2019 December - Family Fun in Omaha by Family Fun in Omaha

DON’T MISS The Durham Museum’s annual

NOON YEAR’S EVE PARTY! Tuesday, December 31, 10AM-2PM

It’s the biggest party of the year! Children of all ages will enjoy this

fun-packed bash with live music from Dino O’Dell and the T-Rex All-Stars, special crafts and activities. Ring in the noon year in your handmade party hat while enjoying the celebratory bubble wrap stomp and a spectacular balloon drop at noon in the Suzanne and Walter Scott Great Hall. REGULAR MUSEUM ADMISSION APPLIES — FREE TO MEMBERS —

DURHAMMUSEUM.ORG

December 2019 Feature Articles

How To Choose The Best Volunteer Activities For Your Family

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6 Ways to Save Time and Money This Holiday Shopping Season

3 Holiday Activities to Engage with Loved Ones

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Christmas Traditions- Out with the Old and in with the New!

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December 2019 FamilyFunInOmaha DIGITAL ISSUE

Family Fun In Omaha’s Shop Local Guide Garbos Salon Everyone needs a little pampering, especially during the holidays. Treat yourself, or someone you love, with the ultimate gift in relaxation - a Garbo’s Gift Card. Garbo’s Gift Cards can be used toward any of our professional beauty and styling products or towards one of our award-winning salon or spa services. All gift cards are accepted at any of our four Omaha locations (Oak View Mall, Midtown Crossing, Regency Court, and Village Pointe). Purchase your gift card online at GarbosSalons.com or in any of our locations. We can’t wait to pamper you! Amazing Pizza Machine Experience Omaha’s HUGE awa rd-w inni ng destination for FUN! At over 60,000 square feet in size, there is something for everyone. All guests enjoy the convenience of instant, unlimited dining at the Amazing Buffet and seating for over 700 in the four themed dining rooms and ten birthday party rooms. More than just pizza, the Buffet includes salads, soups, pastas, bakery specialties, baked potatoes, nachos, nightly features, desserts, soft serve ice cream, and a variety of Pepsi products… all unlimited! Then head to the Amazing Buffet where 170 arcade games, go karts, thrill rides, laser tag, the NEW Mission Vortex ride, and the NEW four-player Hologate Virtual Reality attraction await. Voted Best of Omaha’s every year and named a “Top

Family Entertainment Center of the World” by IAAPA, The Amazing Pizza Machine is a must-see for any family traveling to the region. Perfect for family fun, birthday celebrations, and celebrations of all kids. Buy online for best pricing, and always bring your appetite… buffet purchase is required for admission. The Corky Canvas LIFE’S T O O SHORT F O R B A R E WALLS! Join us at The Corky Canvas...where you’re sure to UNCORK your CREATIVITY! It’s fun. It’s easy. It’s a great place to drink wine and spend time with friends while creating a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. No artistic background required! We provide step by step instructions to help you leave with something amazing! We offer kids classes and family days, perfect for getting your little ones interested in their creativity as well! We encourage group reservations and offer Private Parties such as birthdays, bachelorette parties, team building, mom’s night out and so much more! We also make a great gift! Gift cards are available online or in store! Give the gift of Corky for the holidays!

over 50 games to choose from. During your time you will be able to jump in and out of games and swap players as often as you would like. We also have 20 multiplayer games that can be played between stations. Perfect for birthday parties, corporate parties, team building and family gettogethers. For more information, visit www. inﬁniteloopvr.com. InnerRail

