his birth father and revive the spirit of Christmas to the big city. $43-76. thehanovertheatre.org.

for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Join Buddy the Elf as he travels from the North Pole to New York City on a quest to find his birth father and revive the spirit of Christmas to the big city. $43-76. thehanovertheatre.org.

Winter Stroll: Meet Mrs. Claus.

Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 2-3 p.m. Share a story with Mrs. Claus and make a snowy owl craft, before searching for the library’s green elf hiding somewhere in a shelf. For ages 12 and under.

Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

The Nutcracker presented by Sterling Youth Ballet. Stratos G. Dukakis Performing Arts Center, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, 1492-1706 Westminster St., Fitchburg. 2 p.m. Celebrate the season with a magical performance of this classic ballet specifically designed to excite children and the young-at-heart. $18-20. sterlingyouthballet.org.

Zoolights. Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham. 5-9 p.m. Come be dazzled during this annual festival of twinkling lights, as you stroll by gorgeous scenes all aglow and winter-joyful animals from lynx to foxes to reindeer. Through December 31. Adults $12, children $10, ages under 2 free. zoonewengland.org.

2 Sunday BJ Hickman Magic Show. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. Enjoy this family-focused magic show filled with silliness galore, audience participation, and fun. Adults $13, children $10.

Coolidge.org.

Brunch with Santa. Beechwood Hotel, 363 Plantation St., Worcester. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Create magical holiday memories at this award-winning Santa Brunch. Celebrate with a merry meet and greet with Santa while enjoying culinary delights with special offerings for children. Reservations required. Adults $46.95, children 6-12 $19.95. beechwoodhotel.com.

ELF: The Musical. The Hanover Theatre

3 Monday Kids Rock Music Concert. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Join the Monument Square Community Music School for this concert featuring an allprop band playing original and popular songs for kids. Recommended for ages 5 and under.

Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Make and Take: Origami. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 4-5 p.m. Practice folding paper to make your own unique creations. For ages 6 to 12. Free. mywpl.org.

KIBO Robots. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4-5 p.m. Take a chance to make your ideas physical and tangible while decorating your own robot. For grades K to 2.

Space limited. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Ant-Man and the Wasp. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 6:30 p.m.

Follow as Ant-Man teams up with Hope van

4 Tuesday Dance and Movement Class. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10-10:45 a.m. Join the Joanne Langione Dance Center as it present a music and movement class for toddlers and preschoolers. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Wee Ones Art Studio: Snow Globes.

Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10-11 a.m. Come make a waterless snow globe complete with a glitter clay snowman, and enjoy a favorite holiday tale. For ages 3 to 5. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Especially for Me: Sensory Friendly Afternoons. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 1:30-4:30 p.m. Come explore the entire Museum campus at your own pace during this time of low crowding, with quiet spaces available. Register ahead. Free. discoveryacton.org.

Backyard and Beyond: Winter Scavenger Hunt. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 3 p.m. Venture into the woods with us to look for signs of Winter and collect some nature treasures on this short nature walk and hunt. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Book BINGO. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4-4:30 p.m. Play book BINGO and try to complete a row of your favorite books to win. For ages 5 to 8. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Fuzzy Gingerbread Wreaths & Snowy Tree Signs. Worcester Public Library: Burncoat Branch, 526 Burncoat St.; Goddard Branch, 14 Richards St.; Roosevelt Branch, 1006 Grafton St.; Tatnuck Branch, 1083 Pleasant St., Worcester. 4-5 p.m. Warm up in the library during this winter wonderland crafternoon taking a seasonal spin on wreaths and signs. For ages 6 and up. Free. mywpl. org.

5 Wednesday WAM Stroller Tours. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester.

10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy a docent led guide through the museum, followed by an age-appropriate story and light refreshments. Recommended for ages up to 3 with caregivers and siblings. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmember adults $16, youths 4 and up $6, ages under 4 free. worcesterart.org.

LEGOS, Coloring, and Games Galore.

Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 12 p.m.-3 p.m. Join in some fun with LEGOs, coloring, and games. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

BAYSTATEPARENT 11

Soweto Gospel Choir: Songs of the Free. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. 8 p.m. The spectacular and vibrant Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir celebrates the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela in this rousing concert. $47-67. berklee.edu/events.

Winter Fun for Everyone. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 6-7 p.m.

Listen to the story The Snowbear before making a special snowman friend to celebrate the season and its many holidays. For ages 3 to 7. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

8 Saturday Photo courtesy of the Worcester Museum

Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights.

Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 4:30-10 p.m. Enjoy an evening of art, music, and activities celebrating Hanukkah through family-friendly activities, art tours, live music, and a one-of-a-kind menorah. Free. mfa.org.

Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. 8 p.m. Join the Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra as it premiers original jazz compositions and a tribute to Leonard Bernstein.

Advance $10, day-of $15. berklee.edu/events.

6 Thursday Take Aparts, Jr. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Drop-in and grab some tools to discover resistors, capacitors, gears, and more. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Pop Culture at the Smithsonian. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 12:151 p.m. Explore American history through the objects and exhibitions of entertainment and the arts celebrating Smithsonian Week. $4. springfieldmuseums.org.

Take Aparts. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4:30 p.m. Explore the inner workers in circuit boards, resistors, and more during this uncovering of everyday electronics. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Game Day. Worcester Public Library: Great Brook Valley Branch, 89 Tacoma St., Worcester. 2-5 p.m. Gather your friends and join in at the library to get unplugged and play some old-fashioned games. Free. mywpl.org.

Chanukah Story Time. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 4-5 p.m. Join us for the story of Chanukah, featuring arts, game playing, and

Brick by Brick: A Community Castle Exhibit. Worcester Art Museum.

more. Free. mywpl.org.

7 Friday Music and Movement with Miss Bernadette. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 9:30-10 a.m. Explore sound through singing, playing, listening, and learning, during this multi-sensory workout. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Brick by Brick: A Community Castle Exhibit. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 10 a.m. Watch as artists, Lego enthusiasts, and builders showcase their plastic-brick castle creations in this display of broad artistic interpretations. Through February.

Free. worcesterart.org.

Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays.

Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

10-10:45 a.m. Experience the outdoors as a family and engage in a nature-based weather-inspired activity, and explore the Discovery Woods or conservation land. Recommended

for ages 2 to 6. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Nonperishable food donations for local pantries accepted. Meet local scientists after 6 p.m.

Free. discoveryacton.org.

Santa Visit. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 10-11 a.m.

Join Santa to take magical photos, read a story, do holiday caroling, and a craft. For ages 12 and under. Free. mywpl.org.

Holiday Lighting Ceremony & SingA-Long. Newton Cultural Center, War Memorial Auditorium, Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave., Newton. 6 p.m. Bring your holiday cheer and a non-perishable food item, and join the Stacey Peasley Band for a community Concert and lighting. Free. newtoncommunitypride.org.

Gingerbread Houses. Worcester Public Library: Goddard Branch, 14 Richards St., Worcester. 4-5 p.m. Build your own gingerbread house and then decorate your masterpiece with candy. Free. mywpl.org.

Yarn Art Workshop. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 4-5 p.m. Join the library yarn workshop and use your imagination to experiment and create beautiful art patterns. For ages 7 to 12. Free. mywpl.org.

First Friday Nights Free: Meet the Scientists. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 4-8 p.m. Explore the museum at night.

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Stars Over Springfield. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 7:308:30 p.m. Join members of the Springfield Stars Club for skygazing in the Museum’s observatory or a planetarium show, if overcast. $3. springfieldmuseums.org.

2018 Boston Pops Holiday Tour. The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 8 p.m. Join the Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart for their sparkling and beloved Holiday Pops concert. $59-129. thehanovertheatre.org.

Winnie-the-Pooh Low Sensory Morning.

Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 9-11 a.m. Experience the Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic exhibit during a time of fewer visitors and more space for young people who would benefit from a quieter experience. $9. mfa.org.

BRICKTACULAR: How the Grinch Stole Christmas. LEGOLAND Discovery Center: Boston, 598 Assembly Row, Somerville.

10 a.m. Stop by all weekend to enjoy a holiday themed display capturing the fun of Dr. Seuss’s Grinch, activities, and large-scale sled. Through Sunday. Free with admission.

Advance $14.95; day-of $23. Boston.legolanddiscoverycenter.com.

Morning with Santa. Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Rd., Concord. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Don’t miss Santa’s stop at the Museum, as you enjoy a delightful visit and photo with Santa, as well as seasonal crafts and activities.

Register ahead. Member adults free, children $25; nonmember adults $10, children $30. concordmuseum.org.

Winter Carnival. Worcester Historical Museum, 30 Elm St., Worcester. 10 a.m.2 p.m. Carnival games, hot chocolate and cookies, and afternoon performance by the Worcester Youth Orchestra, morning face painting, and more. $12, ages under 3 free. worcesterhistory.org.

Gingerbread Saturday. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Meet Santa, explore his workshop and make gifts for a special loved one. High five or hug the Grinch, and more during this day of fun. Check schedule of events. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths $13, ages under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org.

Scribble Bots. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 12-2 p.m. Come create dynamic

drawings using simple DIY robotic contraptions made of spinning and wiggling motors, markers, tape, pipe cleaners, and more. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Make Your Own Comic Book Workshop.

Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 12-3 p.m. Learn simple and fun ways to express yourself through comics, during Smithsonian Week in Springfield. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths $13, ages under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org.

Special Storytime: Jane Yolen & Heidi E.Y. Stemple. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 2 p.m. Join award-winning authors and enjoy a program all about the birds, including bird watching activities and owl calling. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

Daddy & Me Brain Building: Penguins.

Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3-4 p.m. Bring your favorite caretaker for this special story-time, where you can build a wooden penguin using hammer and nails. For ages 2 to 4. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Owl Prowl. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 4-6 p.m. Join a local naturalist and go under the moon and stars to the trails of Fruitlands Museum to see who-whowho might be out and about. Register ahead.

