Momaha December 2022

We’re Here When Your Child Needs Specialized ENT Care

When that sore throat keeps coming back or ear infections stick around too long, you can trust the experts at Boys Town Ear, Nose and Throat to care for your family

Backed by more than 40 years of research, our physicians specialize in treating problems ranging from chronic ear, nose and throat illnesses to complex head and neck disorders that call for specialized surgical care.

You don’t need a referral to see an ear, nose and throat specialist. Call a clinic near you to schedule an appointment today.

SCAN TO LEARN MORE about the services offered at Boys Town Ear, Nose and Throat.

Four Locations Across the Metro

Pacific Street Clinic 14080 Hospital Road (139th & Pacific, on Boys Town Campus) 531-355-6800

72nd Street Clinic 7205 W Center Road Suite 103 531-355-6540

Downtown Clinic 555 N 30th Street 531-355-6540

Council Bluffs Clinic 320 McKenzie Ave. Suite 202 712-256-5272

Ear, Nose & Throat

boystownhospital.org

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 12 DECEMBER 2022

editor in chief KILEY CRUSE cruse@owh.com 402-444-1375

consulting editor COURTNEY BRUMMER-CLARK cbclark@owh.com 402-444-3118

assistant editor MARJIE DUCEY marjie.ducey@owh.com 402-444-1034

contributors

RACHEL GEORGE KORI RADLOFF KRIS HALLSTROM THE BOOKWORM designer EMILY SHULLLAW cover photo

KILEY CRUSE custom publishing sales coordinator NICK CAVALLARO nick.cavallaro@owh.com 402-444-1202

Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 600, Omaha, NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2022 by the Omaha WorldHerald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.

Every child, everywhere, deserves the very best. It’s why Children’s Hospital & Medical Center combines the largest group of pediatric specialties in the region, the most advanced technology and the biggest hearts all in one place. Together, in this safe and welcoming environment of excellence, we’re shaping the future of pediatric medicine to deliver the very best for kids. Visit ChildrensOmaha.org or call 1.800.833.3100 to find a physician near you.

Magni cent and inspiring linoleum block prints by Daniel Minter bring joy to this Kwanzaa celebration.

‘HANUKKAH NIGHTS’ BOARD BOOK by Amalia Ho man

kids into the spirit of the season

‘THE SNOWY NAP’ by

Jan Brett

A chill is in the air, and as Hedgie trundles around the farm all his friends tell him of the winter-time fun he will

miss as he hibernates: Icicles decorating the chicken coop! Lisa making snowmen! The pond turned to slippery ice!

‘MOO, BAA, FA-LA-LA’ by

Sandra Boynton

North Pole … Through dark forests, over tall mountains and across a barren desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the huge city standing alone at the top of the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish. For millions of readers around the world, this mysterious journey to the North Pole has become a beloved Christmas classic.

‘SEVEN SPOOLS OF THREAD’ by Angela Shelf Medeari illustrated by Daniel Minter

‘12 LITTLE ELVES VISIT NEBRASKA’

by Trish Madson

illustrated by Valeria Danilova

Twelve charming elves travel throughout Nebraska to see who is still awake before Santa comes. Along the way, they visit state landmarks and curiosities, all bedecked in holly and holiday fun. From Carhenge to Chimney Rock to Cornhusker Stadium to the Old Market and Lied Jungle, these little elves race toboggans at Courthouse and Jail Rocks, sh for cat sh on Majestic Lake Mac, and fall in love with the world’s largest porch swing in Hebron. Their last stop? Your home, of course. Jump in bed!

The cast from the bestselling “Moo, Baa, La La La!” has returned with a silly holiday twist! ‘Tis the season to be jolly, so sing along with caroling sheep, giggling pigs, and dancing cows as they celebrate Christmas with this merry tune.

‘THE POLAR EXPRESS’

by Chris Van Allsburg

A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical train to the

In an African village live seven brothers who make family life miserable with their constant ghting. When their father dies, he leaves an unusual will: by sundown, the brothers must make gold out of seven spools of thread. If they fail, they will be turned out as beggars. Using the Nguzo Saba, or “seven principles” of Kwanzaa, the author has created an unforgettable story that shows how family members can pull together, for their own good and the good of the entire community.

Follow along as, one by one, eight bright colors light up the dark Hanukkah nights. Sponge or spatter, scrape or stamp each light is painted in a unique style. Learn how to paint Hanukkah lights in different textures, too.