Located in Omaha, Nebraska, Inner Rail Food Hall at Aksarben Village is a unique and intimate food experience. Anchored by a live, work, play environment, Inner Rail Food Hall is named as a nod the location’s former identity, the Aksarben horse racing track, and provides a one-of-akind experience for Omaha residents and travelers alike. Found in the city’s premier entertainment district, Inner Rail Food Hall offers both indoor and outdoor spaces for dining and events. The thoughtful design and setup of the space allows patrons to carry open containers throughout Inner Rail’s outdoor plaza, creating a walkable and fully immersive experience. Developed by Noddle Companies and expertly curated by chef and restaurateur Akhtar Inﬁnite Loop Virtual Reality Nawab and managed by the team behind Infinite Loop is Hospitality HQ, which includes Chef Nawab Nebraska’s largest and business partner Michael Wetherbee, virtual reality arcade. guests of Inner Rail are able to select from Infinite Loop has 10 diverse concepts for both lunch and 9 virtual reality dinner. Current vendors include The Bánh stations. Each station Mì Shop, Noli’s Pizzeria, Maharani Indian contains one VR Kitchen, ACTQ, Sofra Creperie, B Squared system, a 55” 4K tv and a couch. Each bay Burger, Briggs Bean, Kathmandu Momo, can be shared with up to 4 people and has Ela’s Creamery, and Backstretch Bar.

Family Fun In Omaha’s Shop Local Guide Urban Air Get ready to A C T I VAT E AWESOME at Urban Air Omaha! M o r e attractions than anywhere else, Urban Air Omaha features our Ropes Course, Climbing Walls, Warrior Course, Indoor playground and so much more! Urban Air Adventure Park is the perfect place for birthday parties or just a day of defying gravity with friends and family! Memberships starting at $6.99.For more information, go to urbanairomaha.com. Come Activate Awesome at Urban Air! Located at 156th and Q St.

30 years, where we focus on providing the best, customized shopping experience (and most fun atmosphere!) for all customers. Carrying over 100+ professional brands in hair/skin care, nail products, and cosmetics, there is never a beauty concern that we can’t address! Stop in during December for holiday specials all month long… featuring the Winter Liter Sale beginning December 13, with shampoo and conditioner liter prices starting at ONLY $14.95! For more information, visit https://beautyﬁrstnebraska. com.

Championship Martial Arts We offer fun, Popperista family-friendly At Popperista, instruction in a we infuse our clean and positive Midwest-grown environment. You popcorn with will find a staff great taste and of professional flavor, including instructors ready cheddar, butter, to help you achieve your full potential in a several blends friendly, courteous, and positive manner. of cheeses and, last but not least, 100% You will be treated as an individual, corn oil. Living in the Cornhusker State, this receiving personal attention and is a definite must! Our expert “poppers” at encouragement while progressing at your Popperista have satisfied taste buds since own pace. Whether you are a beginner 2014 with the most extraordinary flavors or an experienced student, we have a of popcorn you won’t find in just any store. program that will fit your schedule. It’s We’ve spent many hours perfecting the art like a family here, and we’d love for you to of popping by using only the finest kernels become a part of it. For more information, and ingredients to create some truly visit www.martialartsomaha.com. amazing flavored popcorn varieties. For more information, visit www.popperista.com. Romp N Roll Romp n’ Beauty First Roll is a Beauty First Salon & Store is the ONE kids’ gym destination for ALL your beauty needs! We that offers have been locally owned and operated for fun and December 2019 FamilyFunInOmaha DIGITAL ISSUE

educational Gym, Art, and Music classes for children from three months through five years old. We also offer Summer Camp and special programs like Kid’s Night Out and Parent’s Morning Out as well as the best birthday parties in Omaha! For more information, visit https://rompnroll.com/ omaha. MARCUS THEATRES Holiday Gift Card Deal at Marcus Theatres Now through January 5, get $5 in FREE Snack Cash with every $25 Marcus Gift Card purchase! Snack Cash can be used on all food and beverage purchases like popcorn, burgers, pizza and more! Now is the perfect time to stock up on Marcus gift cards for you and everyone on your list: For more information, visit http://bit.ly/2PTQKgi GIVE THE GIFT OF SUMMER FUN AT FUN-PLEX This holiday season, give the gift of Summer Fun! Fu n - P l e x tickets and season passes make great gifts for all the fun-lovers on your list. The Fun-Plex Annual ‘Tis the Season Sale offers the best prices of the year on day and season passes! For more information, visit https://funplex.com/news/holiday-sale-2019/?utm_ source=FFIO&utm_medium=Fun-Plex%20 Holiday%20Campaign