Members $9, nonmembers $15, ages under 13 free. fruitlands.org.

9 Sunday Mike the Bubble Man. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. Through music, choreography, and comedy, bubbles of all different shapes and sizes come alive. Adults $13, children $10. Coolidge. org.

Brunch with Santa. Beechwood Hotel, 363 Plantation St., Worcester. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Create magical holiday memories at this award-winning Santa Brunch. Celebrate with a merry meet and greet with Santa while enjoying culinary delights with special offerings for children. Reservations required. Adults $46.95, children 6-12 $19.95. beechwoodhotel.com.

Miracle on 34th Street. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 11 a.m. Enjoy this Christmas classic following an older man named Kris Kringle who fills in for Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade as Santa Claus and sets off controversy and an evokes our Christmas nostalgia. Members $10, public $12. natickarts.org.

Special Sundays in the Studio: Winter Watercolors. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 1-4 p.m. Enjoy this special afternoon activity taking inspiration from the Winter Wonderland outside and in the air with watercolors. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

Special Storytime: Ryan T. Higgins. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 2 p.m. Cheer on Bruce the grumpy bear, as he becomes the victim

of mistaken identity. Free with admission.

Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

Outrageous Fortune. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2-3 p.m. Enjoy this to-tappin’ jug-band style with a sweet threepart harmony, guitar, harmonica, washboard, and bass. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Berkshire Concert Choir. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Join the Berkshire Concert Choir as they perform a program of Christmas music from early Renaissance to contemporary compositions before the Festival of Trees showing. Free. berkshiremuseum.org.

10 Monday Growing Readers Celebrate. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster.

9:30-10:30 a.m. Celebrate the books of Anna Milbourne through stories, art, music, and movement. For ages 2 to 5. Register ahead.

Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Baby Bookworms. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 11-11:30 a.m. Enjoy nursery rhymes, action rhymes, songs, and stories specially designed for your littlest youngster. For babies up to 12 months with caregivers. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Berklee Co-Op Big Band. Red Room at Café 939, 939 Boylston St., Boston. 1 p.m. Enjoy as jazz composition seniors present a program of big band music with some of the top musicians at Berklee. Free. berklee.edu/events.

Gingerbread Houses. Worcester Public Library: Tatnuck Branch, 1083 Pleasant St., Worcester. 4-5 p.m. Build your own gingerbread house and decorate them with candy.

Free. mywpl.org.

11 Tuesday LittleBeats. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10-10:30 a.m. Join friends from LittleBeats for a creative dance at the library, with stories, music, and fun. For ages up to 4.

Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Winter Workshop: Snow Globes. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11:30 a.m. & 3-4:30 p.m. Bring Mother Nature to your homemade snowy holiday snow globes. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Craft Day: Woodland Snowman. Worcester Public Library: Great Brook Valley Branch, 89 Tacoma St., Worcester. 3:30-4:30 p.m. A fun filled crafternoon as we make a woodland snowman to decorate our houses. Free. mywpl.org.

Sand Art Gingerbread Men & Holiday Magic Scratches. Worcester Public Library: Burncoat Branch, 526 Burncoat St.; Goddard Branch, 14 Richards St.; Roosevelt Branch, 1006 Grafton St.; Tatnuck Branch, 1083 Pleasant St., Worcester. 4 p.m. A wonderful winter crafter-noon, playing with art sand to create gingerbread men, and design special holiday magic scratchers. For ages 6 and up.

Free. mywpl.org.

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Miracle on 34th Street. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 7:30 p.m. Enjoy this Christmas classic following an older man named Kris Kringle who fills in for Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade as Santa Claus and sets off controversy and an evokes our Christmas nostalgia. Members $10, public $12. natickarts.org.

Brunch with Santa. Beechwood Hotel, 363 Plantation St., Worcester. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Create magical holiday memories at this award-winning Santa Brunch. Celebrate with a merry meet and greet with Santa while enjoying culinary delights with special offerings for children. Reservations required. Adults $46.95, children 6-12 $19.95. beechwoodhotel.com.

12 Wednesday

Create with The Carle! Celebration. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 1 p.m. Celebrate the culmination of the 2018 Create with the Carle series. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

Photo courtesy of the Discovery Museum

Backyard and Beyond: Sublime Snowflakes. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Discover the science and math behind snowflakes and create your own snowflake masterpieces. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra. Northeastern University Fenway Center, 77 St. Stephens St., Boston. 8 p.m.

Celebrate female composers during this BCSO concert featuring from Joan Tower, Rachel Portman, and more. Free. berklee.edu/events.

13 Thursday Winter Workshop: Make a Stamp and Wrapping Paper. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Create your own stamps, and test your designs to create some homemade wrapping paper. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Winter Workshop: Papermaking.

Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

2-4:30 p.m. Explore the science of papermaking, as you sculpt and squish recycled pulp into new usable paper. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Holiday Movie Matinee: Double Feature.

Worcester Public Library: Great Brook Valley Branch, 89 Tacoma St., Worcester. 3:15 p.m.

An afternoon watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas and the Polar Express together. Free. mywpl.org.

Bilingual Storytime: Russian. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4-4:30 p.m.

Enjoy a special afternoon featuring stories, songs, and movement in English and Russian.

For ages 3 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

14 Friday Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays.

Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

10-10:45 a.m. Experience the outdoors as a family and engage in a nature-based weather-inspired activity, exploring the Discovery Woods or conservation land. Recommended for ages 2 to 6. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Gingerbread Houses. Worcester Public Library: Frances Perkins Branch, 470 West Boylston St., Worcester. 3 p.m. & 4 p.m.

Build your own gingerbread house and then decorate it with candy. Reserve ahead. Free. mywpl.org.

Friday Fun & Games: Bingo. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 4-5 p.m. Test your luck at this 14 DECEMBER2018

Free Friday Nights Free: Meet the Scientists. Discovery Museum. game favorite and possibly go home with a prize. For ages 6 to 12. Free. mywpl.org.

Family Autism Evening. The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 4:30-6:30 p.m. The Museum welcomes families with children 10 and under on the Autism Spectrum and those with Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified for a fun afternoon with their families to explore our hands-on exhibits. Register ahead. $3. cmeaston.org.

15 Saturday BRICKTACULAR: Blue Man Group.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center: Boston, 598 Assembly Row, Somerville. 10 a.m. Stop by all weekend to enjoy a holiday themed display capturing the joy of the Blue Man Group, activities, and large-scale sled. Through Sunday.

Free with admission. Advance $14.95; day-of $23. Boston.legolanddiscoverycenter.com.

Pop Up Play Day. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Use your creativity to build and rebuild using the big, blue blocks of Imagination Playground and colorful architectural components during this time of play. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $13, youths 4 and up $6, ages under 4 free. berkshiremuseum.org.

MFA Playdates: Forest Friends. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:15-11 a.m. Bring your toddler to enjoy story time and looking activities in the galleries, followed by artmaking, exploring the many creatures of the woods. Recommended for ages 4 and under. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmember adults $25, youths $10, children under 7 free. mfa.org.

Family Yoga Class. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Participate in cooperative games, age-appropri-

ate poses, partner poses, breathing exercises, and simple mindfulness activities together as a family. For ages 3 to 12 with caregivers. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Matt Heaton & The Outside Toys. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 11 a.m. Enjoy a bonanza of a time, during this family fun concert led by Matt Heaton and his Outside Toys bringing infectious songs and toe-tapping music. Adults $12, children $10. natickarts.org.

Gingerbread Saturday. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Meet Santa, explore his workshop and make gifts for a special loved one.

High five or hug the Grinch, and more during this day of fun. Check schedule of events.

Free with admission. Adults $25, youths $13, ages under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org.

Arms + Armor Demonstrations.

Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 11:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. A fun interactive program learning all about different kinds of arms and armor used by Roman soldiers, knights, and beyond. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16, youths 4 and up $6, ages under 4 free. worcesterart.org.

Costume Character Day. Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Rd., Concord. 1-3 p.m. Meet the famous groovy, blue cat, Pete, as we make crafts, and hear the story. Free with admission. Member free; nonmember adults $10, youths 5 and up $3, ages under 5 free. concordmuseum.org.

Boston Area Chantey & Maritime Sing.

USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown Navy Yard, Building 22, Charlestown. 2-5 p.m.

Listen, learn, and lift your voices as you participate in your Maritime Heritage by joining a rousing chorus of sea chanteys at the Museum. Free, donations welcome. ussconstitutionmuseum.org.

Costume Character Day. Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Rd., Concord. 1-3 p.m. Meet the famous groovy, blue cat, Pete, as we make crafts, and hear the story. Free with admission.

Member free; nonmember adults $10, youths 5 and up $3, ages under 5 free. concordmuseum.org.

245th Anniversary Boston Tea Party Reenactment. Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St., Boston. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Make history at this interactive and family-friendly reenactment of the fateful night almost 250 years ago when patriots brewed up a rebellion with saltwater tea. $30. osmh.org.

Special Storytime: Mike Curato. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 2 p.m. Join Mike Curato as he reads from his new picture book Merry Christmas, Little Elliot. Free with admission.

Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

17 Monday

A Wrinkle in Time. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 2:304:30 p.m. Enjoy this afternoon adaptation of the classic children’s book following three youths travel across dimensions on an adventure. Free. mywpl.org.

Santa Visit. Worcester Public Library: Roosevelt Branch, 1006 Grafton St., Worcester.

3-4:30 p.m. Join Santa Claus for some seasonal photos to remember. Free. mywpl.org.

Berklee Indian Ensemble: Untold Stories. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. 8 p.m. Melding Indian music in all its forms with spoken Icy Investigations. Discovery Museum, 177 word, poetry, and visuals, the Berklee Indian Main St., Acton. 12-2:00 p.m. Experiment Ensemble brings together unheard voices to tell with different types of salt, and watercolors their stories. $10-30. berklee.edu/events. to check out the solid state of water. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers 16 Sunday $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton. org.

Matt Heaton & the Outside Toys.

Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard Snow Globe Making. Fruitlands Museum, St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. Mixing surf, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 1-3 p.m. An American roots, Irish rhythms, and humor, afternoon of crafting and bringing the outdoor Matt Heaton and his band delight individuals winter wonderland indoors with your very and families of all ages. Adults $13, children own snow globe. Register ahead. Members $5, $10. coolidge.org. nonmembers $10. fruitlands.org.

Singapalooza. David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St., Boston. 12 p.m. Enjoy a blend of original and classic songs with an all-star rhythm section. Free. berklee.edu/events.

The Holly Bears the Crown. David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St., Boston. 7:30 p.m. Nine of Berklee’s best vocalists present a lively pre-holiday concert of ballads, chanteys, and jigs from the British Isles. Free. berklee.edu/events.

It’s A Wonderful Life. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 7:30 p.m.

Follow a deeply frustrated businessman as he is visited by an angel to see what life would be like if he had never been born. Members $10, nonmembers $12. natickarts.org.

Berklee Symphonic Winds: American Legends. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. 8 p.m. Celebrate the music of Leonard Bernstein and the life of John F. Kennedy, during this performance of contemporary American music. Free. berklee.edu/events.

18 Tuesday Matt Heaton Singalong. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10-10:45 a.m. Enjoy as the Toddlerbilly Troubadour himself brings energy, verve, and delightful music for kids and parents to enjoy together. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Mirror, Mirror, What Do You See? Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

10-11 a.m. Play with different kinds of reflections and experiment by using mirrors to create symmetry, refract light, and expand your field of vision. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Backyard and Beyond: Trim a Tree for the Birds. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4 p.m. Drop by Discovery Woods to see what’s in the backyard. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Winter Solstice Celebration. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 3-4 p.m.

Learn about the winter solstice and make a special festive craft. For ages 4 to 6. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

4:30-5:30 p.m. Join Santa Claus as he comes to town, and take photos with a jolly Father Christmas. Free. mywpl.org.

It’s A Wonderful Life. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 7:30 p.m. Follow a deeply frustrated businessman as he is visited by an angel to see what life would be like if he had never been born. Members $10, nonmembers $12. natickarts.org.

20 Thursday Doggy Days: Winter Storytime. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m.

Join Therapy Dog Abby for a cozy, winter story-time. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Craft Day: Snowglobes. Worcester Public Library: Great Brook Valley Branch, 89 Tacoma St., Worcester. 3:30-4:30 p.m. A fun filled crafter-noon as we create and decorate our very own snow globes. Free. mywpl.org.

Polar Express Party. Worcester Public Library: Frances Perkins Branch, 470 West Boylston St., Worcester. 3:30-5:15 p.m.

Come watch the Polar Express, have a seasonal treat, and enjoy hot chocolate. Free. mywpl.org.

Gingerbread Houses. Worcester Public Library: Roosevelt Branch, 1006 Grafton St., Worcester. 4-5 p.m. Build your own gingerbread house and decorate your masterpiece with candy. Free. mywpl.org.

Fruitlands Family Solstice Stroll.

Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Light up the night with a Solstice Stroll, before gathering around our outdoor firepit. Register ahead. Member adults $9, nonmember adults $15, children free. fruitlands.org.

Solstice Scapes. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4:30 p.m. Drop-in and celebrate the Winter Solstice by painting some winter landscapes inspired by the shortest day of the year. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

21 Friday

Family Fun. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 3-5 p.m. Drop-in for family games, and activities. Building materials, activities, boards, and space to play together provided. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays.

Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

10-10:45 a.m. Experience the outdoors as a family and engage in a nature-based weather-inspired activity, exploring the Discovery Woods or conservation land. Recommended for ages 2 to 6. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Background and Beyond. Berk Recital Hall, 1140 Boylston St., Boston. 4 p.m. R&B and jazz comes through with a holiday swing, featuring the music of Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, Anita Baker, and Aretha Franklin. Free. berklee.edu/events.

Make a Kaleidoscope. Worcester Public Library: Great Brook Valley Branch, 89 Tacoma St., Worcester. 3:30-4:30 p.m. A fun filled afternoon making and decorating your very own kaleidoscope. Free. mywpl.org.

Groovalicious. David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St., Boston. 4 p.m. Relax during this showcase of the best performers through all musical styles. Free. berklee.edu/events.

Gingerbread Houses. Worcester Public Library: Burncoat Branch, 526 Burncoat St., Worcester. 4-5 p.m. Build your own gingerbread house and decorate your masterpiece with candy. Free. mywpl.org.

Polar Express Adventure. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 6-7 p.m. Come in your pajamas and join in the fun as your elf librarians host a fun-filled Polar Express adventure. For ages 12 and under. Free. mywpl.org.

String Fling. David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St., Boston. 7:30 p.m. Enjoy this biannual student showcase which highlights student groups featuring string players. Free. berklee.edu/events.

The Oh Hellos. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. 8 p.m. A Christmas Extravaganza is staged during this live show featuring carols, bad jokes, singalongs, dancing, revelry, and holiday cheer. $20-45. berklee.edu/events.

19 Wednesday WAM Stroller Tours. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy a docent led guide through the museum, followed by an age-appropriate story and light refreshments. Recommended for ages up to 3 with caregivers and siblings. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16, youths 4 and up $6, ages under 4 free. worcesterart.org.

Pop/Rock/Country Vocal Ensemble.

David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St., Boston. 4:00 p.m. Jeannie Gagne’s ensemble performs original and classic tunes with an allstar rhythm section. Free. berklee.edu/events.

Santa Visit. Worcester Public Library: Goddard Branch, 14 Richards St., Worcester.

BAYSTATEPARENT 15

22 Saturday BRICKTACULAR: Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker. LEGOLAND Discovery Center: Boston, 598 Assembly Row, Somerville. 10 a.m. Stop by all weekend to enjoy a holiday themed display capturing the joy of the Nutcrackers and Sugar Plum Fairies, activities, and large-scale sled. Through Sunday. Free with admission. Advance $14.95; day-of $23.

Boston.legolanddiscoverycenter.com.

The Muppet Christmas Carol. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline.

10:30 a.m. The Muppets unfold the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge who finds his way into the spirit of Christmas over the course of one night, with humor and heart. Adults $9, children $7. coolidge.org.

Kitchen Ka-Boom. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield. 11 a.m. Be a kitchen scientist with cool hands-on kids-safe experiments. Register ahead. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmember adults $13, youths 4 and up $6, ages under 4 free. berkshiremuseum.org.

Everyday Engineering: Cup Towers.

Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Engage in some everyday engineering as you construct and create with repurposed and recycled materials. Free with admis-

16 DECEMBER2018

sion. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Winter Solstice. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 12-4 p.m. Celebrate the longest night of the year, during this afternoon of Winter Solstice activities. Free. mywpl.org.

Photo courtesy of Worcester Art Museum

Winter Craft Workshop. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 4-5 p.m. Make a beautiful winter ornament with lots of love and lots of glittery as a gift for your favorite person. For ages 6 to 12. Free. mywpl.org.

The Muppet Christmas Carol. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 1:30 p.m. & 4 p.m. Join the Muppets as they take on the classic Dickensian tale following Ebenezer Scrooge find the meaning of Christmas, with humor and heart. Members $10, nonmembers $12. natickarts.org.

Toy Story. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m. Go back to where it all began, as a cowboy and a astronaut forge an unlikely friendship in this Pixar classic. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

23 Sunday Everyday Engineering: Cup Towers.

Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Engage in some everyday engineering as you construct and create with repurposed and recycled materials. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

24 Monday Zoo Lights with Santa & Mrs. Claus.

Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham. 5-9 p.m. Join Jolly Old St. Nick and Mrs. Claus in Santa’s Castle as you are dazzled by the flashing lights of the annual Zoo Lights

Opening Celebration: lumina. Worcester Art Museum. celebration. Advance adults $8, children $7; day-of adults $12, children $10, ages under 2 free. zoonewengland.org.

25 Tuesday Disney’s FROZEN Sing-Along. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 4 p.m.

Join the Regent Theatre and sing-along to the #1 All-Time Animated Film with song lyrics on the big screen and costume parade. Preferred admission adults $15, children $12.50; gen-

eral admission adults $12.50, children $10. regenttheatre.com.

26 Wednesday Holiday Electronics Camp. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield. 9 a.m.12 p.m. Spend the holidays learning how to wire and assemble your own colorful LED decorations. For grades 3 to 6. Register ahead. Members $25, nonmembers $30. berkshiremuseum.org.

Disney’s FROZEN Sing-Along. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 10 a.m.; 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. Join the Regent Theatre and we sing-along to the #1 All-Time Animated Film with song lyrics on the big screen and costume parade. Preferred admission adults $15, children $12.50; general admission adults $12.50, children $10. regenttheatre.com.

Rockabye Beats. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10-10:45 a.m. Come dance and sing, with original and contempo-

rary music the whole family can enjoy, featuring Special Language songs. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

of air to float and glide. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Tanglewood Marionettes: Hansel and Gretel. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 2-2:45 p.m. Watch as the Tanglewood Marionettes brings the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel to life, with great joy and wonderful melodies. Free. mywpl.org.

Holiday Vacation Week: Creative Sparks. Institute of Contemporary Arts: Boston, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Ignite your creativity with local artists in the Bank of America Art Lab as we enjoy collages, mixed media projects, and more. Through Friday. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $15, youths under 18 free. icaboston.org.

27 Thursday Holiday Electronics Camp. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield.

9 a.m.-12 p.m. Spend the holidays learning how to wire and assemble your own colorful LED decorations. For grades 3 to 6. Register ahead. Members $25, nonmembers $30. berkshiremuseum.org.

Coloring and Puzzling Fun. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster.

10 a.m.-12 p.m. Drop-in and take part in building a brand new 300-piece beautiful bird coloring puzzle. For ages 5 to 12. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

National Marionette Theatre: Peter and the Wolf. JFK Presidential Library & Museum, Columbia Point, Boston. 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Enjoy stunning scenery, handcrafted marionettes, and enchanting music as Peter and his animal friends work together to capture the wolf in turn-of-the-century Russia. Register ahead. Free. jfklibrary.org.