‘HANUKKAH STORIES’ by Nancy Rips Hanukkah Stories is lled with over 101 stories of personal memories, anecdotes, and tales from celebrities to people like you and me. Here you’ll nd heartwarming reminiscences about Hanukkah experiences across the globe from an RV campground in California, on the ice in Finland, even aboard Spaceship Hubble. There’s also a chapter just for latkes, including the new chocolate chip ones. Hanukkah is a joyful holiday. Whatever one’s religion, it’s a testament to the universal human values of dedication, perseverance, generosity, and remembrance. Whether it’s sharing stories with our families today or passing on traditions for tomorrow’s generation, Hanukkah is a festival of family, celebration and joy.

Bookworm. Located at 90th and Center Streets, The Bookworm is an independent, family-owned bookstore with over 6,000-square-feet of space.

children’s section and friendly, knowledgeable staff who know the books they sell. Learn more at www.bookwormomaha.com.

SHARING I S C ARING

‘Tis the season of giving, although your child may be having difficulty doing just that.

Sharing is a critical aspect of play for little ones. It may seem like a daunting task. However, helping little ones lear n to share can teach emotional regulation and build stronger relationships in the future.

While your 1- or 2-year-old may not understand sharing yet, you can still begin to demonstrate for your child when it is appropriate to share. Practicing sharing with your child is important as you are their first teacher, and they lear n best from you.

Sharing can be a frustrating process for not only you, but also your child. Even as adults we struggle to share. Try to see these moments of struggle and big emotions as an opportunity to teach your child compassion and problem-solving.

SHARING TAKES PRACTICE

Most children do not fully understand the concept of sharing until age 3 or 4. At home, you can begin by reading books about sharing to your child, giving them a framework for what this can look like. Modeling sharing is a great way to integrate practice into your daily life.

If you are having a snack, offer them a bite. When your child offers to share with you, let them know you notice by saying “Thank you for sharing with me,” or “It makes me happy when you share with me.”

Around ages 3 and 4, you can start practicing taking tur ns, encouraging problem-solving and reflecting on the big feelings that come with.

TAKING TURNS

Taking tur ns is a way of sharing that can teach children about the “back and forth” concept that

is necessary for not only sharing items, but also a foundation of back-and-forth communication. These communication skills develop qualities such as empathy and self-esteem in our little ones.

Taking tur ns is the reality of how adults share and can be a more relatable way for our little ones to lear n as well. Timers, especially visual ones, are a great way to facilitate taking tur ns. This will help them realize they will get that object back, and it is not gone forever.

TACKLING FEELINGS

While children are waiting for

their tur n, be sure to support them through the big emotions that they may experience. When big feelings occur, remember one thing: stay calm!

Once your child has calmed down, you can use this time to coach them for the next time it is not their tur n by helping them identify those big emotions and what they can do to talk about those feelings next time.

Using phrases such as, “I see that you’re upset. It’s OK to be upset sometimes,” can help children identify emotions and validate their feelings in that situation. Encourage children on

what they can do next time, “Next time when you want something your friend has, let’s ask, ‘May I have a tur n?’”

Keep in mind that oftentimes when it comes to taking tur ns and sharing, you are talking about your little ones’ prized possessions, and there are times when it’s OK not to share.

SHARING THROUGH PLAY

Finally, a fantastic way to teach your child to consider those around them is through play. Our little ones are incredibly creative and will never fail to surprise you with the great pretend play ideas

they come up with.

Asking them things like “We only have one train toy and we both want to play with it, what should we do?” will empower your child to be creative in sharing and problem-solving.

The more we encourage our children to be compassionate problem-solvers, the more likely they are to become just that.

It’s never too early to ask questions about your child’s development. Take advantage of free early intervention services through your school district. Call 402-597-4936 or visit our website at omahaedn.esu3.org.

It’s that time of year again and the quest for the perfect present for the kids in your life has begun. Where do you find a gift that is exciting, but also educational, inspiring, will help them build lifelong skills — and maybe let you spend some quality time together as well?

The best gift, research suggests, is an experience. The Journal of Consumer Research recently found that giving an experience as a gift instead of a thing forges stronger bonds between people.

Thankfully, The Rose Theater has a variety of experiential gifts for children ages 2 to 18.

“Live theater and theater education have a crucial role in developing the minds and hearts of our young people,” Rose artistic director Matthew Gutschick says. “Plus, it’s an experience that involves enjoyable quality time spent as a family.”

Here are some ways you can give the gift of theater this holiday season.

THE GIFT OF THEATER KEEPS ON GIVING

reading the book, bring the message home by volunteering as a family to help people in your community.

• “Beauty and The Beast”: The princesses in your life will feel like real royalty when they unwrap tickets to see The Rose’s production of the classic fairy tale. Whether you include a few fun dress-up items, an appropriately-themed Lego kit, or a loveable Funko Pop, it’s a gift that is sure to be a “tale as old as time.”