How To Choose The Best Volunteer Activities For Your Family By: Sandi Schwartz

olunteering as a family is such a wonderful way to bond and to feel better overall. When we make others happy, we experience an amazing biological phenomenon called a “helper’s high” that is the result of our brain releasing chemicals called endorphins. We experience an energy in our body that is similar to the rush we feel after we exercise. These positive feelings make our kids happier and healthier by reducing stress and anxiety and feelings of sadness, loneliness or depression. Finding the right family volunteer activities can be overwhelming at times. You may feel uncertain about what is expected and question whether your children can participate. It is so important that your children feel comfortable where you volunteer, get inspired by the work you do, and enjoy themselves. Without these three components, our children won’t reap all the amazing benefits of volunteering. Plus, we want them to love helping others so they continue to do so for a lifetime. When searching for the appropriate activity, consider the following priorities: Project Focus The first step is to brainstorm as a family to decide what types of volunteer activities you are interested in doing. Ask your children who they would like to help. Is there a particular cause they feel passionate about, such as feeding homeless people, making art for other children, helping animals, or visiting the elderly or sick? What interests, skills, and talents do your family members have? Do you prefer to be indoors or outdoors? Do you wish to work directly with people or do something quietly like painting or pulling weeds? The options are endless, so it is important to narrow down your choices and focus on projects that your family will get the most out of. Organization’s Mission Do your research before you sign up with a specific organization. Find out the group’s history and how it got started, the goals and mission, who its leaders are, and how it is funded. Check their website, search online for press coverage, and visit sites like www.charitywatch.org and www. charitynavigator.org. If possible, ask a current or past volunteer about the pros and cons of the organization. Getting a referral from someone you December 2019 FamilyFunInOmaha DIGITAL ISSUE

know is the best option, especially because your children will be participating. Location Next, you will want to make sure you search for projects that are close to home so you do not have to drag your kids far to volunteer. Check your local paper, call charitable organizations, or search online to find the perfect places for kids to volunteer in your area. Cost Although rare, check to see if there are any fees to volunteer. You may also want to consider any other costs involved like travel, equipment such as certain clothing required, or requested products or monetary donations. Time Commitment Decide how much time you have to volunteer. It could be once a week, once a month, or once a year. Start slow and gradually increase your involvement if the project is working out well. You may choose to volunteer with different organizations each time to expose your children to a wide variety of experiences. Age Range Guidelines Look for activities that your whole family can participate in. Before you commit to a project, check to see if there are any age requirements listed. It may take some hunting around, but you should be able to find age-appropriate options. Even babies can take part in nursing home visits, charity walks, and beach clean ups. Activity Expectations Before you show up, find out exactly what you will be doing. Will there be heavy lifting involved? Will you have to get down and dirty? Will the project be a boring and repetitive task that will make your kids annoyed? Make sure the activity is

something that your kids will actually enjoy before you invest your time. Safety No matter what, safety needs to come first when children are involved. Your kids may be scared to talk to strangers, so consider starting with familiar people and places. As they get older, you can start to venture out and expose them to more mature situations. Fun Factor Choose projects that involve your children in a fun way, but also teach and inspire them. Avoid topics and activities that are too serious and sad for young children. Be sure to engage with them afterwards and ask what they thought, and if they would be willing to do it again.

