Charlotte Parent December 2014

December 2014 • Free CharlotteParent.com

GO Retro!

Cool toys kids will LOVE

Create an Old-Fashioned Family Christmas

185 Ways to Celebrate the Season

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

With Grammy-Award Winner Anthony Hamilton

special advertising section

hooray for the holidays

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DECEMBER 2014

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CharlotteParent.com | DECEMBER 2014

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soon to It’s not too g about start thinkin

ps! summer cam

Browse overnight camp options in the

2015 ONLINE

CAMPFAIR charlotteparent.com/camps

ADVERTISERS: Reach parents looking for summer camp options IN PRINT • ONLINE • ON-THE-GO Contact us today: 704-248-5207 or advertising@charlotteparent.com

december 2014 25

features

25 Go Retro for the Holidays

Time-tested toy favorites to put under the tree

29 Have an Old-Fashioned Family Christmas

Holiday traditions that build long-lasting memories

32 R&B Musician Anthony Hamilton Debuts Holiday Album A Q&A with the Grammy-award winning singer and Charlotte dad

special advertising section

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33 Hooray for the Holidays

This month: Places to go and things to do as a family this holiday season

in every issue

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Photo by Maura MacKinnon macphotography9.weebly.com.

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4 from the editor 9 family fyi 12 doc says 14 chalk talk 15 stay-at-home dudes 19 food for thought 20 mother of style 22 growing up 37 getting out 38 daily calendar 48 excursion 51 daddy derek 52 carolina smiles

THE

Big Holiday Giveaway

(WIN $500+ IN PRIZES!) see page 31 for details

CharlotteParent.com | DECEMBER 2014

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FROM THE EDITOR MICHELE HUGGINS

Christmas Memories

GROUP PUBLISHER Sharon Havranek

PUBLISHER/ EXECUTIVE EDITOR Eve White

EDITOR

Michele Huggins

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

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aking peanut butter Hershey Kiss cookies on Christmas Eve, rolling down the windows to hear the music while looking at the twinkling lights of McAdenville, the church Christmas play, tip-toeing at dawn to peek and see if Santa had been by, sausage balls and “Russian” tea after opening presents, followed by an annual Christmas morning drive to Boone to visit my grandmother and cousins — these are just a few of my childhood memories of Christmas. None of them are outrageous I know, but that’s what I like, good memories based on simple traditions.

The holidays can be overwhelming, but it shouldn’t be about survival. Some of the best holiday memories are made at home enjoying the company of family, sitting by a warm fire reading a story, listening to familiar holiday songs. Of course, a trip out to a parade or special performance, and to see Santa has its place in holiday celebrations, but I find the little moments together seem to make the lasting impressions.

This issue is all about celebrating the season and making memories as a family. With that in mind, we put together a story about re-creating an old-fashioned family Christmas on page 29 that offers up ideas for how to make, bake and celebrate, and leave behind the commercial, hustle-and-bustle holidays. It also includes some long-standing Charlotte holiday events worth checking out.

The toy spread on page 25 showcases retro toys that parents may fondly remember, and we think your kids will love too.

Here’s wishing you and yours a relaxed and merry season creating lasting memories, and the start of a wonderful new year.

Mikala Young

ART DIRECTOR Melissa Stutts

DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Susannah Carpenter

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CONTACT US

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2014 Bronze Award Winner Editorial Awards Competition

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what’s new at …

AT HOME WITH KIDS

CHARLOT TEPARENT.COM

Get the latest on home design trends for families, best bets on furniture and some ideas for decking the halls with kids. …/blogs

Pin-spiration:

CINNAMON STICK O R N A M E N TS Make these as a smell-good tie-on for holiday packages and favors, as well as decorations around the house. Pinterest/CharlotteParent

HOLIDAY FUN

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

SANTA’S GRAB BAG

Find out where to see Santa, ideas for make-at-home crafts, the big list of local holiday performances and more.

From enrollment to tuition fees, get the details on the more than 100 private schools in and around Charlotte in our private schools directory.

See what Santa dropped off for us to share. More than $500 of toys and games could be yours!

…/holiday

…/directories

…/holidaygiveaway

Pinterest.com/ CharlotteParent

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Facebook.com/ Cltparent

@CharlotteParent

CONTEST:

H O L I DAYS AT T H E G A R D E N! Decked out with thousands of twinkling lights, exploring Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden’s Holidays at the Garden is a treat for all ages. Win a family four-pack of tickets and a one-year household membership. Contest ends Dec. 14 … / contests

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fyi

FAMILY

Ph

o to

by Pat

ri c k S c h n e i der

‘Learn to Skate’ CLASSES

Holiday Sweet Scenes at the Ritz-Carlton Charlotte.

A Wonderland of Holiday Confections

H

ighlighted by a larger-than-life, often edible, series of seven Holiday Sweet Scenes, a fantasy candy land is brought to life at the Ritz-Carlton uptown.

Featuring the world’s largest pastry tree standing eight feet in edible height; a 12foot tall holiday tree made of 8,000 handcrafted French macaroons; and a whimsical 10-foot tall gingerbread house with its own clock tower, it is a dreamland of sugary confections.

Candy-Land, presented alongside the hotel’s Bar Cocoa Dessert Boutique, provides displays, tastes and demonstrations of creative hot chocolates, flavored

marshmallows, peppermint candy gelato and sweet treats. A few selections make use of natural honey harvested from the two beehives located on the hotel’s vegetated roof.

A hand-sculpted chocolate Santa’s Sleigh led by two giant chocolate reindeer welcome guests in the hotel lobby. The sleigh also serves as a drop-off point for guests to leave teddy bears to be donated to Levine Children’s Hospital. And don’t miss the 17-foot “green” holiday tree constructed of 789 recycled plastic bottles on the outdoor plaza at the College Street exit.

No golden ticket is needed to enter. Holiday Sweet Scenes is open to the public between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily through Dec. 28.

The Ritz-Carlton also presents Holiday Afternoon Tea, Saturdays and Sundays Dec. 6 through 21 between 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. A special children’s tea menu includes mini-sandwiches of Nutella with hazelnuts, and ham and cheese, along with a colorful selection of holiday sweets and cookies.

The annual experience is priced at $35 for adults and $25 for children younger than 12 years of age. To make reservations, call 704547-2244. ritzcarlton.com/ charlotte.

Holiday on Ice and the Pineville Ice House have partnered to offer Learn to Skate classes at the Holiday on Ice outdoor rink uptown at The NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza. Beginner skaters ages 4 to 6 and ages 7 to 12, can sign up for four 30-minute classes, which are offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Details at holidayonicecharlotte.com.

40% The percentage of children who have walked in their sleep at least once, usually between the ages of 2 1/2 and 6.

Source: Parents magazine

CharlotteParent.com | DECEMBER 2014

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fyi : : COMMUNITY

*

good deed: Amelia Wyatt

get real with

Alessandra Ball James Quick stats: dancer with Charlotte Ballet … Family tree: lives with her husband Michael and their 19-monthold son Charles, plus two dogs, Rex and Chance … Favorite indulgence: Junior Mints, and I can never resist a good Kombucha tea … Favorite outing: getting smoothies from Carolina Smoothies and then walking around Freedom Park … Favorite local eats: Pio-Pio … iPod: Bov Iver … Latest read: : “Modern Essentials” about how to use essential oils in everyday life… DVR: “Blacklist … In your bag: extra Emergen-C packets, Boogie Wipes for Charlie, diapers and my favorite lipgloss L’Occitane revitalizing oil blend roll on … Can’t live without: my family, of course … Stress buster: online shopping.

Amazon one-click gets me in trouble!

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After Cannon School eighth-grader Amelia Wyatt took a vacation to Costa Rica with her family five years ago, they felt compelled to start One

by One, a nonprofit which establishes soccer leagues for underprivileged teenagers. This experience led Amelia to become involved with the recently introduced La Escuelita, a bilingual preschool program at Cornelius Presbyterian Church that helps Spanish-speaking preschool students transition to kindergarten. Amelia, along with several other Cannon students, are selling sweets and handmade goodies at Christmas in Davidson on Dec. 4, 5 and 6, with funds going to the new preschool.

Amelia is also currently working on publishing two children’s books, with proceeds also helping fund the school. “Knowing that La Escuelita is giving the most powerful gift, learning, to the children of my community makes me very happy,” says Amelia.

Eighth-grader Amelia Wyatt is helping raise money to support La Escuelita, a bilingual preschool program that Spanishspeaking children transition to kindergarten.

Holiday Treats Week Start a new family tradition baking gifts together during Treat Week, Dec. 1-5, at The City Kitch.

Mom, Dad and children 8 and older can learn how to make candies, cookies and other baked treats, as well as perfect packaging and presentation techniques for the holidays.

Save $10 on registration by using promo code TCKParent. Register by calling 704-499-3046 or at thecitykitch.com.

Caring Santa Children with special needs can share their wish lists with Santa at a special sensory-friendly event at SouthPark mall’s center court Dec. 7, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Adjustments will be made to support sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children. Entry is through the West Plaza between The Container Store and California Pizza Kitchen. Registration required. simon.com/caringsanta.

CharlotteParent.com | DECEMBER 2014

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fyi : : WELLNESS

Growing Pains: Are They Real?

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n pediatrics, growing pains are a common diagnosis for complaints of non-specific aches and pains. Despite how common growing pains are, the medical community has not discovered a cause. What science has taught us, DOC SAYS however, is that the pain is real, and the majority of the

BY DR. RACHEL FOURNET time growing pains do not indicate something ominous.

AND DR. SHIVANI MEHTA Contrary to the age-old name, growing pains are not actually a result of growth. Even at the peak of a growth spurt, the rate of bone growth is still too slow to cause significant pain. One theory is that the aches are caused by overwork during exercise or playtime.

The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that approximately 10 percent of healthy children complain of intermittent pains during childhood, and many times those complaints center around pain in the calf or thigh muscles, usually on both sides of the body. These pains tend to last for 10 to 30 minutes and are more common around bedtime or after a few hours of sleep because that is when all of the fun distractions are gone, and the aches and pains become more obvious.

To help lessen a child’s aches and pains, try to have your child take periodic breaks during vigorous play or exercise. Encourage a variety of sports and activities in order to not overwork the same muscle groups. Before bed, a warm bath helps to relax muscle tension. If your child complains of growing pains, gently massage the painful areas and try a dose of Children’s Tylenol or Motrin. If you think there may have been an injury, try R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression and elevation) therapy.

If your child shows signs of severe pain, has a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, is limping for more than 24 hours, or has swelling for more than 24 hours despite rest, ice, compression and elevation therapy, call your physician. Other reasons to call the doctor, include when a muscle or bone looks or feels abnormal; skin is red, warm, tender, or oozing; urine is dark or looks like cola or tea; and if a child is having night sweats, weight loss, fever for more than five days or increased sleepiness.

Dr. Rachael Fournet is a pediatric resident at Levine Children’s Hospital of Carolinas HealthCare System, and Dr. Shivani Mehta is a board-certified pediatrician at CHS Myers Park Pediatrics.

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The Centers for Disease Control report many teenagers don’t eat breakfast, which may lead to weight gain overtime. A study found when teens ate breakfast, it raised levels of a chemical in the brain’s reward center that helped them stop craving sweet foods.