CREATE MEMORIES WITH A FAMILY MEMBERSHIP

When you give a Rose family membership, you give a family the opportunity to spend quality time together in a fun, entertaining atmosphere. A basic Rose membership for a family of four includes four tickets to each of the remaining shows in the season — a total of 16 tickets for a recently discounted price of just $80! Other packages are available for larger families, so there are no worries about finding the perfect fit.

Gift-giving suggestions:

• Family membership: Package a gift membership with a photo album and encourage the recipients to take a picture of themselves at each show. Include gift certificates for a favorite restaurant or ice cream shop to help them start a family theater night tradition.

NURTURE A BUDDING ARTIST’S TALENTS

For a gift that truly keeps on giving, give the children in your life a Rose class. The Rose offers dance, musical theater, voice and acting technique classes throughout the school year. Many classes feature students on stage at The Rose and at The Rose Studios for Youth Artists, complete with costumes, sets, professional lighting and more. Classes are available for students ages 2 to 18, with prices starting at $30 per month.

Gift-giving suggestions:

SEE A SHOW!

Watching a show is a great way to spend time with your family. You can experience the magic of theater at The Rose for just $25 to $32 per ticket (less, if you purchase them at any Hy-Vee customer service counter). A performance at The Rose is certain to give children an experience they will remember for a lifetime.

Package those tickets with a few fun addons for a present that is certain to pack a punch.

Gift-giving suggestions:

• “The Lightning Thief”: Wrap up a copy of the popular book (or even the entire

series) by Rick Riordan to read during the holiday break, then plan a special night together in anticipation of seeing The Rose’s production of the hit musical in January. (Bonus: the Disney+ series about Percy Jackson is scheduled to hit the airwaves in 2024, giving your family plenty of time to read the entire series!)

• “Havana Hop”: Bring a little bit of the tropics to your holidays with a gift inspired by The Rose’s upcoming production of “Havana Hop.” Kids will love some Cuban-inspired musical instruments like bongo drums or maracas, and you will love watching them discover a love of music. Be sure to plan a family salsa night and find

your own unique beat!

• “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales”: The laughter won’t stop when you unwrap “The Stinky Cheese Man.” Start with the picture book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, then challenge your family to create their own twisted fairy tales to share. (Bonus points for serving a charcuterie board of the stinkiest cheeses you can find!)

• “Last Stop on Market Street” : Packaging show tickets with a copy of this award-winning book by Matt de la Peña is an easy choice. Car- and truck-obsessed young ones will be thrilled to unwrap a toy bus and a playmat featuring lots of city streets. After

• Dance class: An embroidered shoe bag featuring the gift recipient’s name ensures your student is ready for ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz and more. You can even add fun attire to wear to class.

• Musical theater class: Purchase your performer a favorite Broadway soundtrack and vocal music book.

No matter what you choose, the real gift you are giving is the gift of memories. When you give an experience, children learn to value knowledge, creativity and personal interactions, rather than material possessions. And that is truly a gift of a lifetime.

For more information on experiential gifts available at The Rose Theater, call 402-3454849 or visit rosetheater.org.

THE ROSE THEATER PHOTOS

We are happy to once again be par ticipating in Conagra ’s Shine The Light on Hunger campaign. Bring a non perishable food item to donate to Food Bank for the Hear tland and receive discounted admission! Receive $1 discount per food item donated to a maximum of $2 per ticket , or family/group maximum of $12. Mos t needed items include peanut but ter, canned tuna and chicken, macaroni and cheese, and canned fruit s and veget ables. Together, we can raise 1.75 million meals for our neighbors experiencing hunger and food insecurit y this holiday season. Donations are accepted from November 25 through December 31.

Tips for dealing with

STRESS HOLIDAY

KRIS HALLSTROM

Boys Town

Most people’s childhood memories of the holidays are pretty special. Christmas trees, Santa Claus, TV specials, classic Christmas movie marathons, brightly-lit homes, homemade cookies, and dreams of opening the perfect present, all made it a magical time of the year as a child.

Back then, you were on the receiving end of all that holiday joy. As an adult, you now nd yourself responsible for a to-do list that you feel must be done in order to make everyone else’s holiday shiny and bright. The holidays haven’t changed: but you certainly have.

First — Why are people stressed during such happy times?

• Holiday functions: Juggling your usual daily activities can be stressful, but

adding additional get-togethers with family, friends, work, church and school, can ll up your calendar quickly.

• Holiday cooking: More gatherings, equals more food preparation, and more grocery shopping. People are often overwhelmed not only with what food to make, but the amount of cooking can be expensive and tiring.

• Holiday gifts: Besides budgeting nancially for gift giving, it also takes time to think of gift ideas, shop, wrap the gift, ship the gift, etc.