Find 10 Places to Volunteer with Kids in Omaha here! << >>

6 Ways to Save Time and Money This Holiday Shopping Season

(BPT) - No matter what holiday shoppers are looking for this season, there are two things on everyone’s list: saving time and saving money. Whether you’re making memories with friends and family, or enjoying some JOMO (joy of missing out) cozied up with a holiday flick and treat, we all wish we had more time over the holidays. Picking out the perfect gift for everyone on your list can also be a drain on your free time — and your wallet — with The National Retail Federation predicting that holiday spending will increase approximately 4% this year. This holiday season, simplify your shopping with these six easy tips so you can save both time and money and get back to enjoying “the most wonderful time of the year” with family and friends.

they love — but comparing prices during the holidays can feel like an extra job. Luckily, you can track the best deals without spending much time or energy this season. Customize your gift search, or, simply sign up for “Watch a Deal” alerts and receive alerts when items you’ve had an eye on drop in price. Also, thrifty shoppers can check out Bargains to find savings on a vast selection all in one place.

Don’t stress over gifting. Finding the perfect gift can be overwhelming! Eliminate the stress by starting with curated gift guides on top categories like Toys, Electronics, Books and Luxury Beauty. They’re a great way to see what’s popular this season and get gift ideas for anyone on your list. Plus, you can even sort by Set a budget — and stick to it. With shoppers expected to spend price, making it easy to stay on budget by finding gifts at the right more this year, setting a budget will be as important as ever, and price point. Still can’t find the perfect gift? A gift card will allow a great first step in managing holiday spending. Sticking to your you to set the budget you want, and everyone can find something budget can be difficult, but there are plenty of ways to save. For they love from a wide selection of products. many, purchasing in cash adds a level of accountability and is a key way to keep holiday spending on track. Try paying with cash Delivery your way. Once lists are checked twice and shopping even when shopping online, with helpful resources like Amazon is complete, select convenient shipping and delivery options Cash and Amazon PayCode. that work best for your holiday schedule. Amazon Day gives Prime members peace of mind knowing that their purchases Shop online — but know where to shop to get the best prices. will conveniently arrive on the day of their choice, and are This year, according to PwC’s 2019 Holiday Outlook, more than consolidated into fewer boxes whenever possible. In addition half of customers (54%) will shop online. Save time and money by to other flexible delivery options like Amazon Key, shoppers can shopping with a one-stop location. A recent report by Profitero make use of secure pickup options as well. Eliminate the worry of stated that Amazon is set to beat U.S. online retailers on pricing ruining a surprise or transporting packages by using self-service throughout the holiday season by 20% on average across key Amazon Lockers, staffed Amazon Locker+ pickup and return consumer shopping categories. locations or visiting a staffed Counter location. Shop with Prime. ’Tis the season of busy schedules and eleventh- This holiday season, give yourself the gift of saving time and hour needs. Whether you’re looking for last-minute ingredients money so you can spend the holidays doing more of what you or the best playlist for a holiday gathering, Prime can help you love with the people you love most. save time and get everything you need this holiday season. In addition to getting the best of shopping and entertainment, Prime members have access to exclusive perks to help navigate the holiday season — from free ultrafast grocery delivery when you need something in a pinch, to early access on the hottest holiday deals. Look out for deals. Everyone wants to score deals on products December 2019 FamilyFunInOmaha DIGITAL ISSUE

3 Holiday Activities to Engage with Loved Ones

ny time can be the right time to enjoy memorable moments with pack it with items like family-favorite recipes; notes about significant family members, but the holidays present a special opportunity events from that year like births, weddings, graduations and more; to have meaningful conversations and interactions with loved ones. copies of newspapers detailing high-profile happenings; and pictures, drawings and notes from the year. One of the best ways to spark creativity and generate memories is through activities that get the conversation started, whether it’s If you’re patient enough to wait, try leaving the contents undisturbed remembering favorite moments from the past or simply sharing at least five years to give the memories even more meaning when notes of appreciation. This holiday season, consider these activity the time comes to relive those special moments. ideas from the Funeral and Memorial Information Council, which created the “Have the Talk of a Lifetime” initiative to encourage Memories Tablecloth families to facilitate conversations that become invaluable when To help keep important family footnotes front and center during the time comes to honor a loved one. future celebrations, a memorial tablecloth provides each person an opportunity to personalize a piece of popular decor. As you gather While these conversations can be difficult to engage in and even around the table for holiday meals, ask each family member to harder to begin, the natural bonding moments that stem from jot down a favorite memory or something he or she is thankful for activities like these can help make the process easier. along with a signature and date. Gratitude Tree Start a new tradition by creating a gratitude tree, a simple decoration you can look forward to using each year as a reminder of what you and your family are thankful for.