Four minutes of physical activity can improve behavior in the classroom for elementary school students. In a recent study, students were taught a lesson and then given either an active or a non-active break. The students who were active showed better behavior than the ones who took a non-active break.

Doctors at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center have developed a visual therapy where ADHD patients use their brain to control a spaceship on a screen. When they become unfocused, the spaceship starts to fly off course and will not right itself until focus is regained. Experts say this could be a permanent cure for ADHD and a way to train the brain to focus through repetition, similar to muscle memory in athletes.

CharlotteParent.com | DECEMBER 2014

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fyi : : EDUCATION

School News In cooperation with Quest Institute, a team of 10 students from Carmel Christian Upper School are conceptualizing, designing, building, testing and delivering a microlab experiment that measures the effects of microgravity on a ferrofluid for the International Space Station.

Their experiment will be launched in April 2015.

Is my Child Ready for Kindergarten?

App Alert: Tiggly Chef By helping Chef add ingredients to make some wacky recipes like the Blushing Radish Hootenanny, preschoolers learn early addition and number concepts, as well as following directions and sequencing for a recipe. iOS 5.0 or later, Free.

Tip Create a homework space in your house that has a clutter-free tabletop and is without a lot of distractions.

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lmost every research study on the age of entry to school

CHALK TALK

BY MARGE EBERTS AND PEGGY GISLER

concludes that the youngest children in kindergarten classes usually do not do as well as the oldest children.

There is disagreement about how long the effects of being youngest last. Many researchers feel that by third grade the differences due to age disappear. On the other hand, other researchers found that some slight academic difficulties continue throughout the elementary years. Each child, however is different, and just because statistics seem to support older children doing better in

CharlotteParent.com

kindergarten, many younger children are extremely successful in school.

When children are ready for kindergarten, their first encounter with school is likely to lead to future success in school. Children who are only marginally ready may or may not be able to catch up with their readier classmates before the start of first grade.

The issue for you is readiness more than age. You may find it helpful to consult with your child’s preschool teacher, pediatrician and others who know the child well in order to evaluate his readiness. It is also a good idea to look at your school district’s kindergarten readiness checklist. Some of

the developmental skills a child needs before entering kindergarten include the ability to sit still and pay attention for short periods of time, speak understandably, manage bathroom needs, follow directions and be able to share with others.

In the end, your own opinion is the most important, because you are the one who knows your child best. If you have very strong doubts about your child’s readiness for a particular kindergarten program, the child probably is not ready.

Marge Eberts and Peggy Gisler are experienced teachers with more than 60 educational publications to their credit.

LIFE

Happy Holidays to all ... Except one

D

uring this wonderful time of year, full of good tidings and joy, I’m constantly reminded of one overriding thought: Man, I really, really hate Google.

It’s not that I’ve got a hate on for the world’s STAY-AT-HOME DUDE numberBY RICHARD E.D. JONES one-ranked Internet search engine. Google’s problem, as I see it, is it allows my three sons to start Googling names and places and trying to discover connections. Yes, I know. That’s the whole point of Google.

But it’s my boys, see? And for as long as I can remember, I’ve received presents “from” obscure pieces of trivia. If I understood the trivia, I could figure out what was beneath all the wrapping paper. Unlike my sister,

who became frighteningly skilled at removing and restoring the colorful paper, I preferred to match wits with my dad. I didn’t win often, but, when I did, it was cause for celebration.

When it came time for me to assist Santa in the delivery of presents, I gloried in giving the trivia hints. And things went oh, so wonderfully, right up until the day my middle son picked up a present, read who it was “from,” put it down, picked it up, spelled out the words, then raced upstairs into the Creature Cave. His victory scream sounded like the death knell of an era to me. I knew immediately what had happened. His brothers, not so much until he explained, then they all vanished upstairs to begin Googling the names on their presents.

Don’t cry for me, Argentina.

::

fyi

I mean, I still get a bit sneaky, but now we’re talking references so obscure they don’t even show up on Google. Which means, so obscure, I sometimes forget why I put that name there.

But still ... still ... If I had only one wish for this time of year, it would be for Google to cease to exist, if only long enough to truly enjoy a contest of sneakiness versus youth, meanness versus inexperience.

Sigh. Happy holidays, everyone ... except you, Google, everyone except you.

Richard E.D. Jones is co-author of the book “A Dude’s Guide to Babies: The New Dad’s Playbook.” Read more from Richard on his Stay-at-Home Dude blog at CharlotteParent.com/blogs.

CharlotteParent.com | DECEMBER 2014

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fyi : : LIFE

TOP 5 Holiday Dangers to Pets 1. Holiday tinsel and ornaments 2. Holiday lighting and candles

Parenting Toolbox:

Best Holiday Manners The holiday season is filled with social gatherings where manners and social graces are especially appreciated. Aimee Symington, Charlotte-based etiquette expert and creator of the game on manners “Blunders,” offers these four tips to help your family handle social situations with ease.

1.

Use cell phones and social media wisely. During a meal, put your cell phone on vibrate and put it away someplace other than on the table. If talking to someone in person, don’t answer a text or phone call while in the middle of a conversation.

And do not post pictures or video on social media that might embarrass someone or make them feel bad.

2.

Remember polite table manners. Be patient and wait for everyone to sit down at the table before digging in. No burping or chewing with mouths open, and no cell phones at the table. Also remember to put your napkin in your lap and to pass food to the right.

3.

Make a good impression. Children and adults can make a great impression when they greet others with a firm handshake, smile, make eye contact, and say their full name followed by “It’s nice to meet you.”

4.

Show gratitude. Send a hand-written thank-you note for gifts you receive, and encourage children to write their own thank-you notes. Show appreciation to teachers, bus drivers, and the garbage collector by giving them a small gift, something homemade, or a personalized card. Take this opportunity to give back to others in need and encourage your children to get involved as well.

3. Gift-wrap ribbon 4. Food hazards, including chocolate, bones and nuts 5. Toxic holiday plants Source: petinsurance.com

R i n g e r To s s p h o t o c o u r t e s y o f To d d A d a m s . t o d d a d a m s p h o t o g ra p h y. co m

choices ... HOLIDAY BOOKS FOR KIDS

A clever twist on “The Night Before Christmas,” “A Cookie for Santa” follows a gingerbread boy, baked especially for Santa’s nighttime snack, who worries about his fate, but instead finds himself helping save Christmas from two rambunctious puppies. $15.99. sleepingbearpress.com.

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“Skippyjon Jones Snow What” follows the fearless Skippito Friskito as he heads out for a snowy, magical forest adventure with his seven “chimichango” dog pals to wake up Nieve Que, the frozen princess. $17.99. penguin.com.

“The Spirit of Christmas: A Giving Tradition” is a kind-hearted story of how one little boy receives an extraordinary giving bag from Santa, and how wishes can come true. $24.99. parkroadbooks.com.

CharlotteParent.com | DECEMBER 2014

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fyi : : LIFE

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

BY HEIDI BILLOTTO

Chocolate Peppermint Crème Brulee

N

othing is more fun than a bite-sized dessert, and this one is just perfect for the holiday season. Find cute little holiday glasses about the size of a paper Dixie cup or use a clear glass votive candleholder. Find small plastic spoons at local party stores and you’ll be set to serve.

If you want to mix up flavors a bit, feel free to change the toppings from crushed peppermint to crushed peanuts or pistachios, bits of crushed caramel brickle or a dusting of toasted coconut.

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup milk • 2 tablespoons vanilla • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips • 10 egg yolks

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• 3/4 cup sugar • 3 cups heavy cream • 1 cup crushed peppermint candies

Warm the milk and vanilla. Add the chocolate chips a few at a time and stir until chocolate is melted. In another bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until light in color and fluffy in texture. Add the chocolate milk mixture and stir until smooth. Stir in the cream.

Ladle the mixture into a 9-inch square glass or ceramic baking pan. Bake for 45 minutes in a preheated 300-degree oven. Cool.

Pipe or spoon the mix into small cups. Chill until you are ready to serve. Top with a sprinkling of crushed peppermint candy dust (or peanuts, pistachios or caramel brickle) just before serving.

Heidi Billotto is a culinary expert who hosts cooking classes throughout the Charlotte area. Find more at heidibillottofood.com.

CharlotteParent.com | DECEMBER 2014

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fyi : : LIFE

MOTHER OF STYLE »»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» BY WHITLEY ADKINS HAMLIN Photo courtesy of Donna Jernigan. momentsbydonna.com

Wonder Woman raglan, $42. Laugh, Dream, Dance T-shirt, $40. junkfoodclothing.com.

Doloris Petunia friendship bracelet, $35, delorispetunia.com.

Friendship Forever

Lucky Magazine says: “If June Carter Cash, Tony Duquette and Tom Binns had a baby, the result would be these crazy-lavish friendship bracelets from Doloris Petunia. They’re unlike anything we’ve seen and all one-of-a-kind too” $35, delorispetunia.com 

Cool Stocking Stuffers for the Family If you are that gift giver always on the hunt for something totally unique, whether you are shopping for a little boy or girl, your husband or wife (or yourself!), we’ve got you covered with this holiday stocking stuffer gift guide for the entire family.

Socks can be fun

Boasting bright colors and fun patterns, Living Royal’s super cool and quirky patterned socks for adults and kids are all the rage. $8, frankiesonthepark.com. 

Cool Ts for boys and girls. From Star Wars and Marvel Comics to hearts,

fuzzy animals and sparkle, these current and vintage-looking Ts your children will love, and yes, you might be caught trying to wear. Wonder Woman raglan, $42. Laugh, Dream, Dance T-shirt, $40. junkfoodclothing.com.

Practical style for Mom. For the multitasking mama on the go, practicality

and fashion come together this season with Nic + Zoe’s colorful, mid-length gloves designed with the ability to use a touch screen smart phone or tablet.

Offered in three mixes of color blocking. $78, nickandzoe.com.

For dearest Dad. TOKYObay Obi Watch Roll is a hand-crafted, Italian leather

case that can be used to store up to six watches. Made in San Francisco, this case has been designed to hold wrist watches and pocket watches, and then rolls up for easy transport. Obi Watch Roll; $90, tokyobayinc.com.

Whitley Adkins Hamlin is a local stylist and mom to two boys under age 5. Read her Mother of Style blog at CharlotteParent.com/blogs.

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Living Royal socks, $8, frankiesonthepark.com.

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fyi : : LIFE

Growing Up: Happy Healthy Hygiene

W

hen prospective parents dream of their future brood, they usually picture children who are freshly bathed, rosy cheeked, perfectly coiffed tots wearing color-coordinated GROWING UP — and clean —outfits. Sadly,

BY MALIA JACOBSON this vista is as fleeting as the “new baby” scent, because real kids are messy, dirt loving, and generally unconcerned with cleanliness. Parents can teach kids to clean up, and should. Basic hygiene skills are essential building blocks of healthy living and can even support academic success, according to studies linking hand-washing to better school attendance. Read on for age-specific ways to help kids learn to love cleaning up.

Malia Jacobson is an award-winning health and parenting journalist and mom of three.

2-5 years

MAKE IT FUN

Toddlerhood is the time to start teaching healthy habits, says Dr. Danelle Fisher, vice chair of pediatrics at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. Kids can start learning to manage hygiene basics like hand-washing and tooth-brushing as early as age 2, Fisher says, but parents should remember that mastering these skills can take years.