• Holiday health: Late nights, multiple activities, and long lists of things to get done can certainly be stressful. Stress can impact sleep and eating patterns which can leave you feeling tired and worn out if you aren’t careful.

• Holiday tension: Stress, lack of sleep, and generally feeling overwhelmed can

often create disagreements, frustrations and resentments between family members. What can you do to help ease some of the holiday stress for yourself and your family?

• Family schedule: Post a calendar of upcoming events where everyone can clearly see it. Not having to remind everyone else what is going on each day is one less item for you to do.

• Make lists: Make individual lists for groceries, gifts, cleaning, decorating, etc. This can take that stress out of your head and organize it on paper. Check marks for completing tasks can be very rewarding during stressful times!

• Watch your budget: Put a limit on your spending, and don’t feel like you have to buy spectacular presents. Model for your family that gifts aren’t the only reason for the season.

• Share the load: Ask for help in

advance — before you are stressed. Make to-do lists for your family members. You don’t need to do it all!

• Minimize your demands on yourself and others: Be realistic, simplify — enjoy the season.

• Don’t expect perfection from yourself or others: Something is going to go wrong this season. Be ready for mishaps, x what you can, and don’t let imperfections spoil the celebration.

• Keep the peace: Avoid arguments. Seek forgiveness. Don’t bring up past grudges. Don’t criticize. Bite your tongue. Relax. Enjoy your family.

Your goal for the holidays should be to enjoy yourself, and to share happiness with your family and those around you. Create warm memories for your family now, so they too can look back on holidays as being a “magical” time. Happy Holidays!

ADOBE STOCK

COURTNEY BRUMMER-CLARK World-Herald Staff Writer

For many of us, holiday movies and television specials we watched in our childhood continue to be fond memories. They were evenings spent with feel good stories, songs, laughter and — sometimes — tears that took us away on magical holiday adventures.

Here are a few beloved titles from holidays past to share with your children and grandchildren:

1940s: No holiday season is ever truly complete without the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946). Starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, the film centers around character George Bailey, who is struggles to find his worth after a series of setbacks pushes him too far. Joined by his guardian angel, Clarence (played by Henry Travers), George gets a glimpse of what the

lives of his friends and family would have been like without him. The movie features the classic line, “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”

Other favorites from the decade include: “Holiday Inn” (1942), “Christmas in Connecticut” (1945), and “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947).

1950s: More than just a classic holiday song, “White Christmas” (1954) is a classic holiday movie. Starring crooner Bing Crosby and golden age of movie stars Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen, “White Christmas” is about two teams of performers — a song and dance team (Crosby and Kaye), and a sister act (Clooney and Ellen) — joining forces to save a failing hotel that is run by a retired military general. In addition to the title song “White Christmas”, the film also features musical favorites “Heat Wave” and “Sisters.”

Other favorites from the decade include:

“Pluto’s Christmas Tree” (1952) and “The Holly and the Ivy” (1952).

1960s: This was the decade of some of television’s most popular holiday specials. Animation ruled the holidays, and, among the most memorable of specials was “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965). The first TV special based on artist Charles Schulz’s comic strip, “Peanuts”, the show follows main character Charlie Brown’s personal quest to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas amid all of the commercialism that has come to surround the season. The special features fan favorite jazz and holiday music compilations by composer Vince Guaraldi, including “Linus and Lucy”, “Christmastime is Here” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”

Other favorites from the decade include: “Babes in Toyland” (1961), “Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer” (1964), “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (1966), “Little Drummer Boy” (1968) and “Frosty the Snowman” (1969).

1970s: Recently seeing a resurgence in popularity, “Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas” (1977 Canada, 1978 U.S.) brought the Muppets into the television holiday special fold. Produced by Jim Henson, it is the story of Emmet Otter and his widow mother. The impoverished duo work hard doing odd jobs around their community and often find themselves being cheated out of money. As Christmas approaches, they hear of a talent show in which the winner will receive $50. The tale is a twist on O. Henry’s story “The Gift of the Magi.” The special includes the melody “When the River Meets the Sea”, which was eventually performed by John Denver in 1979 and again at Henson’s funeral in 1990.

Other favorites from the decade include: “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” (1970), “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story” (1971), “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” (1974),

ABC

“A Charlie Brown Christmas”

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER “A Christmas Story”

and “A Year Without Santa Claus” (1974).