You can make it an annual event by using the same tablecloth each year and, before long, it will be filled with personal memories as a way to cherish relationships as time goes on. Just use an appropriately sized, inexpensive white canvas drop cloth. Place fabric markers in the center of the table before inviting guests to To make a gratitude tree, collect twigs or branches, dry them out participate, and to help distinguish each year, try using different and cut them to the desired lengths. Put the branches in a vase or colored markers. decorative container. Punch holes at the tops of fall-colored paper to be used as tags then instruct guests to write what they’re grateful Find more ways to celebrate the holidays with your loved ones at for on each tag. talkofalifetime.org. Take turns reading the tags and tie them to the branches then keep the handwritten tags in a safe place until they can be read again each holiday season. Over the years, as the tree fills up, you’ll have a lifetime of memories to share. Time Capsule Making a holiday-inspired time capsule can help strengthen family bonds while preserving treasured memories and creating opportunities for future holidays when it’s time to reopen the contents. Use a sealed container or plastic bag to protect items from moisture and mold then place the container in a box that can be decorated and stored in a safe place with related holiday decorations. Mark on the container the date it was created for future reference, and December 2019 FamilyFunInOmaha DIGITAL ISSUE

Christmas Traditions- Out with the Old and in with the New! By: Amy McClure

rowing up, every Christmas Eve my family would feast on spaghetti and meatballs. My grandmother had a secret meatball recipe and a 3-day, labor intensive sauce she would make. One year, we burnt the sauce and the next year we realized how easy frozen meatballs are. Sometimes traditions change, you want to start something new or you need to adapt old traditions to fit your lifestyle. It’s okay to release yourself from old traditions and start new ones. Perhaps you recently moved away from family, have young children, are merging two families or are just looking to start some new traditions; read on for some simple ways to make the holidays memorable! A Book a Day until Christmas Throughout the year, collect old Christmas books from thrift stores or library sales until you have 25 books, then each night in December, read a book aloud. It’s fun to end with “The Night Before Christmas” on Christmas Eve, and your favorite Christmas story on Christmas morning. It’s extra special if each family member wakes up to a book in their stocking. Elf on the Shelf or Mary and Joseph on the Move Elf on the shelf has grown in popularity the last few years. Not only does it capture the imagination of young children, but it hopefully helps with good behavior during the chaos of the Christmas season. For Christian families, the idea of “Mary and Joseph on the move” has grown in popularity. Mary, Joseph and the Donkey start at one end of the house and move a little closer towards the stable each night until Christmas; Jesus is kept hidden until Christmas morning. This can also incorporate bible passages, or any incremental retelling of the Christmas story. The Tree Cutting down a tree may be something you’ve done every year, but if it’s no longer working for your family, it’s okay to make the switch to artificial. There are so many options for artificial trees, and starting a tradition around decorating rather than cutting down a tree is fine. Traditions are meant to serve us, not the other way around, so if you’ve been eyeing those fake trees for a while, make the jump and don’t look back!