Everyday Engineering: Float and Fly. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Make whirligigs, hoop gliders, and more contraptions that harness the power

The House with a Clock in Its Walls.

Worcester Public Library: Frances Perkins Branch, 470 West Boylston St., Worcester.

3:30-5:30 p.m. Follow a young orphan who moves to Michigan to live with his warlock uncle and finds himself in a world-saving mission. Free. mywpl.org.

Wild West: The Mystery of the Golden Piano. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4-5 p.m. Grab your spurs and journey with ScienceTellers to the Wild West, where a legendary bank-robbing outlaw is back in town and about to strike again during this adventure story. Recommended for grades K to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Night Owls PJ Party. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 6-8 p.m. Explore the Museum and its special exhibition ‘Illustrated Owls’ under the cover of night with night-themed art projects, story-times, and films. Members free; nonmembers $5. carlemuseum.org.

28 Friday Disney’s FROZEN Sing-Along. Regent

Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 10 a.m.; 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. Join the Regent Theatre and sing-along to the #1 All-Time Animated Film with song lyrics on the big screen and costume parade. Preferred admission adults $15, children $12.50; general admission adults $12.50, children $10. regenttheatre.com.

Join your favorite wintery and snowy princesses throughout the day as you are dazzled by the flashing lights of the annual Zoo Lights celebration. Adults $12, children $10, ages under 2 free. zoonewengland.org.

Asparagus, Lady Pancake, and Sir French Toast on the third journey into the hilarious Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

29 Saturday

Lego Club. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Come for unstructured building time with the favorite toy of all builders: LEGOS. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Disney’s FROZEN Sing-Along. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 10 a.m.

Join the Regent Theatre and sing-along to the #1 All-Time Animated Film with song lyrics on the big screen and costume parade. Preferred admission adults $15, children $12.50; general admission adults $12.50, children $10. regenttheatre.com.

Library LEGO Inventors. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3-4 p.m.

Use your imagination or choose one of our LEGO challenges as you let loose and enjoy your afternoon. For grades K to 6. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

The Bremen Town Musicians Puppet Performance. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst.

11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. The CactusHead Puppets shows guests what a donkey, a cat, a dog, and a rooster can do when they have to leave their farm during this delightful humorous puppet show. Members $5.50; nonmembers $6. carlemuseum.org.

Everyday Engineering: Float and Fly. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Make whirligigs, hoop gliders, and more contraptions that harness the power of air to float and glide. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Princess Ariel Visit. Worcester Public Library: Tatnuck Branch, 1083 Pleasant St., Worcester. 10-11 a.m. Join us for an enchanting morning with Princess Ariel as she tells a story, sings songs, and meets our guests.

Free. mywpl.org.

Special Storytime: Josh Funk. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 2 p.m. Follow Agent

30 Sunday Everyday Engineering: Tinfoil Ferries.

Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Investigate floating by building tinfoil boats and loading them with pennies, to see how many your ship can resist. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Gifts for the Birds. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 1-3 p.m.

Join Museum Interpreters to make pinecone birdfeeders for our feathered friends for a tree

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 2:30 p.m. Follow Charlie and his grandpa Joe on their exciting adventure inside a very special chocolate factory. Free. mywpl.org.

Zoo Lights: Meet the Ice Princesses.

Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham. 5-8 p.m.

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either on the Fruitlands hillside or your own backyard. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $5, ages under 5 free. fruitlands.org.

31 Monday Bessie’s Noon Year’s Eve Party Prep.

Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

10-11:45 a.m. Get ready to shake, rattle, and roll, by making party hats and noisemakers, while donned in your finest pajamas. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Maker Day: Create. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. A day full of crafting and creativity sending off 2018. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Sensory Play. Worcester Public Library: Frances Perkins Branch, 470 West Boylston St., Worcester. 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Explore different textures, substances, and tools through moon sand, colored rice, and toys. For ages up to 5. Free. mywpl.org.

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Happy Noon Year. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Get ready for a festive New Year’s celebrate with crazy hat making, as we gather for the Countdown to Noon while we watch the ‘crystal’ ball drop. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $17, ages under 12 months free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Bessie’s Noon Year’s Eve Pajama Dance Party. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11:45 a.m. Dust off your dancing shoes, put on your finest PJs, and countdown to 12 Noon with a dance party, and DJ. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

New Year’s Eve Morning: The Magic of David Hall. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Ring in the New Year at the Berkshire Museum, as Boston-based magician David Hall amazes us with his astonishing illusions and magic. Member adults $5, children $3; nonmember adults $15, children $8. berkshiremuseum.org.

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Passing It On

The Importance of Family Traditions

BY AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER

A little useless trivia about me: my mother’s father was full-blooded Portuguese. Hailing from the Azores, a group of islands off the west coast of Portugal, my Grandpa Tony was kind-hearted, hardworking, and a true family man. He passed away when I was nine years old, but his legacy lives on in my family – particularly on Christmas Eve.

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very year on the night before Christmas, my grandpa was in his glory. He opened his home up to friends, family and neighbors. There was laughter, kids, chaos, and lots and lots of food.

His signature Christmas Eve dish was a simple linguica sandwich; two links of smoked Portuguese sausage and a smear of yellow mustard on papo seco (Portuguese rolls). Though simple and far from gourmet, I could never imagine a Christmas Eve without one of these sandwiches. It fulfills more than a food craving; to me, that little snack means memories, family and comfort.

Flash forward a few decades, and I’m preparing for another holiday season and looking forward to another Christmas Eve, this year with a child of my own. And the traditions that shaped my childhood are now shaping his.

That little linguica sandwich is just one of many things I look forward to every holiday season. There’s the lugging out of all the decorations, a chore that’s somehow cheerful and tedious at the same time. There’s the visit to the Christmas tree farm with my in-laws.

20 DECEMBER2018

And, of course, there’s the Christmas cookies. My mom has been using the same basic sugar cookie recipe for decades, pulling the tiny, tattered piece of paper that it’s written on out each year. It makes some pretty good cookies, though it’s never really been about that. Rolling out the dough, cutting out the cookies, baking and decorating is a family affair.

Holidays and traditions go hand-inhand. Our family customs are what make this time of year, or any other occasion we gather for, so special. And beyond that, traditions may actually make our families happier and our children healthier.

For decades, researchers have studied the role of traditions and rituals in family life – not just ones associated with holidays (though many are related), but any routine that has a symbolic meaning and helps families say “this is us.”

Psychologists have found links between family traditions and a child’s language and social skill development.

During the early childhood years, family routines provide an opportunity to

engage children in activities that have been shown to contribute to vocabulary enrichment, social skill building, and later academic achievement, according to a study in the journal Infants & Young Children. In fact, parents of preschoolers who show a stable commitment to rituals over a five-year period have kids who score higher on tests of academic achievement.

While it’s unlikely that the existence of routines actually cause these outcomes, family traditions appear to be part of the organizational and predictable parts of family life that support healthy child development.

As significant as those findings are, to me, there’s some simpler reasons for the importance of traditions: They provide a source of identity. Our traditions are the unique story of our family. They can help teach children where they came from and lend some insight on their cultural or religious history. Understanding your past helps us know that we belong to something bigger than ourselves.

They strengthen family bonds. Whether they are holiday traditions, religious beliefs, or daily routines, tradition helps pass on your family culture, cultivating bonds and pride. It gives your family something to provide unity as well as individualism.

They give us something to look forward to. Traditions create a routine, seasonality and rhythm in our lives. Whether it’s Sunday dinners, monthly movie nights, or changing out decorations every season, these little things give us something to count on and to anticipate.

They give us something to remember.

Passing down rituals is one way we can always hold on to our loved ones and their values. Which brings me back to that linguica sandwich, now an annual reminder of my late grandfather. My mom took over the Christmas Eve chef duties years ago, and it warms my heart to know my son will look back at his childhood holidays with some of the same memories I have: eating, playing and laughing at his grandparents’ house – the same food and the same comfortable chaos.

Readers Share Their Favorite Holiday Traditions

Sugar Cookies

“The whole family sits down Christmas Eve, reads a book about baby Jesus and sings happy birthday to him. The youngest child then places him in the manger.”

- Rose M.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt. In bowl with electric mixer set on medi-

3 cups all purpose flour 1 ½ tsp. baking powder ¼ tsp. salt 1 cup butter or margarine, at room temperature 1 ½ cups sugar 1 whole egg 1 egg yolk 2 tsp. vanilla extract

um-high speed, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Beat in egg, egg yolk and vanilla.

Reduce speed to low and gradually beat in flour mixture until combined. Roll dough into logs and wrap logs with wax paper. Chill in refrigerator for one hour.

Roll out onto lightly floured surface to ¼ inch thickness.

Cut into various shapes with cookie cutters. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets, 10-12 minutes at 350. Cool on wire racks.

you a rich, chocolatey cookie. Prepare dough for basic sugar cookies as directed, but decrease flour to 2 ½ cups and increase flour to 2 cups.

Add ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the flour mixture.

Chocolate variation: A few simple variations can give

“We make homemade cinnamon rolls and bring them for all our family and friends on Christmas Eve. That way everyone can just reheat them in the oven and have them for breakfast Christmas morning! The kids have gotten really good as they’ve gotten older at doing the steps to bake and ice them.

It’s a fun tradition!”

- Sarah P. “We have an advent calendar that was mine as a child.

The kids take turns moving a stuffed bear around a ‘house’ full of winter activities. And we always get Chinese food on Christmas day.”

- Anitra S. “Cookie baking day, Christmas brunch, Christmas Eve with our family and Nana sleeping over! Our Elf, Sparkle! Picking out our tree, tracking Santa on NORLAD, listening to Christmas music while we decorate the house/tree! Advent calendars, Christmas pageant at school, Christmas choir concert. So many wonderful things about Christmas!”