1980s: Trying to pick a favorite holiday classic of the 1980s could have many people saying, “Oooooooh fuuuuuuuuuuudggggggge.” But “A Christmas Story” (1983) is one of those holiday classics that sticks with you year-round. Based on the writings of author Jean Shepherd (who also narrates the film), “A Christmas Story” follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker (played by Peter Billingsley) as he tries to figure out how to get that one special thing for Christmas: a Red Ryder BB-gun with a compass in the stock and “this thing that tells time.” In addition to this, he has to navigate the trials and tribulations of elementary school and the hijinks within his own family. A sequel to the film, “A Christmas Story Christmas” — starring Billingsley and much of the original cast — was released in November and is available to watch on streaming service HBO Max. Other favorites from the decade include: “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” (1983), “A Garfield Christmas Special” (1987), “Scrooged” (1988), “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”

(1989), and “Prancer” (1989).

1990s: It was billed as the “family comedy without the family.” “Home Alone” (1990) has become a holiday tradition for all ages. The movie, written and produced by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus, follows the antics of 8-year-old Kevin McAllister (Macaulay Culkin in his break-out role) after his family accidentally goes on vacation for the holidays and leaves him behind. During the film, Kevin is confronted with two burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) and has to fend them off to protect his home. The film’s soundtrack by John Williams won the Academy Award for Best Original Score and Best Original Song, “Somewhere in My Memory”, which has also become a holiday classic. The movie also has a popular sequel, “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (1992).

Other favorites from the decade include: “The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992), “The Santa Clause” (1994), “Miracle on 34th Street” (1994), and “Jingle All the Way” (1996)

2000s: We know about Santa, but how much attention is given to the elves? In “Elf” (2003), comedian Will Ferrell give audiences a glimpse of what life is like for Santa’s helpers. Buddy the elf (Ferrell) — a human raised by Santa’s elves — goes on a quest to find his biological father (played by James Caan). While he finds kinship with Caan’s wife and son, and a friend in Zooey Deschanel, Buddy ultimately learns the meaning of family. The movie has been adapted to the stage in Broadway’s “Elf: The Musical” and a stopmotion television special, “Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas.”

Other favorites from the decade include: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000), “The Polar Express” (2004), “Christmas with the Kranks” (2004) and “Deck the Halls” (2006).

HUGHES ENTERTAINMENT

Handmade gifts

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Staff Writer

Are you struggling to find a unique gift for someone?

Would you like to give a fun gift to teachers or neighbors that won’t break the bank?

The last thing you probably want to do is spend money on a gift that’s going to sit unused. Consider spending an afternoon hand crafting some of your holiday gifts this year.

Giving a handmade gift lets the receiver know how much you care because you chose to put your time into creating something just for them.

Here are six reasons you should consider giving DIY holiday gifts a try this year. 1

. Handmade gifts are unique 2 . Handmade gifts are personal 3 . Handmade gifts show love

4. Handmade gifts are fun to make 5 . Handmade gifts are cost-effective 6 . Handmade gifts are thoughtful

We made five hand-crafted gifts that were relatively simple and they all put a smile on the recipients’ faces. We made a couple of each of the craft ideas, which kept the per gift cost down. Each of the items you’ll find on the next five pages individually cost $10 or less.

Hopefully one or more of these ideas will be perfect for someone on your gift-giving list. Happy Holidays!

Handmade holiday gifts can bring smiles to their recipients.

Hand-painted mugs and a tea tree pair well together for a gift.

KILEY CRUSE PHOTOS , THE WORLD-HERALD

OH CHRISTMAS TEA

DIY project a warm and tasty gift

KILEY CRUSE | World-Herald Staff Writer

Tea lovers are sure to ooh and aah over this adorable DIY gift. The difficulty scale is a little higher on this project than some of the other ideas we have, simply because you have to be careful not to burn your fingers while gluing the tea bags to the foam cone. This is a DIY that’s probably better suited to teens or adults. We made two sizes: using a mid-priced tea, the smaller tree cost $6 and the large tree $10.

TEA TREE

• 6- or 9-inch foam cone

• 2-inch clay pot

• Gold star or bow (see note)

• Tea bags (about 20 for 6-inch and 32 for

9-inch)

• Hot glue gun with glue

• Optional: Paint for pot

1. Decide if you want to paint the pot or leave it plain. You can paint it brown like a tree trunk, or red or green like a Christmas-colored pot. Paint the pot if desired and let dry.

2. Carefully put a layer of hot glue on the top of the pot and secure it to the center of the base of the foam cone.

3. Put a thin strip of hot glue along the top of the back side of a tea bag. Secure it to the foam cone, careful not to burn your fingers as you hold it until dry. Slightly overlap the tea bags as you go around the base of the cone. We used five tea bags on a 6-inch cone and six on a 9-inch cone for the base layer.

4

. About 1-1½ inches above the first layer, add a second layer of tea bags with hot glue. Continue working up the cone until you get to the top.