trampoline so we spray-painted the springs white and dressed them up into snowman ornaments. As an adult it’s fun to look back and see a different craft ornament from each year. Some years it was as simple as painted glass balls...don’t set yourself up for an elaborate Pinterest fail but start with something easy and attainable. Find Free Experiences The month of December can get so expensive with the decorations, parties, gift giving and other festivities leading up to the actual day of Christmas. Find traditions that are free or low cost. Maybe your family has gone to the Nutcracker ballet every year, but you are looking for something with a smaller price tag. Find a free concert, a high school choral event or a mall band concert to still get the experience of going to a show without the price tag. Or depending on the age of your kids, have a Christmas music dance party in your living room in pjs, with hot chocolate and blasting Christmas tunes. Looking at Christmas lights is always free, and try a special snack or drink in the car to make it memorable. Santa Sitting on Santa’s lap is a memorable yearly ritual for many kids, but what do you do when Santa is no longer age appropriate? Teach kids about the joy of becoming Santa themselves. Get your kids involved in doing little secret Santa deeds for friends, neighbors or someone in need. The month of December is a great time to help kids focus on those around them who could use a little joy in their lives. You don’t have to do anything elaborate, but perhaps your kids notice their classmate doesn’t have mittens, and you could find a way to secretly gift them mittens. The more kid-led the better, and you will probably be touched by the extent of their generosity. Regardless of what your traditions have been, don’t be afraid to try something new. Just because you do something one year does not mean you are bound to it every year for the rest of your life. See what works for you and your family, and you can always come back to old traditions or experiment with new ones. The point is to let the traditions help you make memories rather than stress you out.

Make Ornaments Some families get matching ornaments every year, but it’s fun to make a special ornament every year too. Growing up, we would make a dozen of the same kind of ornaments to give out to relatives. The ornament usually had to do with something from the year and involved recycled materials. One year, we had a terrible wind storm that ruined our December 2019 FamilyFunInOmaha DIGITAL ISSUE

3 DIY Decor Projects for the Holiday Season

(BPT) – Are you looking for fun ways to spend time with loved ones this holiday season? Crafting DIY decorations is a perfect way to do so, providing an opportunity for you to get creative and make cheerful and festive pieces you’ll cherish all season long. Another perk of making delightful holiday creations is making memories – which is what the season is really about. So, fill your mugs with cider or hot cocoa and get ready for some holiday happiness with these three easy DIY decor projects the whole family will enjoy! Project 1: PEEPS® Marshmallow Trees Centerpiece Pro DIY tip: PEEPS® Marshmallow candies aren’t only a tasty treat, but they’re also an adorable addition to crafts and recipes! With seasonal marshmallow shapes such as Snowmen, Trees, Reindeer and Gingerbread Men, the opportunities to craft are endless. This fun and the festive centerpiece will adorn your table and be enjoyed by all of your guests this holiday season. Items needed: * 6×6″ glass square vase * Foam insert * Faux or fresh greenery of your choice (evergreens, eucalyptus, etc.) * Pine cones and berries * Three 9ct packages of PEEPS® Marshmallow Trees Instructions: 1. Stack PEEPS® Marshmallow Trees around the inside of the vase to fill up the sides. 2. Cut the foam insert so it fits nicely at the bottom of the vase. 3. Add your greenery into the foam and arrange to your taste. 4. Add pine cones and berries as accent pieces to complete your centerpiece. Project 2: Creative Globe Ornaments These colorful baubles can be customized exactly as you desire. Have fun being creative with your family and hanging them on the tree or on the garland. These also make a great gift! Items needed: * Clear plastic ornaments with a metal top found at any craft store * Paint, confetti, candy and other interesting extras for inside * Ribbon Instructions:

2. Add in creative mixtures in the top hole. For example, add paint and swirl around, add your favorite mixture of confetti or even sand and small shells from a recent trip. 3. Replace the metal top with a dab of glue to adhere and add a bow with ribbon. 4. Use ribbon to hang the ornament and enjoy it! Project 3: No-Sew Sock Snowman This simple yet adorable doorstopper only requires a few items to bring holiday cheer to your home! This craft is a great way to bond with your kids over a festive, yet functional item that can live in the kids’ bedrooms or in a common space for everyone to enjoy. This doorstopper will help bring your beloved outdoor snowman, indoors! Items needed: * 1 white sock * 1 colored sock for the hat * Rice * Rubber bands (or thread) * Colorful buttons * Ribbons * Hot glue gun – please use extreme caution when operating a hot glue gun * Markers or paint * Orange pom poms Instructions: * Start by filling your white sock with rice. You will need a hefty amount. * Once you are happy with the amount (and size) of your sock snowman tie the top with the rubber band. * Take another rubber band and place in the middle – more to the upper side – of the rice-filled sock to form the head shape. * Now glue the buttons to the bottom side by using a glue gun. * Add a ribbon for the scarf. * Cut the colored sock (the foot without the heel) and fold it to appear as a snow hat for the head of your snowman. You can leave it as it is or you can secure it with some glue. * Use markers or paint with colors of your choice to draw eyes and a mouth on the face of the snowman. * Glue a singular orange pom-pom to the face of the snowman to represent a carrot nose. The holidays are a time to deck the halls and spend quality time with friends and family. With these three projects, you can to do both at the same time! For more craft ideas for the whole family, visit www.peepsbrand. com/recipes-crafts or follow the PEEPS® brand on Pinterest.

1. Spread out newspaper or other covering to protect work surface December 2019 FamilyFunInOmaha DIGITAL ISSUE

Matías Reyes-Torres Mia Taylor

Sweet, Festive Fun (Family Features) Holiday celebrations call for recipes of all kinds, but perhaps the most popular area at many parties is the dessert table. Add flavor to your gettogethers with a festive treat like these Peppermint Shortbread Cookies, which call for the seasonal taste of peppermint and the versatility of dairy for a sweet bite after a holiday meal. Find more recipes for the holidays at milkmeansmore.org.

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup peppermint crunch baking chips

Peppermint Shortbread Cookies

On wax paper or parchment paper, form dough into 12-14-inch log and freeze at least 30 minutes, or until firm. Heat oven to 350° F. Cut shortbread dough into 1/4inch slices; bake 13-15 minutes on parchment-lined baking sheets.

Recipe courtesy of Rachel Gurk of “Rachel Cooks” on behalf of Milk Means More

Prep time: 15 minutes, plus 30 minutes freeze time Cook time: 15 minutes Servings: 40

2-2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened 3/4 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon salt

In stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and salt until smooth. Gradually add flour and mix on low until combined. Add baking chips and continue mixing on low until fully combined.

Merry & Bright at Lauritzen Gardens You’re invited to experience a multitude of festive delights! Enjoy gingerbread houses, a candy cane lane, festive music, visits with Santa Claus, brilliant indoor and outdoor light displays, and the majestic 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree. Cozy up by the fire, art at lifesized Lite-Brite® trees, play games in the Family Chill Zone, watch the action at the wildlife trees, write letters to Santa, and enjoy the sights and sounds of model garden trains. Delight in the joy of the holidays and create extraordinary memories with your family and friends at the garden this winter. No matter your age, the holiday season at Lauritzen Gardens is sure to beMerry & Bright! Holiday Poinsettia Show- An Omaha holiday tradition! See thousands of poinsettias on display from November 23 through January 5. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day Bright Nights- The indoor gardens will be illuminated on select nights from 5 to 8 p.m. November 23, 24, 27 and 30. December 1, 7, 8, 14-23, 2630. January 2-5. During Bright Nights events, S’mores kits will be available for purchase from the café and guests may roast marshmallows. Visits with Santa- The North Pole’s greatest ambassador will stop at the garden to spread some holiday cheer and hear holiday wishes from garden guests! December 7, 14, or 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. December 8 or 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. Holiday Cheers: A Festive Evening for Adults 21+ Thursday, December 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. Get into the holiday spirit at this ultra-merry event for adults only! Space is limited, complete your reservations at lauritzengardens.org.