- Heather C. “My mother-in-law always buys my children a new Christmas ornament based on their Halloween costume for that year. They can’t wait to receive them and enjoy putting them on the tree each year!”

- Amanda M. “Open a giant new book and family game, and enjoy reading and playing games in front of the tree in our pajamas on Christmas Eve.” - Sharon B.

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THE HOLIDAYS CAPTURED WITH

Bad Santa!

Readers share their funniest pictures with Saint Nick.

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1. Older brother Tim is all smiles, but Tommy and Bobby aren’t too sure about Santa.

5. Kyle’s mom says this picture of her son with Santa at 2 years old is still her favorite -- 17 years later!

2. Twinning! Toddlers Lauren and Emma both sob on Santa’s lap.

6. Elisabeth, 4, from Worcester, not thrilled to meet the Man in the Big Red Suit.

3. Natick brothers Cooper and Sawyer aren’t feeling the same about this photo with Mr. Claus.

4. Two-year-old Addison, pictured with mom, Jill and her brother Cameron, wonders who the bearded guy is.

(Santa was actually her grandfather!)

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7. This hilarious 2013 snap of Sadie, Bella and mom and dad is a Coghlan family favorite.

Happy Holidays!

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22 DECEMBER2018

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THE HOLIDAYS

Sweet Holiday Candy Crafts ‘Tis the season to be crafty! Candy canes and peppermints are the stars of these easy and adorable holiday-themed crafts.

Photography by Shawna Shenette

Candy Cane Planter

Mini Peppermint Plate

• 1 empty 28 ounce food can (ours was from tomato sauce) • 36-40 individually unwrapped candy canes • Glue gun and glue sticks • Embellishments

• 12-20 starlight mints, unwrapped • Cookie sheet • Parchment paper • Wire rack

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place one mint where you want the center of your plate. Working outward from the center, arrange mints in circular pattern. Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the candies have melted into each other. Cool on a wire rack.

Pipe glue along the back of unwrapped candy cane, and attach to the outside of the can with hook at the top, curving away from the can. Repeat with candy canes to cover the entire outside of the can. Be careful to glue them on straight. Decorate with your choice of embellishments. This planter will hold a 4-inch potted plant.

Candy Cane Reindeer Ornament • 2 wrapped candy canes • Brown pipe cleaner • Googly eyes • Red mini pom-pom • Glue gun and glue sticks • Ornament hook Pipe glue along the candy canes and stick together, with the hooks curving away from each other. Wrap candies with brown pipe cleaner. Glue eyes and nose onto pipe cleaner. Slide ornament hook into the backside of the pipe cleaner.

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THE HOLIDAYS VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE

Stores Offer ‘Quiet Hours’ and Sensory-Friendly Shopping This Season

BY DARA T. ALLEN

A

bout 1 in 59 children in America have autism spectrum disorder, according to statistics from the Center for Disease Control. While autism can vary widely, sensory sensitivity is a common trait. People with ASD may get overstimulated by noise, lights, and other aspects of modern life, making something like a trip to the store an overwhelming experience. This can be even tougher during the holiday season, when stores are packed with crowds.

Melissa from Dunstable knows how challenging shopping can be for those with sensory sensitivities. She’s mom to 11-yearold twins, James and Ben, who are autistic and non-verbal, and 9-year-old Matt, who was diagnosed with high functioning autism. The best time to shop is early in the morning, when the day is fresh, she said.

Her twins use noise-cancelling headphones and they prefer to shop at times when the stores are less crowded and noisy.

24 DECEMBER2018

In recent years, many stores have started to rethink the holiday shopping experience for customers with children with special needs. With a few modifications, to bring down sensory stimulations, shopping can be easier for families like Melissa’s. Stores such as JC Penny, Target, and Barnes & Noble have offered “quiet hours” for shopping -- times when the store opens early exclusively to children with autism and their families, with measures to make the ambiance sensory-friendly.

The Framingham Barnes & Noble held its first sensory-friendly event last spring, with support and guidance from the Doug Flutie Jr. Autism Alliance, and has since held the event each quarter.

“Our doors open one hour early for our sensory friendly shopper, so they can have the store to themselves prior to our public opening time,” explained Suzanne Hamel, Community Business Development Manager at Barnes & Noble. “We dim

the lighting, shut off the wide screens and turn of the store sound system. They have the benefit of customer service representatives, booksellers to help with selections and merchandise discovery and uninterrupted access to cashiers.”

Melissa’s family has attended several sensory-friendly events, but a “Caring Santa” event at the Burlington Mall, stands out in her mind. There, adjustments are made to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children of all abilities. This year, the special event will be held from 9-10:30 a.m. on Sundays, December 2 and 9.

“The malls do a nice job hav-

ing activities for the kids to do while they wait and it is quiet and calm in the mall while the families wait -- not a typical line,” Melissa recalled. “You sign up and they call you by number for certain times. Last year [there were] therapy dogs there to pet while you waited. It was amazing!”

Other, smaller local businesses have also taken steps to making shopping more inclusive. Jessica Rollins, who owns Bridle Path Tack in Westminster, carefully planned the layout of the store: everything is on casters, making the space easier to navigate, and allowing people in wheelchairs to get around comfortably, and

the changing rooms are spacious; big enough to hold two to three people such as a rider a parent or PCA, personal care assistant.

Rollins strives to create a calming shopping time for riders or their family members with sensory sensitivities or for those on the autism spectrum.

She designed the shop hours around people who might need more quiet, privacy, or less sensory stimulation, offering morning hours by appointment only.

Dara T. Allen lives with her family in a small town west of Boston.

Among other things, she loves writing, a great story, a pelting rainstorm, and Starbucks soy latte.

‘50s Throwback: Roller Skates Reminisce on simpler days, when a night out meant burgers in the Chevy, music on the jukebox, and a waitress whizzing by on skates. Circle Society has unveiled a new line of retro-inspired adjustable roller skates, with fun prints ranging from cotton candy hues to cool checkered designs. Keeping the spirit of classic roller skates while adding modern technology, Instagram-ready details, and bold colors make for a throwback gift that’s fun and fashionable.

All skates will be available in a U.S. youth 12-3 or kids 3-7 sizes (ages 5 to 14).

Available at Target and amazon.com. $49.99.

Retro-Themed

Gifts

‘70s Throwback: Jenga

That Will Make You Feel Nostalgic

5 COOL GIFTS THAT PROVE EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN Looking to gift some nostalgia this holiday season? Journey back in time with these five finds. Each puts a modern spin on one of a decade’s most popular products.

Based on an incredibly simple concept, Jenga is one of those ‘board’ games that will never go out of style. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for the classic, first introduced in the 1970s, to bring something new to the table. Enter Jenga GIANT, the biggest Jenga game ever, stacking to over 5-feet high. The new version of the game also comes with tournament charts for competitive play, making it truly feel like a sport.

What better way to get your game on with family this season? Recommended for ages 12+. Available at jengagiant.com. $169.95.

‘80s Throwback: Hydro Strike Bring back family game night! Pressman Toy Corporation is reintroducing some timeless classics this season, including ‘80s fave Hydro Strike. In this head-to-head pinball game, players need fast flipping fingers to shoot the ball into their opponent’s goal. When players score, their opponent gets a surprising spray of water to the face. It’s sure to make a splash with kids in 2018. Available at Target and amazon.com. $26.99.

‘60s Throwback: The ViewMaster One of childhood’s greatest gadget’s has gotten an upgrade. RetroViewer allows you to create a custom retro reel viewer with your own photos. Upload your photos online and get custom-made reel with 3D captions. Each set also includes a viewer and box. image3d.com. $29.99 per set.

‘90s Throwback: The Inflatable Chair The youth of America may have been born after 2006, but their parents (and fun aunts and uncles) will fully appreciate this nostalgic throwback to the times of butterfly clips and Jonathan Taylor Thomas hysteria. The newest in funky seating options comes from Mainstays Kids, with these Inflatable Chairs that are filled with gold holographic foil glitter. Each chair comes with a Blow Dryer Adapter; an extension you simply attach to a blow dryer and within minutes, you have a fully inflated chill zone.

Suitable for ages 4-12. Available at Walmart and walmart.com. $19.98.

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GIRLS CAN! Crate

Creation Crate Suggested Age Range: 12+ Cost: Starting at $22.49/month

Suggested Age Range: Girls 5-10 Cost: $25.95/month

Why We Love It: Perfect for the kid who loves to make stuff, Creation Crate offers a new hands-on tech project each month that teaches electronics, coding and high-level problem solving.

Available in 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-month options, these kits get progressively more challenging, allowing young techies to build on their skill level every month. Project examples include building a Mood Lamp, Memory Game and Weather Station.

Choose between Engineering of Electronic themed subscriptions. creationcrate.com.

Why We Love It: Designed to inspire young girls to know they can be and do anything, each crate introduces them to a different real-life fearless female. A new 20-page GIRLS CAN! activity book, 2-3 hands-on STEAM activities, a creative play prop, collectible button, and all the supplies needed to learn and have fun arrives each month.

Smaller boxes also available. girlscancrate.com.

8 Awesome Subscription Boxes for Kids Gifts that keep on giving What kid doesn’t love getting mail? And when it happens to be a box full of toys, gadgets, books, clothes or crafts? Even better! Subscription boxes make a great holiday gift because they last beyond the season. Instead of a toy that children may soon tire of, a subscription gift provides new fun with every box.

Here are some of our favorites, with something for children of all ages and spanning a wide variety of interests.

Little Passports Suggested Age Range: Early Explorers for ages 3-5; World Edition for ages 6-10; USA Edition for ages 7-12; Science Expeditions for ages 9+ Cost: $12.95-$18.95/month Why We Love It: These spark a love for adventure and travel early on. The littlest explorers are introduced to a theme each month like music, oceans or dinosaurs, while boxes for elementary-age kids dive into a new country each month, with souvenirs, hands-on activities, letters, recipes and more. In the USA Edition, each month delivers a road trip to two U.S. states, where kids can discover cool landmarks and history, test out regional recipes, crafts, puzzles, activities and more. With Science Expeditions, kids reveal the mysteries of the world through science experiments and activities. Boxes give kids the opportunity to build rockets, extract DNA from a strawberry, build a skeleton and more. littlepassports.com.