5. Add a gold star or bow to the top of the tree.

Notes: You can choose the tea based on the colors of the bags if you want a holiday-colored tree or you can choose the recipient’s favorite flavors. We found 1¼-inch gold wooden star stickers in the holiday crafts section at Hobby Lobby.

Add a think strip of hot glue to a tea package to glue to a styrofoam cone.

Hold the glued tea bags to a styrofoam cone until the glue dries.

KILEY CRUSE PHOTOS , THE WORLD-HERALD

Root beer reindeer take just minutes to make.

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Staff Writer

Root beer reindeer are a delightful, smile-inducing gift for just about anyone. For less than $7 we had

enough supplies (not including the root beer) to make reindeer on 28 bottles.

Better yet, it’s extremely simple. It took between 5 and 10 minutes to decorate up one 4-pack of root beer. (The first closer to 10 minutes, the second about 5

— once we knew what we were doing.)

And before you ask, there’s nothing stopping you from making an over-21 version. Just make sure you pick a beer with brown bottles because clear and green reindeer just aren’t as cute.

ROOT BEER REINDEER

• 4-pack bottles of root beer

6 brown pipe cleaners

8 10mm wiggle eyes

• 4 .25-inch red pom poms

• Hot glue gun with glue

• Wire cutters or scissors

• Optional: holiday paper and glue runner

. Cut two pipe cleaners into 2-inch segments.

2. Center a pipe cleaner on a bottle just under the ridge of the cap. Wrap around the bottle and twist one full turn on the back of the bottle. Positions the long “antlers” upward. You can trim them a bit if you like. We trimmed about ½-1 inch off each side to make them even and not quite so long.

3. Take one 2-inch pipe cleaner segment and wrap it around one of the antlers about 1 inch from the end. Position the pipe cleaners so they look like three points of an antler. Repeat with the second side.

4. Using a hot glue gun, position the eyes about an inch below the cap. Then glue a red pom pom on for the nose.

5. Repeat with three other bottles.

Optional: Use a sheet of holiday craft paper or wrapping paper to cover the cardboard container of the root beer bottles for a more festive look.

KILEY CRUSE PHOTOS , THE WORLD-HERALD

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Personalized photo candle another way to display fond memories

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Staff Writer

Any time you can personalize a gift it makes it all the more special. Adding a photo to a candle is a sure to put a smile on the receiver’s face.

The most difficult part of this craft is getting a photo printed on plain white paper by a laser printer. If you don’t have access to a laser printer at home, some area office supply stores will make prints for less than a dollar.

If you have photo editing software, save paper by putting multiple photos on one 8½-by-11-inch page.

PERSONALIZED PHOTO CANDLE

• White candle in a glass jar or candle in white ceramic jar

• Laser printed photo 2 inches tall

• Heavy-duty clear packing tape

1. Laser print a photo (or words) so the height is no more than 2 inches (the width of the tape). NOTE: An ink-jet printed photo will not work.

2. Cut off a piece of packing tape that is a couple inches wider than the photo. Carefully place the tape over the photo.

3. Cut out the strip of tape so there is about a half inch extra on both sides of the photo. Place in a bowl of lukewarm water for about 15 to 20 minutes.

4. Gently rub the wet paper off of the tape. The image will stay on the tape but if you rub too hard it will come off.

5. If all the paper doesn’t come off on the first try, you can soak it for another 5 minutes and try again.

6. Once all the paper is rubbed off the tape, set it sticky-side up on a paper towel to dry. Once it is completely dry it will be sticky again.

7. Carefully put photo tape on the outside of the candle.

NOTE: For photos with people, an image with a simple background works best.

KILEY CRUSE , THE WORLD-HERALD

Personalized photo candles require only a laser printed photo and heavy-duty packing tape.

HAPPINESS BY THE CUPFUL

PAINTED MUG

• Enamel glass paint

• Paint brushes

• Washi tape

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Staff Writer

You don’t have to be an artist to put a smile on someone’s face with their morning coffee.

This craft is great for all ages. All you need is glass paint and a little imagination. Dollar-store mugs make this an inexpensive craft as you can paint quite a few mugs with a bottle or two of paint.

Package the mug with some coffee, hot chocolate or cider mix and you have the perfect seasonal gift.

• Solid-colored coffee mug

• Rubbing alcohol

1. Wash the mug. Just prior to painting, wipe the surface with rubbing alcohol to remove any oils.

2. Paint any design on the mugs. You don’t want paint to get near the rim as it’s not recommended it touch liquids. For younger children (or messy painters) use painters tape or

washi tape to cover the rim to ¼-inch down from the rim. For a geometric pattern, add thin washi tape to the surface and remove it once the paint is dry.