Keep hygiene fun by giving toddlers and preschoolers the independence they crave. Let kids pick out their own hand soap and toothpaste, provide a stepstool at the sink, and allow your child to at least attempt the task before swooping in to finish it yourself. Remember to allow enough time for these tasks, too; young children can easily take several minutes to complete a task an adult could accomplish in seconds. Use a “tooth-brushing song” or small timer to gauge how long kids should brush and give simple explanations (“Soap helps wash germs down the drain!”) to foster learning and cooperation.

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6-12 years

SICK DAZE

Cold and flu bugs are common when kids start school, but too many sick days hurt school performance. Missing school days in grades three and five impacts student grades through grade nine, according to recent study out of Australia. What’s more, the report shows that attendance patterns in grade one set the stage for the rest of a student’s academic career.

Good hygiene (in particular, proper hand-washing) can help minimize sick days that hurt school success, but kids aren’t always cooperative when it comes to cleanliness, says certified parent coach Amy Werner of Raleigh. “It’s not unusual for school-aged children to go through a phase where their personal hygiene is just not important,” Werner says. “They may skip baths, lie about having bathed, or speed though the routines.” Parents should set clear guidelines and expectations for hygiene, treating it just like chores, homework, or any other responsibility. Post a hygiene checklist to serve as a visual cue until good hygiene becomes a habit.

SWEET SMELL 13-18 OF SUCCESS years

Tweens and teens are responsible for their own personal hygiene, but you may have a more stringent definition of clean than your teen. Here’s an area where peer pressure can be positive, says Fisher.

“Teens are usually interested in what their peers do and how they act. Ask them to ask their friends about how often they bathe, wash hair, trim nails, and brush and floss.”

Teens love picking out their own self-care products and may be more inclined to use the ones they select.

Parents shouldn’t shame or embarrass a hygiene-challenged teen, though. Gentle prodding —“Did you remember to use soap?”— can deliver a much-needed hint without sparking a hygiene feud. Books can provide needed guidance, too. Check out “The Guy Book: An Owner’s Manual: Maintenance, Safety, and Operating Instructions for Boys” by Mavis Jukes or “The Care and Keeping of You” in the American Girl series.

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HAVE AN

Old-Fashioned Family Christmas

BY SARA KENDALL

The overly commercialized view on Christmas is exhausting. Unplug your family this holiday season with some old-fashioned Christmas traditions. By doing things together as a family, you create annual traditions while building long-lasting memories.

Christmas Tree Trek In 1901, the first Christmas tree farm was planted near Trenton, New Jersey.

Today, there are about 12,000 growers in the US producing approximately 35,000,000 trees annually. North Carolina has 1,600 growers, so there are plenty of farms for North Carolinians to make their tree selection.

Whisk your family up into the Blue Ridge Mountains for a day’s adventure of finding the perfect Christmas tree.

From Alleghany to Yancey County, Christmas tree farms can be found offering a wide selection of sizes and tree species.

Don’t come just for a Christmas tree, make a day of it. At some of the farms, a variety of family-friendly activities await, from going on a hayride, riding a horse, to making holiday crafts. Warm hot chocolate is often a key ingredient after braving the cold in search of a tree, and many farms have piping hot cocoa ready for chilly kids and adults. This magical journey could easily become an annual memory-making tradition.

DIY Tree Trimming Before glass and manufactured ornaments existed, early Americans decorated holiday trees with homemade ornaments and items collected from outside, such as berries, fruit and popcorn. Using a needle, thread, popcorn, fresh cranberries and dehydrated orange slices, your family can create a colorful, old-fashioned garland for your tree. Popcorn is the

most fragile part of the garland, so when stringing popcorn, make sure the needle goes through the center of each popcorn kennel. If not, popcorn tends to split and fall apart. The cranberries and orange slices aren’t quite as delicate making them easier to string.

Kids can have a great time making salt dough ornaments, too, and they are fun keepsakes to look back on in years to come. (See our salt dough recipe on CharlotteParent.com/holiday).

Children can use their individual creativity painting and decorating the ornaments, which will be a fun reminder of their childhood when they are older.

Wrap it up Gift-wrapping came about in 1917.

Rope, twine, strings, and sealing wax were used to hold the paper together, as well as twigs of greenery and berries making the presentation a gift as much CharlotteParent.com | DECEMBER 2014

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as what was inside the wrapping.

Continue the wrapping tradition and make specially selected gifts even more special by designing your own holiday-inspired wrapping paper.

Purchase rolls of white paper and gift bags at your local craft store, or consider recycling brown grocery bags that can be festively adorned. Using festive stamps and red or green ink or finger paint, young children can decorate the white paper. Christmas cookie cutters or potato slices cut into fun shapes dipped in non-toxic paint and pressed on a gift bag are other easy ways for kids to join in on the fun.

Merrily Caroling As neighborhoods grow and streets are busier, this once treasured tradition has all but vanished. Along with her neighbors, Lareina Welch, mom of two young children who lives in Tega Cay, has re-ignited an annual tradition of caroling. Her family, along with their neighbor, spreads Christmas cheer throughout a senior friend’s neighborhood. The kids in the singing group don Christmas-themed costumes, such as candy canes and snowmen. This tradition is a rewarding one, bringing smiles to the faces of those being serenaded, as well as those walking to houses singing holiday songs. It’s a tradition Welch enjoys with her family, and it teaches the spirit of giving back into the community.

Cookies and Milk Since the 1930s, American children have left cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve. The cookies are often cut into such shapes as those of candy canes, reindeer, and holly leaves.

Instead of going store-bought, bake and decorate with the kids. Be prepared for the messes and mistakes from flour spills, sprinkle dumps to icing-covered faces, but remember it’s all a part of the fun. You are creating a holiday memory, and the sampling of the creations is the immediate bonus for everyone.

Special Songs and Stories Holiday music is something generations before and after can share and enjoy. Choose an album your family loves and push play for sounds that kids will remember for years to come.

For Melissa McAtee’s family a certain Christmas song takes on a whole new meaning.

McAtee’s great aunt, Nadine McKinnon co-wrote “This Christmas.”

The McAtee family is honored to have this famous song as a part of their family’s Christmas. And McAtee’s grandmother is a second cousin of Nat King Cole. Her family plays “The Christmas Song” album throughout Christmas Eve while dining on their Christmas Eve dinner and ending the night by opening one present.

Years ago, Welch’s mom, Wendy Bartlett started a family tradition of reading “The Night Before Christmas” on Christmas Eve. It all started by gathering her kids before bedtime and reading this traditional Christmas story. The tradition didn’t stop when Bartlett’s children were grown and lived in different parts of the country. With the advancement of technology, now she uses Skype or Face Time as a way to keep this family tradition alive. “It felt silly as a teenager, but not now with my two young children who love to take part in this tradition,” Welch says.

Establishing a few traditions will make your holiday special in your family’s own way. May your every Christmas be filled with continuing family traditions that will live on for generations to come.

Sara Kendall is a freelance writer who lives in Charlotte with her husband and two daughters.

Three generations of Lareina Welch’s family read “The Night Before Christmas” together.

Photo by: PhotographyByLarisa.com

Time-Honored Charlotte-area Holiday Events Each year for 60 years, Carolina Voices Main Stage Choir presents The Singing Christmas Tree. The 32-foot tall rotating Christmas tree that holds up to 100 singers captivates audiences. The Singing Christmas Tree for KIDS show includes the tree of singers, as well as spectacular performances of music, song, dance, puppetry and comedy. The one-hour show is ideal for children ages 3 to 10.

Each December, McAdenville, a small town just outside of Charlotte, transforms into Christmas Town USA. The town of McAdenville puts up more than 500,000 lights, and most residents join in decorating their homes as well. Drive through Christmas Town USA for a dazzling, free light display – worthy of making it an annual pilgrimage.

Uptown Charlotte draws many theatergoers to see The Nutcracker at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.

More than 100 performers and live music from the Charlotte Symphony entertain spectators at Charlotte Ballet’s familyfavorite holiday performance.

SEE MORE HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS ON PAGE 44.

g i B

win gifts from: ...and other local businesses!

GIVEAWAY D E C E M B E R 5 - 16

Enter to win an assortment of amazing prizes, including Santa’s Grab Bag — full of toys, games, books and DVDs — a $500 value!

charlotteparent.com/holidaygiveaway CharlotteParent.com | DECEMBER 2014

31

R&B MUSICIAN

Anthony Hamilton D e b u t s Ho l i d a y A l b u m

Grammy-award winning singer Anthony Hamilton knows a thing or two about making music, but he also is skilled in the art of being a parent. Hamilton has six children ranging in ages from 2 to 26. He grew up in Charlotte and attended South Mecklenburg and Harding high schools before embarking on his music career, and he currently calls Charlotte home. His newly released holiday album “Home for the Holidays,” ($7.99, anthonyhamilton.com) puts a soulful twist on holiday favorites, mixed with some originals by Hamilton. The album features Chaka Khan, Gavin DeGraw and singer-songwriter maven ZZ Ward. We caught up with Hamilton to ask him about life as a recognized musician, being a dad and his favorite things about the holidays.

You have six children?

Yes, I have Anthony, 26; Romeiro, 23; Tristen, 17; twins Nolan and Eric just turned 4; and Princeton is 2.

What’s it like to be a parent to children in all different ages and stages?

I get to see all the different personalities that different ages bring.

Is it difficult?

It’s not too difficult because I’m singing. So, I can be coming in at anytime and I have the older brother who’s like “alright,” who will step up and step in. It takes a village to raise kids, so I got my own village.

How do your kids feel about your fame and having a famous father?

They don’t care. They don’t really care at all. Some days it’s cool, some days I get on their nerves, they just want me to be daddy. They don’t want [anybody] bothering me when we go somewhere together, but now I think that they know that they are No. 1 and that [my

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career] is not going to take anything away from them.

What are the three most important values you try to instill in your children?

Christianity. I’m a Christian, so I instill the love of Christ and to be good to people. Honesty! Being considerate. Yeah, being considerate of other people.

Are any of your children following in your musical footsteps?

Nolan sings All. Day. Long. He won’t stop, and he has a good voice. My older son, Anthony, does techno trance and dub step music, that kind of stuff.

So a little bit different from your soul influence?

Yeah, and my 17-year-old said the other day, “I’m starting to dabble with music dad.”

How do you feel about them following in those footsteps, are you worried or do you encourage it?

I encourage them to be great in whatever it is. If it is making a hamburger, it better be the best hamburger you ever made.

Clockwise from top left: Hamilton with all six of his sons; the album cover for “Home for the Holidays”; and inside the recording studio. Photos of family by Everyday Lavan Photography

What are some of the things you like most about Charlotte, both new and old?

The old stuff I like about Charlotte — the family aspect of it. It used to be open and very family oriented. That’s what made me fall in love with coming back home.

The new stuff — people are more open-minded and it’s more like a city, opposed to a small town.

What was your inspiration for the “Home for the Holidays” album?

To bring back that feeling I had when I was a kid; to feel good and relaxed during Christmas time, a feeling that I’ll never forget.

Do you have a favorite song on the album?

“Home for the Holidays” is one of my favorite songs.

That’s a very beautiful song.