26 DECEMBER2018

Yellow Scope Science Kits Suggested Age Range: Girls 8-12 Cost: $24.99-$49.99/kit Why We Love It: While these aren’t actually a subscription, there are enough boxes to keep the fun -- and learning -- going for a few months. (Just keep in mind you will have to order each one.) Yellow Scope science kits are engaging, creative and chock-full of real science -- and designed specifically for girls at the age they tend to lose confidence in the fields of science and technology. There’s plenty of room for girls to draw their observations, doodle their ideas, and design their very own experiments. yellow-scope.com.

Brick Loot Suggested Age Range: 6+ Cost: Starting at $24.88/month Why We Love It: Brick Loot was created by LEGO-loving 9-year-old (who’s now 14), Parker Krex, who thought, “wouldn’t it be cool to get a box of LEGOs every month?”

So they do just that, shipping a new box filled with custom LEGO kits, minifigures, LEGO compatible sets and building accessories to little builders’ doorstep every month.

Subscribers also get exclusive sets that are not available in toy stores. Available in 1-, 3-, 6-month and 1-year options. brickloot.com.

Sock Panda Suggested Age Range: Kids plan ages 3-8, or tween plan ages 9-11 Cost: $15-$16/month Why We Love It: Who doesn’t love fun socks? Sock Panda specializes in socks with unique designs, sending out two snazzy new pairs to subscribers each month.

Bonus: the company donates socks to those in need for every purchase. sockpanda.com.

KIDBOX Suggested Age Range: Newborn to size 14/16 Cost: Pay only for the clothes you keep, or pay $98 to keep the whole box.

(Plus free shipping & returns) Why We Love It: You can round out your child’s wardrobe with more than 120 brands, without ever having to drag them to the store to try anything on. Each month, you’ll get 5-7 clothing items based on the size and style preferences you select when signing up. Keep what you want, and send back the rest. If you keep the entire box, KIDBOX makes a donation to a charity. The coolest part? You and your child get to pick the charity from their options, which include organizations that help military families, foster kids, and more. kidbox.com.

Raddish Kids Suggested Age Range: 4-14 Cost: Starting at $20/month Why We Love It: The perfect gift for a blossoming foodie or young chef, Raddish helps kids cultivate a diverse palate, experience culinary creativity, and build a foundation for a love of cooking. Every month, a newly themed kit with recipes, cooking activities and tools arrives. Parents can sneak in science, geography, nutrition and more while making memories in the kitchen. Kids also get a special badge to commemorate each newly mastered kitchen skill. raddishkids.com.

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THE HOLIDAYS

Bridging the Holidays: How Five Interfaith Couples Blend Love and Traditions

BY DARA T. ALLEN

S Celebrating two faiths promotes transparency about differences, encourages family unity, gives extended family equal weight, and provides literacy in more than one religion.

28 DECEMBER2018

top by Patrick and Alison’s Milton home this December, and you’ll see it decked out for the holidays.

Two holidays, actually.

You’ll see an Elf on the Shelf and a Mensch on a Bench. You’ll find a Christmas tree topped with a Star of David in the cozy glow of Christmas lights and Chanukah candles.

Alison is Jewish and Patrick is Catholic. Both rooted deeply in their faiths, the couple did not want to convert to each others’ religion, so before tying the knot they had many discussions about what it would mean to have an interfaith marriage.

“This included knowing that we wanted to have children, and wanted those children to have both faiths as part of their upbringing,” said Alison.

They have incorporated both of their religious traditions – the cultural and the more formal – into their sons’ lives.

“This was best evident in the combined Baby Naming and Baptism we had for each of our sons where we celebrated the religious rites with both a priest and rabbi,” said Alison.

Patrick and Alison are among a growing number of couples in interfaith marriages, who are raising their children with to practice traditions of more than one religion.

According to a 2015 survey by the Pew Research Center, a comparison of recent and older marriages shows that having a spouse of the same reli-

gion may be less important to many Americans today than it was decades ago. Their study found that almost 4 in 10 Americans who have married since 2010 have a spouse who is in a different religious group. By contrast, only 19% of those who wed before 1960 reported being married to someone of a different religion.

There can be many benefits for interfaith couples to teach children both religions. In an article “The Case for Raising Your Child With Two Religions,” Susan Katz Miller, who authored a book on the subject, says that “being both is not simply a compromise or negotiated settlement, but a positive, inspirational choice.”

She points out that celebrating two faiths promotes transparency about differences, encourages family unity, gives extended family equal weight, and provides literacy in more than one religion.

Still, there can be challenges.

“We feel that one of the most important parts of religion is feeling the sense of community with others,” said Alison. “We are still trying to find a single interfaith community where our children can grow, learn and strengthen their faith with other children who are interfaith.”

Here’s how some other couples are navigating raising their children in two faiths, and how they’re celebrating their spirituality by blending tradition with their own unique twists this holiday season and beyond.

Dan and Clara Somerset, MA Clara remembers hearing the doorbell ring and experiencing a rush of panic. As her husband headed to the front door to welcome his mother for a visit, she sprinted into the family room, grabbed a framed photo off the wall and shoved it under the couch.

Flash forward 25 years and Clara explains, “The photo was of my daughter, Jeanette dressed up for her first Communion. My mother-in-law, who lived out of state, was unaware that we were bringing up our daughter Catholic like me, and Jewish like her dad. Can you imagine if she saw the picture?”

Clara knew from the beginning that her in-laws were not initially thrilled that their only Jewish son was marrying the Catholic girl that he had met at work.

“The decision to withhold [bringing our daughter up in both faiths] from my parents, my mom especially, was based on the fact that they would not have seen this choice, our choice, as a viable option for their grandchildren. We wanted Jeanette (and our sons) to know and embrace both of our faiths,” said Dan. “Our children celebrate all of the holidays such as Christmas, Yom Kippur, Easter, Rosh Hashanah and more. And yes, we have a Christmas tree and stockings and light a Menorah. And why not? Our children have a richer sense of empa-

thy and understanding today, and we’ve shared valuable family in both the church and the temple.”

Sarah and Tim Grafton, MA Like Clara and Dan, Sarah and her husband were also influenced by family while pondering the religious path of their son, Riley, now 11 years old.

“I was baptized Episcopalian and had no intention of converting and my husband is Catholic. My mother-in-law was adamant about Riley becoming Catholic. So, we chose both.

The religions share the majority of celebrations and we rotate churches weekly, unless there is a special event at a one that we want to attend.

We feel warmly accepted by both congregations.”

Sarah explains that even though her husband is Catholic, she is usually the one to accompany Riley to church each week. “I really don’t mind.

I’ll admit that I have learned a lot. For me, the biggest difference was in communion. In my church, anyone can receive communion at any time and the Eucharist is more symbolic, while in the Catholic Church, it is considered the actual body and blood of Christ.”

Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (December 12) Christmas, Día de Reyes and Semana Santa with Adrian’s family.

For Día de los Muertos, the family decorates their house and brings food to the cemetery. Sometimes, things get a little intertwined.

“Now, this is kind of hilarious because we are usually in New York for Día de los Muertos. We bring pastrami on rye and a Dr. Brown’s black cherry soda to the cemetery in Paramus, New Jersey, where my father is buried. It’s pretty amazing. Anyone around is usually like ‘is that pastrami?’” laughed Anna.

“We decided to respect each other’s faiths and teach our children that faith and spirituality is stronger than religion,” Anna continued. “Although religion is important, tradition is what we want to teach our children, and a faith in a higher

power. Guadalupe is a strong female figure, important when raising girls or boys. HaShem and Jesus are a great presence in our home. Both of their teachings are about doing good in the world.”

Marcy and Jim Manomet, MA Marcy and Jim met at a pier in Plymouth and found that they were very much alike.

This surprised her because she says that they come from “two separate worlds.” Marcy was raised Wiccan by her mother and is the head of a small coven. She practices a Nordic style of Wiccan, and Jim was raised Greek Orthodox.

Together, they celebrated Halloween by trick-or-treating, although her mother-in-law is

very much against it, and later they celebrated Samhain with a bonfire, late night party and a casting for fall.

This December they will celebrate Christmas and Yule, which falls the day before. “For Yule, we give back to the earth.

We will hang pine cones with honey and peanut butter and will offer birdseed and fruit slices,” said Marcy.

The couple have discussed their future children and both agree on bringing them up with both religions. While Marcy had once been reluctant to share her religion with former boyfriends who incorrectly liken the Wiccan religion to an episode of Netflix’s “Sabrina,” she found a safe haven with Jim. Marcy says it would be wonderful to celebrate her favorite holiday, Samhain with her

future children. She would love to carve jack-o-lanterns, paint their faces, dress up in costumes and cast their first circles. But, she is very determined to let her children be in charge of their own religious destinies.

Marcy and Jim will give their children the gift of choice.

“Whatever religion my children decide upon, we will support them one hundred percent.

The could be Wiccan, Catholic, Jewish or something else,” Marcy said.

Dara T. Allen lives with her family in a small town west of Boston.

Among other things, she loves writing, a great story, a pelting rainstorm, and Starbucks soy latte.

Anna and Adrian Brooklyn, NY Anna and Adrian’s home is permeated with love and warmth, food, and celebrations. Anna was raised Jewish and her husband, from Puebla, Mexico, is Catholic. The decision to celebrate in both traditions was an easy one.

“The Jews and the Mexicans are pretty much the same people. We love family and we eat all the time,” said Anna.