3. Once you are done painting, allow the mug to dry per the instructions on the paint bottles.

4. To make the paint top-rack dishwasher safe, put the mug in a cold oven. Turn on the oven to the temperature on the paint bottle. Bake according to the paint manufacturer’s directions. Allow the mug to cool

completely before removing it from the oven.

Pro tip: Look at the instructions on the back of the paint bottles. We had multiple brands that required different baking temperatures so we put paints with similar curing instructions on a mug together.

Note: After running through the dishwasher on the top rack, our mugs came out unscathed. When we purposefully tried to scratch them, the FolkArt brand paints seemed to hold up slightly better than DecoArt brand.

COLD DAYS, WARM HANDS

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Staff Writer

While these reusable handwarmers were made using a sewing machine, I can assure you that only very basic sewing skills are required!

To make the hand warmers microwave-safe make sure you are using 100% cotton fabric and thread. A quick 15 seconds in the microwave and they will keep your fingers toasty as you are outside shoveling or playing in the snow. These warm up very quickly so if kids are using them, make sure they aren’t too hot before they get put into mittens.

HAND WARMERS

1. To make one pair of hand warmers, measure and cut two 3½-inch-by-6½-inch rectangles of fabric.

2

Fold fabric in half, print side inward, and pin. 3. Using a sewing machine (or hand stitching), sew at ¼-inch seam, sewing two sides shut completely and on the third side leave an opening about 1½ inches wide.

4. Fold squares inside out through the opening you left.

5. Using funnel, add ¼ cup of rice to each square.

6. Making sure the hem is tucked inside, pin the fill hole closed with a straight pin.

7. Using the sewing machine, sew an 1/8-inch seam along the fill side.

8. To use, put hand warmers in the microwave for about 15 seconds. They will stay warm for 15 to 20 minutes.

NOTE: You can use this same premise to make reusable hot/cold packs. We cut two pieces of fabric to 8-inches-by-10-inches. Then followed the same steps of sewing all sides closed except a small opening. We added about 2 to 2½ cups of rice and sewed the edge closed. For this size, we found 1½ to 2 minutes in the microwave worked well and it stayed warm — hotter at first and gradually cooling — for 20 to 30 minutes. This can also be placed in the freezer and used as a cold pack.

KILEY CRUSE PHOTOS , THE WORLD-HERALD

DIY handwarmers and heating pad are filled with rice.

Steps of making handwarmers: 3.5 inch by 6.5 inch fabric, pinned, sewn leaving a hole, turn inside out, fill with 1/4 cup rice, pin shut, sew across the filling side.

CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH THESE HOLIDAY EVENTS

RACHEL GEORGE Nonpareil Staff Writer

‘CINDERELLA’

Celebrate the season with The Rose Theater’s fantastically frosty take on Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.”

This new holiday production of the beloved Broadway musical will whisk you away to a wintery wonderland, where your family will find the familiar fable of Cinderella; a young woman who overcomes the frozen hearts of her family with the

warmth of her hope and determination — and of course, a little help from her fairy godmother.

With sparkling sets, cozy costumes, and snowy special effects, this princess tale will prove to be the perfect present for everyone on your nice list this holiday season.

“Cinderella” runs through Dec. 18 at the Rose Theater. ASL services and audio description services will be offered Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. and a sensory-friendly show will be Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit rosetheater.org.

WINTER WONDERLAND

Deck the (Great) Hall with holiday cheer! Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, will transform its Great Hall into a Winter Wonderland for the holiday season. From Dec. 10 to Jan. 2, members and guests can visit the festive holiday display of decorated trees and wreaths before bundling up and heading outside to enjoy the lighted Riverview Boardwalk. The display is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N. Free for members or with daily

admission for nonmembers.

From Dec. 10 to 16, the Forest will stay open until 7 p.m. to celebrate its Holiday Festival. Step into the Winter Wonderland, warm up with complimentary hot coca and enjoy the day’s festive activities. There will be an ornament decorating self-serve station.

On Dec. 10 and 11, activities will include holiday with the raptors, Santa, a holiday concert and carol hiking. Find a list of times at fontenelleforest.org.

The Lauritzen Gardens Merry & Bright poinsettia display draws thousands of visitors annually. Here, people walk through the 2020 display.

ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD

MERRY & BRIGHT HOLIDAY

POINSETTIA SHOW

Whether it’s a visit to the iconic 20-foot tall poinsettia tree, a tour through the lush conservatory to see the Holiday Express, roasting marshmallows on the festival garden patio or finding the perfect gift in the gift shop, there is a natural magic at Lauritzen Gardens that makes the season Merry & Bright.

Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St., will host its annual holiday poinsettia show through Dec. 31. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Christmas day. Standard garden admission rates apply. Members are admitted free during the day.