Does your family have any holiday traditions that you are looking forward to?

Eating until you drop!

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

FOR THE

Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker The magic of the season comes to life at Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker.

Bring your friends and family to Belk Theater December 12-23.

Nutcracker, a holiday tradition presented by Wells-Fargo, features more than100 dancers including the nationally acclaimed professional dancers of Charlotte Ballet and live music by Charlotte Symphony. Create your own family tradition — hurry and purchase your tickets today! $25-$95.

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service A child-friendly service rich in music and the spirit of Christmas. Every child receives a small gift. A nursery will

Belk Theater | 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000 | charlotteballet.org

be available for the smallest among us if needed, although we love to have children with us. Come celebrate the meaning of Christmas. We conclude with candlelight and “Silent Night”. We begin at 6:30 p.m. Free.

The Vine 2101 Belvedere Ave. 704-334-7348 thevinecharlotte.com

photo credit: Jeff Cravotta

Holidays at Northlake Mall Ice Palace: Nov. 6-Dec. 24 Take pictures with Santa, play in the snow and have a cold seat at the Ice Throne. Join us for the best holiday experience in Charlotte!

MallStars Noon Year’s Eve: Dec. 31, 10:30 a.m.

Join us for fun, games, crafts and a special balloon drop at noon to celebrate the New Year.

Northlake Mall | 6801 Northlake Mall Drive 704-921-2000 | shopnorthlake.com

Cookies and Cocoa With Santa This is a chance of a lifetime for little ones to spend some holiday quality time with the jolly guy himself. Garden elves will be on hand to help children create a special gift for someone on their list. Plus they will enjoy cookies and cocoa, and Mrs. Claus will lead a sing-a-long. $30.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont 704-825-4490 dsbg.org

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Polar Express in 4D!

Santa Saturdays at Blacklion Bring the kids to meet Santa at BLACKLION’S Holiday Wonderland in South Charlotte! Santa arrives each Saturday at 1p.m. by fire truck. Walk through Santa’s Holiday House filled with Christmas trees, singing bears, reindeer portraits and Mrs. Claus’ kitchen ... the kids will love it and so will you!

You’re invited on an extraordinary 4-D adventure this holiday season on THE POLAR EXPRESS, showing at the South Carolina State Museum. Opens Nov. 8 and runs through Jan. 4, 2015. Fun for the whole family to enjoy. Fees include general admission and special pricing for shows.

South Carolina State Museum 301 Gervais St., Columbia, S.C. 803-898-4953 | scmuseum.org

Blacklion South Charlotte 10635 Park Road 704-541-1148 | blacklion.com

StrikeCity Holidays StrikeCity is your holiday headquarters. With a little something to do for everyone, spare the boring parties, you can’t go wrong booking here. Whether it is a family get-together or a corporate party, StrikeCity has packages, offers and unbeatable amenities just for you. Ages 4+.

Contact Carey Hurley at 704716-9300 or churley@ strikecitycharlotte.com for more information.

Krueger Reindeer Romp 5K Join the Harris YMCA Dec. 13 for our third annual holiday race. Fun for the entire family, the 5K Run/Walk begins at 8 a.m.; and for our younger runners, Santa’s Express Fun Run begins at 8:45 a.m. Hot chocolate and food at the finish line, pictures with Santa and prizes for best costume. Register online: racesonline.com. Ages 5+.

Harris YMCA 5900 Quail Hollow Road 704-716-6800 ymcacharlotte.org/harris

StrikeCity 210 E. Trade St. 704-716-9300 strikecitycharlotte.com

Clara’s Trip: A Nutcracker Story

The Singing Christmas Tree for KIDS Saturday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Grab a seat on the Polar Express and get into the spirit of the season with Carolina Voices’ family-friendly holiday show!

Rousing sing-a-longs, a singing “tree”, The Grey Seal Puppets, amazing dancers and, of course, a visit from good old St. Nick make this show an annual favorite! $10$20. Ages 3-10.

Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E Independence Blvd.

704-374-1564 carolinavoices.org

Dec. 12, 7 p.m. | Dec. 13, 2 and 7 p.m.

Clara LeBlanc trips at a holiday party and breaks her ankle dancing. That night her friends and get-well gifts swirl in her dreams. This show is the perfect family event during the holiday season. $20-$55.

Recommended for a ages 6+.

Caroline Calouche & Co. Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-844-0449 carolinecalouche.org

Extreme Ice Center Give the gift of skating this holiday! Winter Camp begins Nov. 28. When you purchase three days of camp, get $10 off of your total when you mention Charlotte Parent Magazine! We will also be holding our Holiday Party on Dec. 20. full of skating, games, prizes and fun! Happy Holidays from XIC! 4705 Indian Trail-Fairview Road, Indian Trail 704-882-1830 xicenter.com

Kannapolis Christmas Celebrate the Christmas spirit all month long in Kannapolis with the Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express. The Celebration happens at Village Park nightly from Nov. 29-Dec. 30. Walk through the park or ride the Winterland Express train. Enjoy the many festive light displays and see if you can find all 12 Days of Christmas! Most events are free.

700 W. C Street, Kannapolis 704-920-4343 kannapolischristmas.com

CharlotteParent.com | DECEMBER 2014

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G O! ETTING UT

COMPILED BY MIKALA YOUNG

December 2014 go. see. play.

5

Introduce children to the classic Christmas tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the spirits who help him to overcome a cold-heart at the holidays at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s musical extravaganza Scrooge!. Members of the cast will be available for pictures after this openingnight performance. Weekend performances through Dec. 22.

Tickets start at $12. See page 40 for more dates and times.

Children’s Theatre of Charlotte 300 E. 7th St. 704-973-2828 ctcharlotte.org

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Carolinas Aviation Museum 4672 First Flight Drive 704-997-3770 carolinasaviation.org

SouthPark Mall, Circle Court 4400 Sharon Road 704-295-0975 simon.com

Latta Plantation Nature Center 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville 704-875-1391 parkandrec.com

Santa is flying in for the holidays at the Visit With Santa event at Carolinas Aviation Museum via a temporary sleigh — a red and white Cessna aircraft. Find him set up for photos and ready to hear wish lists. Enjoy cookies and a fun holiday craft, as well as an opportunity to sit in the pilot’s seat of a plane. Bring a camera for a photo-op with Santa. 1:30-3:30 p.m. $8-$12, includes museum admission.

Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah at an observance of the Menorah Lighting ceremony. A menorah care procession from Lubavitch Education Center precedes the lighting of the new giant menorah following an array of family-oriented activities spearheaded by the Jewish Preschool. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free.

Enjoy the changing of the season marked by the shortest day and longest night of the year at On a Winter’s Solstice. Enjoy hot chocolate and watch the sunset over Mountain Island Lake, then bundle up around the fireplace to hear history and folklore about the winter solstice. 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Free.

CharlotteParent.com | DECEMBER 2014

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1 MONDAY Christmas Town Festival. Watch the tree-lighting ceremony and see Santa. Free. 4:30-9pm. Legacy Park, Elm Street, McAdenville. 704-824-3551. mcadenville-christmastown.com.

2 TUESDAY

Children can shop for family and friends with the help of a volunteer elf at Santa’s Bag at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Dec. 3-6.

Santa’s Bag:

BY MEGAN FINKE

R

eady for a break from holiday shopping? Give your kids a turn.

Santa’s Bag is a unique shopping experience that gives children ages 3-12 the opportunity to select gifts for their family and friends without emptying their whole piggy bank.

A holiday tradition that started 42 years ago at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Santa’s Bag now hosts more than 1,500 young shoppers each year who are paired with an elf who takes each child through the shop to find a special present for everyone on their list. Gifts may include a necklace for mom, a fun pen for dad, and small toys for siblings and friends. Last year 15,000 presents were wrapped and sold.

The event is a community service effort led by the theater’s ENCORE! volunteers.

Preparation begins in the summer, and more than 300 volunteers take part to make this magical holiday experience. The week of the event, adults and high-school student volunteers dress in red and green to transform themselves into the elves that each child is paired with for the shopping experience.

All gifts are pre-wrapped and priced between 50 cents and $5. Children are encouraged to bring a list with them and share their budget with the shopping elf.

Santa is also there to keep watch over his friendly helpers and take pictures with children passing through, so remember to bring a camera.

Santa’s Bag takes place at ImaginOn, 300 E. 7th Street. Shopping is open to the public Dec. 3-5, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 7 p.m.; and Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

It is free to attend, but bring cash or check to purchase gifts. All money raised helps support Children’s Theatre of Charlotte programming.

A Holiday Shopping Tradition for Kids

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Belmont Christmas Parade. See the floats, bands and other entries. Free. 4pm. Downtown Belmont. 704-825-5586. cityofbelmont.org.

Community Service: Book Repair. Help the community by fixing up old books and bringing them back to life for continued use. Ages 12-18. Free. 5pm. Mountain Island Library, 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way. 704-416-5600. cmlibrary.org.

Creating with Books. Listen to stories and extend learning by making a snow-themed craft. Ages 5-11. Free. 5pm.

Scaleybark Library, 101 Scaleybark Road. 704-416-6400. cmlibrary.org.

Latta Homeschoolers: Geocaching Adventure Race.

Search for geocaches while competing to beat another team. Ages 9-13. $8. 1-3pm. Latta Plantation Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-1391. parkandrec.com.

Preschool Storytime: Listen and Move. Participate in stories, songs and movement activities that build both gross and fine motor skills. Ages 3-5. Free. 10:15am. West Boulevard Library, 2157 West Blvd. 704-416-7400. cmlibrary.org.

3 WEDNESDAY Meet the Author: ABC Charlotte. Meet the authors of the local children’s book “ABC Charlotte.” Ages 3 and up. Free.

4pm. Morrison Regional Library, 7015 Morrison Blvd. 704-4165400. cmlibrary.org.

Mount Holly Christmas Parade. Parade floats, bands and jolly ‘ole Saint Nick. Free. 4pm. Downtown Mount Holly, Mount Holly. 704-827-3931. mtholly.us.

4 THURSDAY Christmas in Cramerton. Enjoy arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, kids activities, live music and the tree lighting. Free.

2-6pm. Cramerton Town Center, 8th Avenue, Cramerton.

704-824-4231. cramerton.org.

Elves in the Shelves. Join the merry elves for holiday music

by Dale Brook, the Magikal Minstrel, participate in children’s crafts and see an appearance by the Elf on the Shelf. Free.

4-6pm. York County Library, 138 E. Black St., Rock Hill, S.C. 803-981-5858. yclibrary.org.

Fort Mill Tree Lighting. Annual event to light up the town with help from Fort Mill Elementary School singers. Free. 7pm.

Confederate Park, Main Street, Fort Mill, S.C. 803-547-2116. fortmillsc.org.

daily calendar Monroe Christmas Parade. Enjoy tree-lit streets, bands, Christmas carols and a visit from Santa. The theme this year is “All American Christmas,” celebrating men and women who serve our country. Free. 6:30pm.

Downtown Monroe. 770-266-5331. monroedowntown.com.

Preschool Storytime: For Me, for You, for Later. Learn how people, things and money have value. Free.

11:15am. Mountain Island Library, 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way. 704-416-5600. cmlibrary.org.

On Stage: Magic of Christmas.

See page 40.