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FAMILY FEATURES

rom decorating the tree to carving the turkey, there are many time-honored holiday traditions observed by families around the country. However, the holiday season is about more than just celebrating old traditions. A perfect opportunity for creating new memories and, in turn, traditions, popcorn can serve as an ideal ingredient to bring family time to life. Whether wrapping the tree with garland made from the light and airy treat, filling clear ornaments with freshly popped kernels or simply popping up a bowl as a nutritious alternative to other holiday noshes, popcorn makes it easy to get hands-on while you deck the halls. These seasonal recipes for traditional treats like peppermint bark and popcorn balls plus edible trees and a more elegant take on a simple snack highlight low-fat, non-GMO, gluten-free whole-grain popcorn as the main ingredient. Find more modern takes on traditional holiday recipes at popcorn.org.

PoP UP Holiday Traditions New and Old

Easy, Elegant Holiday Popcorn

Yield: 8 cups 8 cups popped popcorn 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips 1/2 cup white chocolate chips candy sprinkles Line baking sheet with wax paper. Spread popcorn in thin layer on prepared pan. Place chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium 30 seconds; stir. If necessary, microwave in additional 10-second increments, stirring after each heating, until chips are melted and smooth. Drizzle over popcorn. Place white chocolate chips in separate microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium 30 seconds; stir. If necessary, microwave in additional 10-second increments, stirring after each heating, until chips are melted and smooth. Drizzle over popcorn. Sprinkle desired amount of candy sprinkles over warm chocolate-coated popcorn. Allow chocolate drizzles to set until firm. Break popcorn into pieces. Note: Chocolate chips can be replaced with cut up chocolate bars.

Easy, Elegant Holiday Popcorn

Cranberry Popcorn Balls

Yield: 18 balls 2 cups sugar 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, slightly mashed 1 tablespoon grated orange peel 1/2 cup cranberry juice 1/2 cup light corn syrup 1 teaspoon vinegar 1/2 teaspoon salt 5 quarts unsalted, popped popcorn butter In heavy saucepan, combine sugar, cranberry sauce, grated orange peel, cranberry juice, corn syrup, vinegar and salt. Bring to boil; lower heat and cook until temperature reaches 250 F on candy thermometer. Slowly pour cranberry mixture onto hot popcorn; mix until well-coated. Let stand 5 minutes, or until mixture can easily be formed into balls. Butter hands and form into 3-inch balls.

White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn Bark

White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn Bark Yield: 1 pound 5 cups popped popcorn 12 ounces white chocolate baking chips 1 cup crushed hard candy peppermints Cover baking pan with foil or wax paper; set aside. Place popcorn in large bowl; set aside. In double boiler over barely simmering water, melt chocolate, stirring until smooth. Stir in crushed peppermints. Pour chocolate mixture over popcorn and stir to coat. Spread onto prepared pan; cool completely. When chocolate is cooled and set, break into chunks.

Festive Popcorn Trees

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Cranberry Popcorn Balls

Festive Popcorn Trees

Yield: 10 trees 10 cups air-popped popcorn 1 bag (10 ounces) miniature marshmallows 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract nonstick cooking spray green decorating sugar blue decorating sugar 1 tube white frosting small, colorful candies such as sprinkles and miniature silver dragees Place popcorn in large bowl. In medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stir marshmallows and butter until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract. Pour mixture over popcorn in bowl. Toss well to coat popcorn evenly. Line baking sheet with foil. Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray then scoop about 1 cup popcorn mixture. Shape mixture into cone, keeping base flat to form tree. Sprinkle tree with decorating sugars; place tree on baking sheet. Make nine additional trees. Using decorating tip, pipe frosting on trees to make garland then decorate with sprinkles and silver dragees, as desired. Serving suggestion: Place each tree on sugar cookie and decorate serving tray with shredded coconut to resemble snow. Notes: For best flavor and color, start recipe with unflavored white popcorn. You can make colored sugar by adding food coloring to sugar then stirring in bowl or shaking vigorously in sealed container. Add additional food coloring for more intense tones.

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Now Playing! BY BACKLAR U P PO AND DEM

Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin. Music by Matthew Sklar. Lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Based on the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum. Originally produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures In association with Unique Features Elf The Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com.

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