The couple, along with their children, Helen, age 3, and Alma, age 1, celebrate all of the Jewish, American, Catholic and Mexican holidays. “We do Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah and Passover with my mother,” she said. “Although Adrian is confused about some of the Jewish traditions during Hanukkah, he loves when I make latkes, or as he likes to call them, ‘chachalakas.’ This year we will do a Mexican version with guacamole instead of applesauce. Yum!” The family attends synagogue and both daughters were named in Hebrew at their local synagogue. They also celebrate Día de los Muertos, BAYSTATEPARENT 29

THE HOLIDAYS

Doctor’s Tips for Coping with

HOLIDAY STRESS

BY DR. BRITTANY FALCONE AND DR. VITO GIACALONE

M

ake each day of your holiday season intentional, by considering opportunities to focus on your family’s health, and you will have a memorable, stress-free December.

Enjoy moments - don’t let family or holiday expectations get in the way, overextend your time, energy or budget.

Stress is an emotion that can take on many forms: mental, physical, chemical and financial. When you encounter a stressful situation, your brain responds with a fight-or-flight reaction. That response

30 DECEMBER2018

is hard-wired in each of us and it is healthy and necessary. The problem, at times like December, comes when your system is activated too often, and you do not have enough time to recover.

Adrenaline and cortisol are the two hormones released when you encounter stress.

Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevating your blood pressure and boosts energy supplies. Prehistorically, this hormonal response was beneficial; if you were to encounter a bear or a lion, the adrenaline helped to prepare your

body and muscles to respond. Though today’s stressors are not usually physical threats, like bears or lions, your body physiologically responds in the same way. While this response can be beneficial, if prolonged it can lead to negative health consequences, like high blood pressure.

Cortisol works to increases sugar in the blood, improves your brain’s ability to use that energy, and inhibits certain bodily functions that are nonessential in a fight-or-flight situation. If you were to encounter a physical threat your body

is not concentrating on digesting the dinner you’ve eaten or engaging your immune response. What does this mean for you if you’re under too much stress during the holidays? You may gain weight and probably catch that cold going around the office.

You can’t avoid stress, but you can work to minimize it. Here are a few strategic tips to keep you healthy this season:

Exercise Give yourself at least 20 minutes of elevated heart rate physical exercise every day. A brisk walk is fine and provides a great opportunity for you to include your children. If you don’t like cold weather, push-ups, squats, or planks will suffice. Implement one change today; disease does not happen overnight, nor does good health. Be consistent, you will see results.

“ohm.” The purpose of meditation is to free your mind of all thoughts. It isn’t easy. Give yourself a few minutes each day to focus on abdominal breathing. Repetitive tasks like knitting, walking, or doing puzzles (anything that doesn’t require a lot of mental energy) will also keep you focused.

Take Care of Yourself Imagine this scenario: it’s the week before Christmas. You’ve

been standing in the kitchen for hours, baking cakes, cookies, meals, and washing dishes on hardwood or tile floors.

This wreaks havoc on the feet, knees, pelvis, and spine. To keep your nervous system functioning and your joints in proper alignment, consider making a chiropractic appointment. People pay for things they want, not for the things they need.

Take care of yourself first and this will help you to be a good example for your children. Children are more prone

to holiday stress when they sense it in the adults around them. Through these suggested strategies you can help your children stay healthy and happy. Focus on yourself and your family (in that order) and that will ensure the holidays remain the most wonderful time of the year.

of low-risk and non-invasive therapeutic techniques for patients and specializes in working with active individuals/athletes and musicians.

Learn more about them at backtohealthchiro.com.

Dr. Brittany Falcone and Dr. Vito Giacalone are Worcesterbased chiropractors.

Dr. Falcone, a mother, specializes in pediatric and pregnancy related chiropractic care. Dr. Giacalone promotes awareness

Minimize Sugar Why is that we crave something sweet after a stressful encounter? Replace candy, cookies, and other sweets with citrus fruits or strawberries. If you are still craving something sweet, try substituting sugar in your coffee or baked goods with Stevia – a natural calorie free alternative.

In the grocery store, look for the brand Truvia.

Set a Budget Set a holiday budget and stick to it. Include gifts, entertaining, travel, holiday apparel and everything else that you spend outside of your ordinary budget.

If you do not have a budget, take the time to figure it out. Financial stress is a reality for most of us during and after the holidays.

Apps like Mint or Personal Capital connect to your bank and credit card accounts, logging and sorting your expenses. You can set a budget of how much discretionary spending you allow yourself, and the app will warn you when you’re hitting your limit.

Meditate/Relax Contrary to popular belief, proper meditation is not necessarily sitting cross-legged on a serene cliff in silence, hands resting palm up in your lap with thumbs and forefingers lightly touching while repetitively humming, BAYSTATEPARENT 31

FINALLY FOREVER December’s Child: Meet Jewel Hi, I’m Jewel, and I love to listen to music!

Jewel, age 12, is a kind-hearted girl of Caucasian descent.

She is very intelligent and is succeeding in all of her classes at school. She loves to read, do puzzles and play computer games. Jewel also likes to stay active and be outside. She likes to ride her bike, play sports and do gymnastics for fun.

32 DECEMBER2018

Jewel is also artistic and likes to listen to music and create art.

Jewel is legally freed for adoption and would like to join a caring family that can support her needs. Jewel will do best in a family that an offer her structure and routine. She wants somewhere she can feel safe and engage in fun activities with her family. It is important

for Jewel to maintain contact with her grandparents and brother. Jewel will do well in a family of any constellation with children older than her present in the home or no children present in the home.

Can you provide the guidance, love and stability that a child needs? If you’re at least 18 years old, have a stable source of income, and room in your heart,

you may be a perfect match to adopt a waiting child. Adoptive parents can be single, married, or partnered; experienced or not; renters or homeowners; LGBTQ singles and couples.

The process to adopt a child from foster care requires training, interviews, and home visits to determine if adoption is right for

you, and if so, to help connect you with a child or sibling group that your family will be a good match for.

To learn more about adoption from foster care, call the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) at 617-6273 or visit www.mareinc.org.

Circle of Friends

Area Adoption Info & Matching Events Ready to learn more about adoption?

Join an information meeting in your area to hear directly from social workers and experienced families, have your questions answered, and receive and application.

Northern Region Adoption Info Session: Monday, December 3, 6-7 p.m. Jordan’s Furniture IMAX Conference Room. 50 Walkers Brook Dr., Reading. Walk-ins welcome, RSVP encouraged. Contact: Fredia Torrence at (978) 557-2734 or fredia. torrence@state.ma.us.

Springfield Area Adoption Info Session: Tuesday, December 4, 4-5:30 p.m. DCF Western Regional Office, 140 High St., 1st Floor, Springfield.

Framingham Area Adoption Info Session: Thursday, December 6, 6-7:30 p.m. DCF Area Office, 300 Howard St., Framingham. No registration required.

Contact: Sheila Fitzgerald at 508-424-0145.

Central Region Adoption Info Session: Wednesday, December 12, 6 p.m. DCF Central Regional Office, 13 Sudbury St., Worcester. No registration required. Contact: Valerie Fluitt at 508-929-2143.

Canton Area Adoption Info Session: Monday, December 17, 6-8 p.m. Canton Police Department Conference Room, 1492 Washington St., Canton. RSVP: ADLU Line at (508) 894-3830.

BAYSTATEPARENT 33

4 Ways to Empower Kids to Build a

“WE” COMMUNITY

BY KAT KRONENBERG

We live in a society that is all too often “every man or woman – or even child – for him or herself,” and these skewed values are shaping young generations. Do we really want to live in a world in which we can’t recognize that our neighbor’s triumphs and struggles are very much our own?

What if, instead, we taught our children to embrace a “we” mentality as they grow and eventually shape their own communities?

W

hen I was a child and then a young woman, I faced very difficult losses, and because I didn’t feel included in a “we” community, I suffered. Pain, loss, and failure are a part of life and unavoidable, but suffering is optional. If we don’t take the time to reinforce an emotional foundation, tools for coping and helping others, and a sense of community for our kids, they too will suffer when they inevitably face hardship. Because of my personal

34 DECEMBER2018

experience, I am on a quest to turn the lights on for those in the dark, and that begins with teaching our young generations to build inclusive “we” communities in which love and belonging are at the core.

How do we empower kids to build “we” communities? Here are four traits we must instill:

1. Kindness What if we woke up each day with our families, best friends, and classrooms and made the

collective decision to go out together (yes! Like superheroes in capes!) and find ways to be kind, to bring a smile to someone’s day, and help others who may be struggling. It all starts with our commitment to being kind, and from there we can teach our kids that embarking on a mission of kindness can truly build connections on all kinds of levels.

2. Sharing When I am hungry, angry,

lonely, or tired, I hold tight to what I think is “mine, mine, mine.” It is justified. I need it. I earned it. I can’t survive without it. I am living from fear and scarcity. When I get in this space, I realize I am alone by my own thinking. I don’t belong anywhere, not even to myself. We all feel like this from time to time – especially kids.

How do we bridge the gap and get back to love and belonging? When we notice that our kids are in a negative

frame of mind, we must teach them first to pause and take a deep breath. Then we can encourage them to ask themselves where they can help someone: share their time, their food, or their toys. When we share, we create smiles (ours and the recipient of our sharing) – and smiles connect us. Let’s teach our children that a smile is a “u-shaped bridge” that connects one point to another, and that the more we share, the more connected and happier we will feel.

3. Listening Children often have a range of emotions coursing through them, and it’s up to us to teach them how to harness these emotions for good. When they are facing a trial, they can listen to how others got through a similar tough time to be uplifted and, in turn, uplift others.

Listening will also make kids realize that they are never alone – there are always others who have gone through something before us, and we can all learn from each other’s experiences. We need to remind children that there are teachers, mentors, and peers who are willing to listen to them, and that if they are willing to listen to others, we will be able to build a strong “we” community.

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4. Caring A hand, a listening ear, someone taking the time to see you and hear you, even cry with you – this is the most valuable gift we can give and receive. By extending ourselves to another person in need, we are telling them “I value you!” These gestures leave an eternal, angelic mark that changes people forever. We need to teach our children at a young age to look outside of themselves, and to realize that it feels just as good to give genuine care as it does to receive it.