Rock Hill in the Light the Night parade. Free. 6:30-9pm. Winthrop to Downtown Rock Hill. 803-325-2500. cityofrockhill.com.

Uptown Tree Lighting at Founders Hall. Enjoy an evening of holiday cheer with energetic entertainment.

Free. 6:30-8:30pm. Founders Hall, Corner of Trade and Tryon streets. 704332-2227. charlottecentercity.org.

On Stage: A Christmas Carol; Gaston Day School Presents: The Nutcracker; Magic of Christmas; RENT: School Edition; Scrooge!; The Real Christmas Story.

See page 40.

5 FRIDAY

6 SATURDAY

Britax Car Seat Checks. Have a certified child passenger safety technician assist you with your car seat installation. Learn the correct way to install your child’s seat and safety recommendations. No appointment needed. Free. 8-11:30am. Britax North American Headquarters, 4140 Pleasant Road, Fort Mill, S.C. 704-4091695. britaxusa.com.

Cocoa With Santa. Enjoy hot cocoa, seasonal crafts and a visit from Santa. Don’t forget to bring your camera. Free. 10am-noon. Cornelius Arts Center, 19725 Oak St., Unit 1, Cornelius. 704-896-8823. cornelius.org.

Festival of Trees. Featuring a holiday tree forest filled with decorations, holiday activities and a silent auction bid. Free. Noon-8pm. Ballantyne Village, 14825 Ballantyne Village Way. ballantynevillage.com.

Fireside Fairytales. Make s’mores, enjoy hot cocoa and enjoy a shadow puppet show. December’s fairytale is “The Ginger Bread Boy.” Ages 3 and up. Registration required. Free. 6:308pm. McDowell Nature Center, 15222 York Road. 704-588-5224. parkandrec.com.

Rock Hill Christmas Parade. See floats and Christmas lights as they make their way through downtown

A Forest Celebration Series. Huddle around the fire, roast marshmallows, make a pinecone bird feeder and listen to a reading of “The Night Tree.”

Ages 3 and up. Registration required.

Free. 1-2pm. Reedy Creek Nature Center, 2900 Rocky River Road. 704432-6459. parkandrec.com.

A Golden Christmas at Reed Gold Mine. Demonstrations, children’s crafts, and a candlelight tour describing Christmas traditions. Free.

10am-5pm. Reed Gold Mine, 9621 Reed Mine Road, Midland. 704-7214653. reedmine.com.

Bazaar and Candle Tea. Handmade items, traditional Moravian crafts, chicken pies, cookie walk and collection of nativities. Free.

8am-2pm. Peace Moravian Church, 4418 Rea Road. peacemoravian.com.

Breakfast With Santa. Enjoy a hot breakfast and hear a holiday story with Santa. $7. 8-9:30am. Carolina Place Mall, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy., Pineville. 704-542-4111. carolinaplace. com/events.

Christmas in Downtown Monroe.

Featuring wandering carolers, live music, carriage and trolley rides, the tree lighting, food vendors, a Christmas petting zoo and guaranteed snow. Free. 6-9pm.

Downtown Monroe, 113 W. Morgan St., Monroe. 704-292-1705. historicdowntownmonroe.org.

Christmas Open House. Bring your camera to take a picture with Santa, buy gifts made by local artists and crafters and enjoy cookies and juice. Free. 1-6pm. Rocky River Vineyards, 11685 Reed Mine Road. rockyrivervineyards.com.

Cookies and Cocoa with Santa. Enjoy baked cookies and hot cocoa while visiting with Santa and sing-a-long with Mrs. Claus, followed by a Polar Express ride. Garden elves can help children create a gift, too. Registration required. $30, includes Holidays at the Garden festivities. 3-5pm. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 704-825-4490. dsbg.org.

Cookies for Kids Cancer Bake Sale.

Raise awareness and money this holiday season for kids who have cancer. Donations accepted.

9am-6pm. BlackHawk Hardware locations. cookiesforkidscancer.org.

Cookies with Mrs. Claus. Enjoy holiday cookies and snacks while listening to holiday stories read by Mrs. Claus, and make holiday crafts. Free. 2-4pm.

SouthPark Mall, Circle Court, 4400 Sharon Road. 704-364-4411. simon. com/kidgits.

Family First: Eco-Jewelry Making.

Make pieces of jewelry using different recycled materials and inspired by various cultures throughout the world. $7-$9. 11am-1pm. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture, 551 S. Tryon St. 704547-3700. ganttcenter.org.

Festival of Trees. Featuring a holiday tree forest filled with decorations, holiday activities and even a silent auction bid. Free. Noon-8pm.

Ballantyne Village, 14825 Ballantyne Village Way. ballantynevillage.com.

Fort Mill Christmas Parade. Enjoy community floats, marching bands and a visit from Santa. Free. 11am.

Fort Mill Town Hall, Downtown Fort Mill, Fort Mill, S.C. 803-547-2116. fortmillsc.org.

Guiding Parents to Services ASD Workshop. A program within Smart Start of Mecklenburg County for families of young children with an Autism Spectrum diagnosis. Free.

10:30am. Imaginon: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 704-4164631. imaginon.org.

Hometown Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting. Enjoy holiday crafts, Santa’s arrival, carriage rides, exhibitors, a fireworks display and lighting of the town tree. Free. 3-6pm. Town Hall Village Green, 232 Matthews Station St., Matthews. 704-321-7275. matthewsnc.gov.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Read the classic Dr. Seuss tale and then explore some frosty science experiments, featuring liquid nitrogen, ice and instant snow. Grades PK-2. $12 for one adult and one child, $5 for each additional participant.

10:30am-noon. Discovery Place, 301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261. discoveryplace.org.

It’s Kwanzaa Time Family Workshop.

Get guidelines on how to host a successful Kwanzaa celebration in your home and community, and participate in activities. Ages 5-11.

Free. 10am. Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road. 704-416-3000. cmlibrary.org.

Launch It. Work together to build a catapult, using the engineering design process. Grades 3-5. $12 for one adult and one child, $5 for each additional participant. 10:30am.

Discovery Place, 301 N. Tryon St. 704372-6261. discoveryplace.org.

Light Up MillBridge. Visit with Santa to take pictures, sip on hot cocoa, warm apple cider and snack on holiday treats. Free. 5:30-8:30pm. MillBridge, 1401 MillBridge Pkwy., Waxhaw. millbridge-nc.com.

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on stage BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Magic of Christmas. Don’t miss this holiday tradition featuring the Oratorio Singers complete with sing-alongs and surprises. $12.50-$25. Dec. 4-7. Thurs., 7:30pm; Fri., 8pm; Sat., 2:30 and 8pm; Sun., 2:30pm. 704-972-2000. charlottesymphony.org.

Charlotte Ballet Presents: Nutcracker. An annual favorite, with choreography by Jean-Piere Bonnefoux and live music from the Charlotte Symphony. Tickets start at $25. Dec.12-23. See website for a list of times. charlotteballet.org.

Clara’s Trip: A Nutcracker Story. Clara LeBlanc trips at a holiday party and is whisked off to the hospital to learn that her ankle is broken. That night her friends and get-well gifts swirl in her dreams. $20-45. Dec. 12-13. Fri., 7pm; Sat., 2 and 7pm. carolinecalouche.org.130 N. Tryon St.

CHARLES LABORDE THEATER RENT: School Edition. Set in the East Village of NYC, watch a story about love, finding your voice and living for today. Ages 13+. Dec. 5-7. $7-$10. Fri., 7pm; Sat., 2 and 7pm; Sun., 2pm. 980-343-5500. nwsatag.com. 1415 Beatties Ford Road.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CHARLOTTE Scrooge!. After Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former partner and three Christmas spirits, he learns to change his ways just in time for Christmas Day. Ages 7+. $12. Dec. 5-22. Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 1 and 4pm; Sun., 2pm. ctcharlotte.org.

The Story of the Little Gentlemen. No one seems to have time for the little gentlemen, but soon he meets a friend who changes his life forever. Ages 3 and up. $14. Dec. 13-28. Saturday and Sunday. See website for times. 704-973-2828. ctcharlotte.org. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St.

DANA AUDITORIUM Nutcracker: Harris YMCA School of Dance. A family-friendly, abridged version narrated for all to enjoy. $15-$20. Dec. 13-14. Sat., 10:30am, 1:30, 4:30, and 7:30pm; Sun., 1 and 4pm. ymcacharlotte.org/harris. Queens University, 1900 Selwyn Ave.

ELEVATION – LAKE NORMAN Nutcracker Ballet. Enjoy the classic holiday performance with family and friends. $15$17, free for children 5 and under. Dec. 6. 10am. adfastudio.com.

8325 Copley Drive, Cornelius.

FULLWOOD THEATER A Classic Christmas TV Special. An evening of Christmas memories sampling musical numbers and vignettes from TV’s Christmas specials of yesteryear. $9-$10.

Dec. 12-14. 7-9pm. matthewsplayhouse.com.

Holiday Enchantment. Enjoy a holiday performance featuring the Charlotte City Ballet Company. $10. Dec. 20. 3 and 7pm. charlottecityballet.org.

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Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker, Dec.12-23, at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.

Matthews Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker. Experience an evening of the classic performance. $3-$5. Dec. 6-7. Sat., 7pm; Sun., 3pm. 704-321-7275. matthewshometownholidays.com. 100 McDowell St., Matthews.

GASTON COUNTY LIBRARY Christmas With Santa. Watch an original family holiday production by Bright Star Theatre. Free. Dec. 6. 2pm. 704-868-2164. gastonlibary.org. Gaston County Library Auditorium, 1555 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia.

GASTON DAY SCHOOL Gaston Theatre Dance Presents: The Nutcracker. Watch the full-scale production of the classic holiday story. $6-$15. Dec. 5-7. Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 1 and 7:30pm; Sun., 3pm.

704-865-5943. gastondancetheatre.com. 2001 Gaston Day School Road, Gastonia.

LEVINE JCC Into the Woods. Enjoy the crooked characters in this fractured fairy tale featuring Cinderella, Prince Charming, a witch who raps and a blood-thirsty Little Red Riding hood as they embark on a quest for a few special objects. Ages 8+. $12-$15.

Dec 6-14. Sat.-Sun., 2 and 7pm. 704-366-5007. charlottejcc.org. 5007 Providence Road.

OVENS AUDITORIUM Singing Christmas Tree for KIDS. A one-hour show full of sing-a-longs, holiday tunes, puppets, dancers and Santa. $18-$20. Dec. 13. 11am and 3pm. 704-374-1564. carolinavoices.org. 2700 E. Independence Blvd.

PEASE AUDITORIUM Winter Dreams 2014. Feature newly restaged classical repertory and a few new surprises for the entire family. $5-$10. Dec.12-14. Fri.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2:30pm. 704-3306868. tix.cpcc.edu. 1206 Elizabeth Ave.

ST. PATRICK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Celtic Christmas Concert. The music of Christmas comes to life with carols and hymns. $10-$15. Dec. 7. 7pm. 704-663-5659. saint-patricks.org. 201 Fairview Road, Mooresville.

THE NARROWAY THEATRE The Real Christmas Story. Watch and hear your favorite Christmas songs and scenes.

Guaranteed snowfall at every performance. $5-$29.95. Through Dec. 21. Fri.-Sun. See website for a list of times. 803-802-2300. narroway.net. 3327 Hwy 51, Fort Mill, S.C.

THEATRE CHARLOTTE A Christmas Carol. The classic tale of hard-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by the ghost of his late partner, Jacob Marley, and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. $27. Dec. 5-14. See website for list of times. 704-376-3777. theatrecharlotte.org. 501 Queens Road.

North Mecklenburg Christmas Parade. See marching bands, dance groups, community group floats and Santa. Free. 1pm. Marches from Davidson to Cornelius along Highway 115, Davidson. 704-596-0342. townofdavidson.org.

Passport to Christmas. Explore languages and cultures around the world through stories, a craft, and foods. Families can also have their photo taken in a mock airplane.

Ages 6-12 with an adult. Registration required. $5. 9am-12:30pm, 1:305pm. JAARS Center, 7405 Jaars Road, Waxhaw. jaars.org.

Pineville’s Annual Tree Lighting. Be there as the town lights up its holiday tree with carols, crafts, hot chocolate, cookies and the arrival of Santa Claus.

Free. 6:30pm. Old Police Building, 300 Main St., Pineville. 704-889-2400. townofpineville.com.

Plantation Candlelight Tour at Historic Rosedale. Experience holiday antebellum Southern hospitality, enjoy hot cider and refreshments in the English basement kitchen. $10-$12. 4-7pm. Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 North Tryon St. 704-335-0325. historicrosedale.org.

Winter Carnival. Bouncy houses, ice skating, carnival treats, photos with Santa, and arts and crafts.

All proceeds benefit Santa’s Link to Kids. See website for price.

10am-4pm. NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. holidayonicecharlotte.com.

On Stage: A Christmas Carol, Christmas with Santa; Gaston Day School Presents: The Nutcracker; Into the Woods; Magic of Christmas; Matthews Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker; RENT: School Edition; Scrooge!; The Real Christmas Story.

See page 40.

7 SUNDAY Caring Santa at Concord Mills.

Children with special needs can visit with Santa in a subdued environment. Free. 8:30-10am.

Concord Mills, 8111 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord. concordmills.com.

Caring Santa at SouthPark Mall.

Children with special needs can visit with Santa and take photos during private mall hours for a calmer sensory-friendly environment.

Registration required. Free. 8:30-10am.

SouthPark Mall, Circle Court, 4400 Sharon Road. 704-364-4411. simon. com/caringsanta.

Friends of the Library Holiday Book Sale. Browse a selection of giftquality, gently used books, including fiction and nonfiction, holiday titles, and children’s books at bargain prices.

Free. 3:30-5:30pm. York County Library, 138 E. Black St., Rock Hill, S.C. 803-981-5858. yclibrary.org.

Gastonia Christmas Parade. Watch the parade of floats, listen to bands perform and see Santa. Free. 2-4pm.

Downtown Gastonia, 615 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia. 704-868-2058. gastoncojaycees.org.

It’s a Wonderful Life Parade and Tree Lighting. Take a photo with Santa, make a Christmas craft, donate toys to the Holiday Heroes Toy Donation Drive, and watch the parade and the tree light up the night. Free. 3pm.

Crossing Paths Park, Blythe Drive, Indian Trail. indiantrail.org.

Visions of Christmas. Wear a pair of Christmas pajamas, enjoy a reading of “The Night Before Christmas”, have some hot cocoa and a treat and witness a special surprise in the English basement kitchen. $10-$12.

4:30 and 5:30pm. Historic Rosedale, 3427 N. Tryon St. 704-335-0325. historicrosedale.org.

On Stage: A Christmas Carol, Celtic Christmas Concert, Gaston Day School Presents: The Nutcracker, Into the Woods, Magic of Christmas, Matthews Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker, RENT: School Edition, Scrooge!, The Real Christmas Story.

See page 40.

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See Vernon Grant’s illustrious holiday collection at the Museum of York County through Jan. 4, 2015.

8 MONDAY

on exhibit DISCOVERY PLACE

Dinosaurs in Motion. Features 14 fully interactive recycled metal dinosaur sculptures with exposed mechanics inspired by actual fossils. Through Jan. 16, 2015. Mon.-Fri., 9am-4pm; Sat., 10am-6pm; Sun., noon-5pm. 704-3726261. discoveryplace.org.

Fantastic Frogs. Meet live frogs and participate in interactive learning games. $12-$15, includes museum admission. Through Jan. 1, 2015. Mon.-Fri., 9am-4pm; Sat., 10am-6pm; Sun., noon-5pm. 704-372-6261. discoveryplace. org. 301 N. Tryon St.

NASCAR HALL OF FAME Rockin’ & Racin’ Exhibit. Explore artifacts including the 1959 Chevrolet Corvette featured in a famous country star’s music video. Starting at $17.95, free for children under 5. Through Jan. 2, 2015. Mon.-Sun., 10am-6pm. 704-6544400. nascarhall.com. 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

THE MINT MUSEUM Connecting the World: The Panama Canal at 100. More than 50 selected examples of the work of the three most important American artists to draw and paint the construction of the canal, featuring photographs, books, newspapers and other period material. $6-$12, includes museum admission.

Through Feb. 1, 2015. Wed., 11am-9pm; Thurs.-Sat., 11am-6pm; Sun., 1-5pm.

704-337-2000. mintmuseum.org. 500 S. Tryon St.

MUSEUM OF YORK COUNTY On Holiday With Santa. Celebrate some of Vernon Grant’s most popular holiday illustrations. $3-$5, includes museum admission. Through Jan 4., 2015. Tues.Sat., 10am-5pm; Sun.,1-5pm. 803-329-2121. chmuseums.org. 4621 Mt. Gallant Road, Rock Hill, S.C.

CALENDAR POLICY:

The Charlotte Parent calendar lists free and lowcost local events targeted to children and families. Time, dates and details subject to change. Call venue to confirm.

Want to get listed? Go to CharlotteParent.com/calendar, then click on Submit an Event.

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Elf in the Woods. Read the “Elf on the Shelf” book, go for a walk through nature and make elf and nature crafts in Santa’s workshop. Parent participation required. Registration required. $3. 10-11am . Mallard Creek Recreation Center, 2530 Johnsont-Oehler Road. 704-548-8234. parkandrec.com .

Natural Ornaments. Create holiday decorations using natural pieces.

Ages 3 and up. Registration required.

Free. 10-11am. McDowell Nature Center, 15222 York Road. 704-5885224. parkandrec.com.

Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road.

704-337-2000. mintmuseum.org.

Mountain Island Library Anniversary Celebration. Enjoy free programs and refreshments for the whole family. Free. 4pm. Mountain Island Library, 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way. 704416-5600. cmlibrary.org.

Mrs. Claus Storytime. Listen to Mrs. Claus’ favorite holiday stories and bring your camera to take pictures.

Free. 11am. Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. 704-6642927. ci.mooresville.nc.us/portal/library.

Onstage: A Christmas Carol.

See page 40.

9 TUESDAY

11 THURSDAY

Children’s Holiday Tree for Wildlife.

Read a story, create a holiday gift, and make edible ornaments for wildlife. Ages 10 and under.

Registration required. $5-$8. 3:305pm. Wing Haven Gardens, 248 Ridgewood Ave. 704-331-0664. winghavengardens.com.

Family Concerts with Eric Litwin. Sing, dance and laugh with an interactive performance by the best-selling author. Free. 3:15 and 6pm. York County Library, 138 E. Black St., Rock Hill, S.C 803-981-5858. yclibrary.org.

Now Showing: “Frozen.” Enjoy light refreshments while watching the feature film. Ages 5-11. Free. 5pm.

Scaleybark Library, 101 Scaleybark Road. 704-416-6400. cmlibrary.org.

Onstage: A Christmas Carol.

See page 40.

Latta Homeschoolers: Adventure Skills Challenge. A historicallyappropriate themed adventure focusing on knot tying, teamwork and navigation. Ages 10-15. Free.

1-4pm. Latta Plantation Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704875-1391. parkandrec.com.

Mini Masters Workshop: Patterns on Parade. Look for shapes and patterns in colorful cloths from Central America and stamp, roll, and print your own creations. $14$18. 1:30-2:45pm. Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road.704337-2000. mintmuseum.org.

Onstage: A Christmas Carol.

See page 40.

10 WEDNESDAY Discover Latta: Holiday Homeschool Day. Enjoy a morning to explore the plantation grounds, and see Colonial Christmas Soldiers of the Revolution Schoolhouse. $6. 10am-2pm.

Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-2312. lattaplantation.org.

Mini Masters Workshop: Patterns on Parade. Look for shapes and patterns in colorful cloths from Central America and stamp, roll, and print your own creations. $14$18. 10:30-11:45am. Mint Museum

12 FRIDAY An Afternoon with Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol.” Watch a presentation on the life and works of author Charles Dickens, followed by the film adaptation of his book.

Ages 12-18. Registration required.

Free. 1:30pm. Matthews Library, 230 Matthews Station St. 704-416-5000. cmlibrary.org.

Dakota and Friends. Meet and interact with Dakota, pet a baby T-Rex and enjoy the antics of the Triceratops Rex. Free. 11:30am. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 704-416-4600. imaginon.org.

Swim With Santa. Swim with the jolly good fellow. Bring your wish list and

camera. $6-$11. 5-8pm. Ray’s Splash Planet, 215 N. Sycamore St. 704-4324729. rayssplashplanet.com.

On Stage: A Christmas Carol; A Classic Christmas TV Special; Charlotte Ballet Presents: Nutcracker; Clara’s Trip: A Nutcracker Story; Scrooge!; The Real Christmas Story; Winter Dreams 2014. See page 40.

13 SATURDAY Birkdale Village: Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy music, food and fun all in one place. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the town’s Habitat for Humanity. Free. 8:30 and 9:45am.

Red Rocks Cafe, 8712 Lindholm Drive, Huntersville. 704-895-8744. birkdalevillage.net.

Breakfast With Santa. Make holiday crafts while enjoying breakfast.

Ages 2-8. Registration required. $5. 9am; 10:45am. Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell St. East, Matthews. 704-321-7275 . matthewshometownholiday.com.

Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy pancakes, talk with Santa, participate in a silent auction and shop with the elves at Santa’s workshop. Registration required. $5. 8am. Peace Preschool, Peace Moravian Church Fellowship Hall, 4418 Rea Road. 704-927-1687. mypeacepreschool.com.

Celebra!. Enjoy a vibrant, bilingual family concert celebrating culture and music. Free. 11am. Gaston County Public Library Auditorium, 1555 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 704-8682164. gastonlibrary.org.

Charlotte Curling Grand Opening.

Throw a curling stone, meet Team USA and sigh up for learn-to-curl sessions. Free. 1-4pm. Charlotte Curling Association, 6525 Old Statesville Road. charlottecurling.com.

Cookies and Cocoa with Santa. Enjoy baked cookies and hot cocoa while visiting with Santa and sing-a-long with Mrs. Claus, followed by a Polar Express ride. Garden elves can help children create a gift, too. Registration required. $30, includes Holidays at the Garden festivities. 3-5pm. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 704-825-4490. dsbg.org.

Downtown Christmas Village. Enjoy carolers, apple cider and cookies as you stroll on Main Street. Head on over to Stowe Park to roast marshmallows. Bring a canned good to ride the horse-drawn carriage or hayride. Free. 6-9pm. Downtown, Belmont. 704-825-8191. cityofbelmont.org.