“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have,” said Margaret Mead.

Let’s be the change. It starts with us, as parents, mentors, teachers, and role models, and extends to the generations who will carry this world on their shoulders. They watch us carefully, so if we can find ways to be kind, share, listen and care and teach them to do the same, then they will have the tools necessary and be empowered to build a better world.

Kat Kronenberg is a speaker, presenter, and a celebrated children’s book author.

As a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, she writes books that inspire us to encourage one another, fight for our dreams, and embrace joy. Love Big, out in January 2019, is the second book in a trilogy.

BAYSTATEPARENT 35

Finding Faith: Motherhood Has Taught Me the Meaning of Blessed

BY BRENDA DONOGHUE

36 DECEMBER2018

It

is sometimes harried, sometimes side-splittingly funny, and always joy-filled.

But, the experience of motherhood has a breadth and depth far exceeding any one snippet that any individual story could possibly convey.

There is a spiritual depth I never before experienced until I had children.

Much to my surprise, becoming a mother made me find my faith and steadied my spirit like never before.

I didn’t really expect this to happen; I didn’t give it much thought at all. Yet, without planning for it, this is exactly what did happen when my sons were born.

I met the beings that claimed their bodies before their eyes could focus or lips curl in a smile. Powerful little souls occupied their tiny bodies, souls I could recognize in their eyes, and feel in their breath and in their touch. Somehow, their spirits were strong enough for me to glimpse their basic personalities, already present, before

any other form of communication was available to them.

I could see each of them clearly. I knew them from the first moments.

And, something changed in me from there on out.

Where did their powerful presence, their souls, come from when the bodies were still so tiny and new?

It was the closest I ever came to meeting God, and truly understanding that there is a greater plan, something much larger than whatever consumes me at any given moment in time. I rediscovered faith, and truly understood, for me at least, what it means to feel blessed.

Those little souls, my boys, came to us from, or through, a power greater than what we truly know or comprehend.

I think for this reason, a lot of things within me changed when I became a mother. I became unexpectedly surefooted, steadier, and calmer than I had ever been before.

A feeling of joy, the type of which I had never experienced, surfaced and remains

a constant to this day – even when I feel especially over-extended and frustrated. And, to this day, like never before, time often stops without warning, and I feel an overwhelming sense of being blessed.

It could happen while my house is a disaster zone, and the kids are in the midst of sibling warfare. With just one little giggle, a nuzzle, or a special look, I’m lost in the moment and I’m theirs.

Or, even right now, it is happening as my five-year-old leans into me while I try to type (and attempt to complete a string of thoughts).

He’s talking nonstop, making up words for his nonsensical phrases, and sticking his elbow in my face as he nudges in as close as possible to ensure I’m listening. Still, he looks to me with his big innocent eyes as if I am his everything, and I melt.

Or, the other night, when my seven-year-old whipped off his football helmet after practice and sauntered off the field, feigning coolness for

the benefit of his friends. His disheveled red hair was lined with sweat, and his adorable, freckled face opened into an innocent, secret smile. But when the field lights turned off he surreptitiously tugged on my sleeve, seeking reassurance that I would stay by his side. (Sweetie, if you only knew how much I always will).

These moments don’t always make sense. They are usually not accompanied by great fanfare. All the same, they steady me.

It’s a feeling of surety. I like to think of it as faith, a faith that strengthens me because I can now understand and make sense of my world, of their world…and of my life for them…and of theirs for me. The minutia and activities of any given day are nothing but fillers. The relationships, the people we connect with and touch, are what fuels our lives – and our greater universe.

So, to the younger generation of women preparing to begin the journey of mother-

hood, I say this: The struggle to find or maintain balance, the temporary, fleeting feeling of loss of identity, and constant motion required to “have it all,” are simply snapshots; just temporary experiences. They don’t show the bigger picture.

I can’t speak for everyone’s experience with motherhood, but for this harried mom, it has all been worth it. It makes sense. It’s part of me.

It’s what was meant to be.

Brenda Donoghue juggles a fulltime career with raising two boys in Central Massachusetts.

Her writing is inspired by occasional flashes of insight during the chaotic daily grind, which she strives to navigate with humor and grace.

BAYSTATEPARENT 37

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December INDEX 38 DECEMBER2018

29 38 6 13 16 38 19 18 13 24 2 15

Abby Kelley Foster Big Joe Productions Boch Performing Arts Center Boch Performing Arts Center Boch Performing Arts Center Boston Paintball City Of Worcester Discovery Museums Ecotarium Fletcher Tilton FMC Ice Sports Hanover Theatre

21 33 8 5 37 34 38 27 18 35 29 18

Hanover Theatre Heywood Hospital Legoland Discovery Center Boston Mall At Whitney Field McDonalds Midwifery By Marianne Mike’s Moonwalk Rentals Millbury Federal Credit Union New England Kids Dental Oak Meadow Pakachoag Community Music School Powell Stone & Gravel Inc.

31 9 38 17 35 32 12 27 40 17 30 3

Reliant Medical Group Reliant Ready Med Rosalita’s Puppets Shrewsbury Children’s Center The Children’s Workshop The Winchendon School UMass Memorial Medical Center UMass Memorial Medical Center UMass Memorial Medical Center Valley Pet Resort & Spa Wachusett Mountain Worcester Railers Hockey

Take Eight With Santa Jim Most of the year, kids know him as Jungle Jim, a high-energy children’s entertainer who delights kids with balloons, magic and silliness. But the last few weeks of the year, Jim Manning becomes Santa Claus.

“Santa Jim,” as he’s called, first donned the Big Red Suit when he was in college. Seeing the reaction of the children when he walked in the room, he was inspired. Jim, who helps light up the tree on the Boston Common, takes the role quite seriously. He’s attended three different Santa schools over the years, has taken courses in stand-up comedy, improvisation, professional speaking, voice training and magic. He’s studied many of the popular movie Santas, but says the majority of the training comes from visiting with thousands of children every year.

Photo courtesy Kyle Klein Photography

1. What exactly does a professional Santa do?

The difference between a professional Santa Claus and someone just putting on the suit (never call it a costume!), is the experience. My job is to give everyone a great interaction with Santa Claus, from the shy 3-year-old to the excited kindergarteners to the too-cool-for-school tween who secretly really wants to see St. Nick but doesn’t want to lose his or her street cred with their friends.

Another reason people go with a professional Santa is great pictures.

Photos are so important this day and age. When I first started playing Santa Claus, most film was print (gasp!), but now it’s not uncommon for multiple cameras taking scores of the same photo. Helping families to get that great shot is a critical part of the work.

2. Is there a particular event that you look forward to every year?

A highlight of my Santa season is the tree lighting on the Boston Common.

It’s a real honor to be a part of such a special occasion. Funny story, the first year I participated, Mayor Menino and I were waiting backstage. I asked him if he’d been a good little boy, and he quipped “it’s been a long time since anyone called me a little boy, Santa.”

3. What’s a typical work day or week like during the Christmas season?

I make between 50-60 appearances during the month of December. Some days I only have one or two visits, other days, like Christmas Eve, I may make as many as ten stops. My day starts early and ends late. Mrs. Claus often packs me a cooler of food, and it’s not uncommon for me to be away from home for 2 or 3 days at a time.

4. Do you find children are more excited about meeting Santa, or magic shows?

Definitely Santa Claus! It depends on the age, but the majority of children are more pumped up to see St. Nick.

Magic is amazing, but Santa is a toy maker and bringer of great cheer.

Even Jungle Jim can’t compete with Santa Claus!

5. What do you love most about being Santa?

The best part is when a child meets me for the first time, at an age where they understand who I am. The excitement, the nervousness, the gleeful anticipation of getting to meet the jolly old elf is just a delight. There is a light in their eyes and such positive energy that I am often overwhelmed to be a part of that moment.

6. What are some of the funniest request you’ve heard from a child?

There have been so many! Here’s

a few of my favorite things children have said to me over the years:

7. How do you handle crying kids or children who don’t believe?

One little girl, who’s 2-year-old brother was howling at the time, simply asked me to take her brother back with me to the North Pole.

Crying children are generally uncomfortable and/or anxious. While I do my best to help calm them down, I strongly encourage parents that if their child is really upset, to be sensitive to their feelings and not force them to sit on Santa’s lap or even take a photo. You want positive interactions with Santa Claus, and lay the foundation for positive experiences in future years.

There comes a time in every child’s life where they start to question the existence of Santa. I try to stay on a child’s level and not convince them with words but more by my actions. I want children to understand is Santa Claus represents the good in this world and that in their own way they can be Santa, too.

I asked a little girl what her name was. She said, “Red.” Then she said, “Yellow.” Turns out her name was Samantha.

Harper - 4: “That’s my baby brother, Sebastian. He doesn’t like most people.

He probably won’t like you. See, he’s getting ready to cry.”

The little boy who when I asked if he was excited for Christmas, told me “Just 27 more days Santa Claus. Can you feel it?!”

My favorite request of all time was a 5-year old boy named Vincent. I will never forget Vincent. When we visited, and he was asked what he wanted for Christmas, he handed me a sealed envelope. I tried to get him to mention one or two toys in particular, but Vincent was adamant that he knew I would bring him every single thing on his list. Curiosity got the better of me, so after he left, I opened the envelope, and there, carefully taped to his detailed selection of toys, was a $5 bill.

He tried to bribe Santa Claus. Vincent, you will always have a place in my heart.

8. What are some of the most memorable moments from your years as Mr. Claus?

The poignant moments stand out the most. Every year a few children ask me to bring back a deceased pet or loved one from heaven, and those conversations, while not easy, are important to handle well. I am often with families who are grieving, or experiencing their first Christmas without Grandma or Grandpa, and knowing I am part of some happiness during that difficult time makes me appreciative of my role.

BAYSTATEPARENT 39

40 DECEMBER2018