Edible Ornaments. Make an edible ornament to take home or leave in the garden for the animals to enjoy. Free. 1-4pm. Latta Plantation Nature Center, 6211 Sample

Road, Huntersville. 704-875-1391. parkandrec.com.

Geology Rocks: Family Day. Visit with a geologist for a hands-on rock and mineral display opportunity. $3-$5.

Noon-2pm. Museum of York County, 4621 Mt. Gallant Road, Rock Hill, S.C. 803-329-2121. chmuseums.org.

Heritage Village Christmas Celebration. Enjoy Christmas as it was in the 1890-1900’s in Gaston County with hot chocolate, cider and cookies. Free. 2:30-5:30pm. Dallas Park, 1303 Dallas-Cherryville Hwy., Dallas. gastongov.com.

Holiday stories with Lona Barlett.

Holiday stories with puppets from storyteller and puppeteer Lona Bartlett. Free. 2pm. Myers Park Branch Library, 1361 Queens Road. 704-4165800. cmlibrary.org.

Kannapolis Christmas Parade. Enjoy the illuminated night parade that includes fire trucks, bands, horses and floats, plus Santa. Free. 6pm.

Main and 1st streets and West Avenue, Kannapolis. 704-920-4399. cabarrusevents.org.

Krueger Reindeer Romp 5K Walk/ Run. Young runners can dress up for the Santa’s Express Fun Run. Enjoy hot chocolate and a visit with Santa at the finish line. Ages 5 and up. $25-$40.

8am. Harris YMCA, 5900 Quail Hollow Road. 704-716-6800. racesonline.com.

Light Up Lowell. Holiday festival, parade, Santa and tree lighting. Free. 2-6pm.

Downtown Lowell, 101 W. First St., Lowell. 704-824-3518. lowellnc.com.

Sensory Storytime. Filled with stories, songs and activities, for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, sensory integration issues and other developmental disabilities. Ages 3-7.

Registration required. Free. 10:15am.

South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road. 704-416-6600. cmlibrary.org.

Visit From Santa. Enjoy cookies, refreshments, and holiday crafts. Tell Santa your wishlist. $8-$12; Children 5 and under are free. 1:30-3:30pm.

Carolinas Aviation Museum, 4672 First Flight Drive. 704-997-3770. carolinasaviation.org.

Winter on the Western Frontier.

Watch musket and cannon-firing demonstrations and learn how provincial soldiers fared in the winter at Fort Dobbs. Free. 10am-4pm. Fort Dobbs State Historic Site, 438 Fort Dobbs Road, Statesville. 704-8735882. fortdobbs.org/events.

OnStage: A Christmas Carol; A Classic Christmas TV Special; Charlotte Ballet Presents: Nutcracker; Clara’s Trip: A Nutcracker Story; Into theWoods; Nutcracker: Harris YMCA School of Dance; Scrooge!; Singing Christmas Tree for KIDS; The Real Christmas Story, The Story of the Little Gentlemen; Winter Dreams 2014. See page 40.

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Animatronic bears perform at Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra at Founders Hall uptown through Dec. 31.

ongoing holiday events 12 Days of Christmas. Includes Holiday Festival

ChristmasVille. Rock Hill transforms with an event that

Holidays at the Garden. Enjoy a natural winter

of Lights, GingerSnap 5K, Santa’s Ride through the Neighborhoods, a parade and more. Most events are free. Through Dec. 22. Fri.-Sun. See schedule on website.

Downtown Waxhaw. 704-843-2195. waxhaw.com.

features carolers, carriage rides, and more than 20 tons of real snow. Dec. 4-7. Free. See website for schedule. Old Town Rock Hill. 803-329-8756. christmasvillerockhill.com.

wonderland with thousands of lights, visits from Santa, crafts, holiday treats and more. $6-$12; Children under 4 are free. Through Dec. 31. Noon-9pm. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 New Hope Road, Belmont. 704825-4490. dsbg.org.

Christmas at the Library. Experience a live Nativity, horse-drawn carriage rides and a Christmas story time for kids. Free parking, $3-$7 for carriage rides. Dec. 1-23. Mon.Thurs., 5-9pm; Fri.-Sat., 5-10pm. Billy Graham Library, 4330 Westmont Drive. 704-401-3200. billygrahamlibrary.org.

Community Nativity Festival. View 500 nativities, hear musical performances by local choirs, plus make-andtake crafts for kids. Dec. 4-6. Free. 4:30-8:30pm. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7036 McIlwaine Road, Huntersville. 704-766-0059. nativityfestival.com.

Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour. Walkable tour

Christmas Candlelight Tours. Activities include candle-dripping, ornament-making, dramatic readings and music. Dec. 6-13. $5-$10; children under 3 are free. 3-9pm.

Historic Brattonsville, 1444 Brattonsville Road, McConnells, S.C. 803-684-2327. chmuseums.org.

includes admission to seven private residences, seasonal live music, complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides, free food and more. $25. Dec. 5-7. Fri.-Sat., 5-9pm. Sun., 1-5pm.

Fourth Ward. fofw.org.

Gingerbread Lane. View gingerbread creations by Christmas in Davidson. Enjoy horse-drawn carriage, hayrides, a doggie fashion show and Santa’s house. Dec. 4-6. Free. See website for various event times. Downtown Davidson. christmasindavidson.com.

amateur and professionals, all donations go towards the Levine Children’s Hospital. Dec. 11-25. 9am-5pm. The Ballantyne Hotel, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. 704248-4055. theballantynehotel.com.

Christmas Town USA. Drive through to see more than 375 trees aglow. Expect delays on weekends. Free.

Through Dec. 26. Mon.-Fri., 5:30-9:30pm; Sat.-Sun., 5:30-11pm. McAdenville. 704-823-2260. mcadenvillechristmastown.com.

Holiday Afternoon Tea. Enjoy elegant tea

Christmas Wonderland of Lights. Drive through

Holiday On Ice. Family-friendly ice-skating on a 7,000-square-foot rink with a view of the city skyline. $10.

Through Jan. 4. Wed.-Fri., 5pm-10pm; Sat., 10am-10pm; Sun., 10am-7pm. NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 704-277-2636. holidayonicecharlotte.com.

two miles of forest decorated with more than 3.5 million lights; enjoy pony rides, roasting pits for marshmallows, Santa, and a petting zoo. $6. Through Jan. 3. Mon.-Thurs.

6-9pm; Fri.-Sun., 6-10pm. Zootastic Park, 448 Pilch Road, Troutman. 888-966-0069. zootasticpark.com.

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sandwiches and a special children’s tea menu with holiday sweets, cookies and beverages. $25-$35. Dec. 6-21. Sat.Sun., 10:30am and 3pm. The Ritz Carlton, 201 E. Trade St.704-547-2244. ritzcarlton.com/charlotte.

Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra. The 18-piece display of adorable animatronic bears performs classic holiday songs. Free. Through Dec. 31. Daily on the hour from 10am-8pm. Times are subject to change.

Founders Hall, 100 N. Tryon St. 704-716-8649. foundershall. com.

Santa’s Bag. Children can browse through a wide variety of inexpensive, pre-wrapped gifts and select something for everyone on their list. Ages 12 and under.

Free. Dec. 3-6. Wed.-Fri., 10am-12:30pm and 4:30-7pm; Sat. 10am-3pm. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, 300 E. 7th St. 704-973-2806. ctcharlotte.org.

Speedway Christmas. See more than 3 million Christmas lights while driving on the track, plus movie nights on the world’s largest HDTV every Friday and Saturday night. Mon.-Wed., $15 per vehicle; Thurs.-Sat., $20 per vehicle. Through Dec. 30. 6-10pm. Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord. 704-455-3200. charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Winterland Express and Celebration of Lights.

Ride the Rotary Express through more than 250,000 twinkling lights. Enjoy singing bears, model trains and hot cocoa. $2. Through Dec. 30. Daily, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 6-9:30pm. 704-920-4343. Village Park, 700 W. C. St., Kannapolis. kannapolischristmas.com.

14 SUNDAY Christmas Bird Count. Learn birding basics and collect data that can help in bird conservation efforts. Free.

1-5pm. Latta Plantation Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704875-1391. parkandrec.com.

Waxhaw Christmas Parade. See local school marching bands, horses, and float. Afterwards, kids can have a snack and take photos with Santa.

Free. 3pm. Downtown Waxhaw. 704843-2195.waxhaw.com.

On Stage: A Christmas Carol; A Classic Christmas TV Special; Charlotte Ballet Presents: Nutcracker; Into the Woods; The Real Christmas Story; Scrooge!; The Story of the Little Gentlemen; Winter Dreams 2014. See page 40.

15 MONDAY Creative Journaling. Learn about writing and self-expression by journaling with words, photos, collages, and other art forms. Ages

12 and up. Free. 4pm. South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road. 704416-6600. cmlibrary.org.

Drive-Thru Christmas. Travel back in time to experience the Christmas story through a series of live nativity scenes. Each car is given a CD upon entering that narrates the story.

Free. 6-8pm. Carmel Presbyterian, 2048 Carmel Road. 704-366-5114. carmelpresbyterian.org.

OnStage: NutCracker: Harris YMCA School of Dance. See page 40.

16 TUESDAY First Day of Hanukkah Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Presents: Puppet Show. Explore traditional stories, books and songs through a puppet show. Ages 3-5.

Free. 11:30am. Imaginon: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 704-416-4600. imaginon.org.

Christmas Ornaments and Finger Paint. Make a Christmas ornament and a piece of art. Grades K-6. Free.

4:30pm. Mooresville Public Library,

304 S. Main St., Mooresville. 704-6642927. ci.mooresville.nc.us/portal/library.

Drive-Thru Christmas. Travel back in time to experience the Christmas story through a series of live nativity scenes. Each car is given a CD upon entering that narrates the story.

Free. 6-8pm. Carmel Presbyterian, 2048 Carmel Road. 704-366-5114. carmelpresbyterian.org.

Storytime In The Secret Garden.

Enjoy a story followed by a walk through the gardens. Ages 5 and under. Registration required. $5, free for members. 10-11am. Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary, 260 Ridgewood Ave. 704-331-0664 x103. winghavengardens.com.

17 WEDNESDAY Nature Detectives: Trees for Wildlife.

Become nature detectives while investigating and learning about fun things that are found in the woods. Featuring stories, games, and activities. Ages 4-6. $3. 1:30-3pm.

Latta Plantation Nature Center, 6211

Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-4326460. parkandrec.com.

18 THURSDAY Tales for 2’s and 3’s. Listen to stories and sing songs to enhance early literacy skills. Ages 2-3. Free. 10am.

Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. 704-664-292. ci.mooresville.nc.us/225/Library.

Onstage: Charlotte Ballet Presents: Nutcracker. See page 40.

19 FRIDAY Holiday Fun for Toddlers and Up. Listen to holiday-themed songs, participate in stories and crafts and enjoy a holiday snack. $10 per family.

9:15-10:15am. Levine JCC, 5007 Providence Road. 704-366-5007. charlottejcc.org.

Kids Create. Fun-filled art activities to create and take home. Ages 2-5. Free.

11am. Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. 704-664-2927. ci.mooresville.nc.us/portal/library.

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Yule Log Parade and Ceremony. Help pull the yule log through town to Legacy Park where it is then ignited.

Afterward, gather around to sing Christmas carols. The evening ends with a visit from Santa. Free. 5:309pm. Pharr Yarns Main Office, 100 Main St., McAdenville. 704-824-3551. mcadenville-christmastown.com.

OnStage: Charlotte Ballet Presents: Nutcracker; Scrooge!. See page 40.

20 SATURDAY Breakfast With Santa. Make holiday crafts while enjoying breakfast. Ages 2-8. Registration required. $5. 9am; 10:45am. Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell Street East, Matthews. 704-321-7275 . matthewshometownholiday.com.

Reptile Encounters. Meet a few reptile ambassadors during a live animal show and learn what they eat and more. Registration required.

Free. 10am, 11am and noon. Latta Plantation Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-8751391. parkandrec.com.

Twig Stars. Make fashion stars out of twigs and twine. Ages 7 and up. Registration required. Free.

11am-noon. Reedy Creek Nature Center, 2900 Rocky River Road. 704432-6459. parkandrec.com.

On Stage: Charlotte Ballet Presents: Nutcracker; Holiday Enchantment; Scrooge!; The Real Christmas Story; The Story of the Little Gentlemen. See page 40.

21 SUNDAY First Day of Winter On a Winter’s Solstice. Bundle up for hot cocoa, solstice folklore and history and a view of Mountain Island Lake at sunset. Registration required.

Free. 4:30-5:30pm. Latta Plantation Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-1391. parkandrec.com.

On Stage: Charlotte Ballet Presents: Nutcracker; Scrooge!, The Real Christmas Story, The Story of the Little Gentlemen. See page 40.

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22 MONDAY Now Showing: “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”Watch the feature film. Free. 4pm. Mountain Island Library, 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way. 704-416-5600. cmlibrary.org.

Onstage: Charlotte Ballet Presents: Nutcracker. See page X.

23 TUESDAY Preschool Storytime: Listen and Move. Featuring stories, songs and movement activities that build both gross and fine motor skills. Ages 3-5.

Free. 11:30am. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 704-416-4600. imaginon.org.

OnStage: Charlotte Ballet Presents: Nutcracker. See page X.

24 WEDNESDAY Candlelight Christmas Eve Service.

Enjoy a child-friendly service with music to celebrate the meaning of Christmas. 6:30pm. The Vine Charlotte, 2101 Belvedere Ave. 704-334-7348. thevinecharlotte.com From Page to Screen: “Christmas with the Kranks.”Watch the film adaptation of the novel “Skipping Christmas” by John Grisham. Ages 12-18. Free. 2pm. Mountain Island Library, 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way. 704416-5600. cmlibrary.org.

25 THURSDAY Christmas Day

26 FRIDAY First Day of Kwanzaa On Holiday With Santa. Celebrate some of Vernon Grant’s most popular holiday illustrations. $3-$5, includes museum admission. 10am-5pm.

Museum of York County, 4621 Mt. Gallant Road, Rock Hill, S.C. 803-3292121. chmuseums.org.

27 SATURDAY Better than the Book: “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.”Watch the film adaptation of the novel by C.S. Lewis. Ages 5-11. Free. 1:30pm.

Mountain Island Library, 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way. 704-416-5600. cmlibrary.org.

Winter Tree Identification. Learn how to identify native trees on the greenway by shape, bark, twigs and fruit. No strollers on this hike. Free.

10am. Rush Pavilion, 1604 Hwy. 21 Bypass, Fort Mill. 803-547-4575. ascgreenway.org.

On Stage: The Story of the Little Gentlemen. See page 40.

28 SUNDAY Fantastic Frogs. Meet live frogs and participate in interactive learning games. $12-$15, includes museum admission. Noon-5pm. Discovery Place, 301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261. discoveryplace.org.

On Stage: The Story of the Little Gentlemen. See page 40.

29 MONDAY Family Game Night. Enjoy a fun night of board, card, Wii and Kinect games.

Free. 6pm. York County Library, 138 E. Black St., Rock Hill, S.C. 803-981-5858. yclibrary.org.

From Page to Screen: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Watch the film adaptation of the novel by J.K. Rowling. Ages 5-11. Free. 1pm.

Mountain Island Library, 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way. 704-416-5600. cmlibrary.org.

30 TUESDAY Belk Bowl Fanfest. Interactive games, face-painting, cheerleaders and marching bands, plus live music. Free.

4pm. Corner of Mint and Stonewall streets. belkbowl.com.

Family Storytime. Stories, songs, and movement to support early literacy skills. Free. Mon.-Fri., 10:30am; Sat., 10:30am, 2pm. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 704-416-4600. imaginon.org.

2014-15 Education Guide

ON STANDS NOW

31 WEDNESDAY From Page to Screen: “The Jungle Book.” See the film adaptation of the book. Ages 5-11. Free. 10:30am.

Mountain Island Library, 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way. 704-416-5600. cmlibrary.org.

MallStars Noon Year’s Eve. Fun games, crafts and a special balloon drop.

Free. 10:30am. Northlake Mall, 6801 Northlake Mall Drive. 704-921-2000.

Shopnorthlake.com Winter Scavenger Hunt. Hike to find natural treasures. Participants must be able to hike 1 mile on uneven terrain.

Ages 6 and up. Registration required.

Free. 2-3pm. Reedy Creek Nature Center, 2900 Rocky River Road. 704432-6459. parkandrec.com.

Pick up your copy today!

• The big list of preschools, private, public, charter and boarding schools • 775 education resources • The switch from public to private school • Why early education matters • The lowdown on parental homework help

For more things to do and to see what’s happening next month, go to CharlotteParent.com/calendar

View the digital edition CharlotteParent.com/EducationGuide

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Download the free Education Guide iPad App, an enhanced version of the print edition featuring multimedia, slideshows, videos and interactive directories.

Coming soon!

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Photo courtesy of Watauga County Tourism and Development Association.

Excursion N.C. Christmas Tree Farms

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the farms is the holiday hospitality. Most are family-run, which means family members work the farm during the season. Don’t be surprised if farm owners’ children, nephews, nieces and cousins warmly greet you.

Many of the tree farms offer hot chocolate or apple cider to add to the sensory experience of hiking the hills and taking in the big views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Many farms sell fresh wreaths and garland made on-site or offer the opportunity for patrons to make their

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running through the groves zigzagging in and out of the trees.

The farm has a horse-drawn sled to pull your chosen tree back to your car for loading, and is a fun ride for kids.

Panoramic Choose and Cut, also in Boone, offers free hay and horse rides, and this year has newborn calves to feed and pet. Many farms have donkeys or other farm animals that children can see up close. Working tractors and other farm equipment raise curiosity in little ones as well.

And if there’s snow, some farms like What Fir Tree Farm and Longview Farm in Boone offer snow-sledding experiences, as well as hay rides, hiking trails, and a gift shop with locally made crafts, plus a chance to share holiday wish lists with Santa at the farm.

The great thing about all

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efore pre-lit artificial trees and tinsel existed, families bundled up for a trek through the woods to find the perfect Christmas tree to bring home and adorn with handmade ornaments.

Modern times make it easy to go to the lot on the corner and pick out a tree, but there’s something about strolling along a mountain hillside on a brisk December day that makes picking a Christmas tree as a family even more perfect.

North Carolina ranks second in the USA for Christmas tree production, so there’s no shortage of tree farms to explore. Watauga County is home to the Appalachian State University Mountaineers, and more than 25 Christmas tree farms. My family makes the trip to Boone each year to Brown’s Choose and Cut. Our son loves

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TOP: The special moment you find your perfect tree.

CENTER: A hillside own wreaths hike through a tree or natural grove with measuring pole in hand. ornaments.

It’s a casual experience, nothing fancy, just goodhearted person-to-person seasonal greetings. Dress warm, wear shoes meant for hiking hillsides and enjoy a day away in the N.C. mountains.

Find more Christmas tree farms at CharlotteParent. com/holiday.

A trip to a Christmas tree farm can be a one-day affair, or a weekend getaway. If traveling to Watauga or Avery counties, take a detour at a nearby ski slope. Ski and snowboard at Appalachian Ski Mountain and Beech Mountain Resort, and add snow tubing to the snowy fun at Sugar Mountain Resort. Sugar Mountain boasts the recently opened 3,000-foot Gunther’s Way slope that opens to 150-feet wide and drops 700 vertical feet.

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BY DEREK JAMES

Carrying on and Creating Christmas Traditions

Tyler, 5, enjoys a good game of Parcheesi.

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hen I was a kid, many of my Christmas Eve nights were spent at my Grandma J’s house. Each year until her passing, she would host everyone in the same home where my father and his brother and eight sisters grew up in. It was tradition. That meant a whole lot of cousins and a whole lot of fun when everyone gathered together.

Grandma J put out an elaborate spread, but the thing I remember most are those chewy little peppermint candies with a Christmas Tree in the center. She knew they were my favorite and I’d probably eat about 80 percent of them. It was a small thing, but one of the things I remember most — that and going to midnight mass after the party and trying to stay awake. Even as a 6-year-old I was able

to stay up longer than Uncle Jim. Fast forward many years later and now my wife and I take our boys to a huge party on Christmas Eve. It’s a party that my wife Kristen’s family has been going to for more than 20 years at a close friend’s house. It’s like Grandma J’s on steroids. It’s not just for family, but friends, neighbors and co-workers. I’ve never seen so many people packed into one house. Great music, lots of little ones playing, and enough food to feed Santa and his elf army. The tradition has become so popular that even Santa makes a special stop ahead of time to deliver Christmas jammies to everyone.

Neither Kristen or I had families like the Griswolds who trudged into the snow to find and then cut down a massive, angelic tree. We did both

grow up with a tradition for trimming the tree. For my wife, that meant putting on a “The Sinatra Christmas Album” while decking the halls here in Charlotte. I grew up in Wisconsin, so instead of listening to Ol’ Blue Eyes, we enjoyed the dulcet tones of Pat Summerall and the unmistakable grunts of John Madden while watching the Green Bay Packers and decorating our tree. Now that we have our own family, we compromise. We listen to Sinatra while football is on the TV. My favorite James’ family tradition is one passed down from my wife’s family. On Christmas morning, all the kids sit down on the stairs in their pajamas for a group picture before having breakfast and opening the gifts. All the while a chorus sings, “I love those j-i-n-g-l-e bells” before the voice of Sinatra returns. Our kids love taking the picture and then scrambling down stairs to see their gifts. Both the boys also love to go back and look at the stair pictures from previous years.

The traditions don’t end there.

From baking cookies with mom to going to see the lights at Carolina Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway and driving on the track, we enjoy the holiday fun and building life-long memories with the kids. The best part is creating these traditions doesn’t take much time or energy, so you can continue to add fun new activities. If you plan on having me over during the holidays don’t forget the peppermint candies with the tree in the middle.

Derek James is a host on WCCB News Rising, and lives with his wife and two sons, ages 3 and 6. Read more from Derek in his Daddy Derek blog at CharlotteParent.com/blogs.

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CAROLINAsmiles

More cute pictures from our readers. We love seeing the smiles.

Upload your smiles at CharlotteParent.com/photogallery. Choose Reader Photos.

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