This year’s show is inspired by the sights and sounds of Rockefeller Center and the holiday traditions in New York City. You’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to the Big Apple, even though you’re still in Nebraska!

Certain nights will be Bright Nights, when all is aglow in the gardens. Find more information at lauritzengardens.org.

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’

Experience Omaha’s favorite holiday tradition as Ebenezer Scrooge takes us on a life-changing journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. The must-see holiday event for the entire family, filled with stunning Victorian costumes, festive music and crisp, wintry sets.

The Omaha Community Playhouse again offers “A Christmas Carol” through Dec. 23. Special events include a shadow interpreted performance Dec. 11 and an audio described performance Dec. 17. Find tickets and more at omahaplayhouse. com.

SANTA’S MILK & COOKIES FAMILY FUN WEEKEND

Visit the Omaha Children’s Museum Dec. 16 to 18 for cookies and hands-on activities, including games, crafts and more. And, of course … meet Santa!

For more information, visit ocm.org.

SEASON OF LIGHTS

The annual holiday tradition shines on at Midtown Crossing daily at dusk through Feb. 14.

Tens of thousands of white LED lights are strung throughout Turner Park and along Farnam Street.

CHRISTMAS AT UNION STATION

It’s time to trim the tree, bake some cookies, wrap those presents — and, of course, visit The Durham Museum at 801 S.10th St. The magic of Christmas continues at The Durham Museum with Omaha’s official Christmas tree, holiday concerts and Santa himself.

Holiday displays include Holiday Memories at Brandeis Department Store and Holiday Cultural Tree Display.

Santa visits six days a week, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. through Dec. 23.

Holiday concerts will be held Saturdays at

noon and Tuesday evenings through Dec. 20.

2022 HOLIDAY LIGHTS FESTIVAL

The Holiday Lights Festival celebrates its 23rd season this year.

Lighting displays will also be set up in the Old Market from 10th to 13th streets and Harney to Jackson streets); in North Omaha

along North 24th Street from Burdette to Ohio streets; and in South Omaha along South 24th Street from L to Q Streets. Lighting displays will remain up through Jan. 2.

HORSE & CARRIAGE RIDES

Holiday shoppers at Village Pointe can enjoy complimentary horse and carriage rides throughout the center on Saturdays, Dec. 10 and 17, from noon to 5 p.m. Pick up and drop off is in front of the fireplace by Marcus Village Pointe Cinema.

SANTA’S MAGIC

Santa has returned to the Omaha Children’s Museum, bringing a little holiday magic with him. Santa’s Magic is a short, live performance featuring Santa Claus, elves and animatronic Rudolph. There will be indoor snowfall, silly moments and a message from the Snow Queen.

Following each performance, children can share their wish lists with Santa and get their picture taken with him.

Santa’s Magic runs through Dec. 23. For more information, visit ocm.org.

EILEEN T. MESLAR, THE WORLD-HERALD

Darran Holst, left, and Bailley Liddick place poinsettias in an iron frame for the 2022 Merry & Bright show at Lauritzen Gardens.

OMAHA COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE

“A Christmas Carol” at the Omaha Community Playhouse.

Events

From Page 19

BUBBLY NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY

Don’t let bedtimes burst your bubble. Celebrate New Year’s Eve from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Omaha Children’s Museum.

Put on some swag and ring in the New Year with the Amazing Bubble Show, New Year’s Eve crafts, characters and bubble drops throughout the day.

All activities included with admission, while supplies last.

NOON YEAR’S EVE

The Durham Museum will host its biggest party of the year from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 31. Children of all ages will enjoy this funpacked 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.

Cost is $13 for adults, $10 for seniors (62 and up), $7 for children ages 3 to 12 and free for children 2 and under. Due to the popularity of this event, advance registration is required at durhammuseum.org.

NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR

The last signature event of the Holiday

Lights Festival, the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 31. The launch and viewing location is near CHI Health Event Center and TD Ameritrade Park, near 10th and Cass Streets. Arrive early and park for free to view the show.

All downtown parking meters will be free after 5 p.m. that day, courtesy of Park Omaha.

Produced by J&M Displays, each shell is choreographed to open on cue to a musical score developed specifically for this event.

Spectators are encouraged to tune into 104.5 FM in the warmth and safety of their vehicle to listen.

Find more at holidaylightsfestival.org.

Z LONG , THE WORLD-HERALD Fireworks light up the downtown skyline on New Year’s Eve in Omaha.

SARAH HOFFMAN , THE WORLD-HERALD

Balloons and confetti drop during the Noon Year’s Eve celebration at the Durham Museum in Omaha.

Christmas of sweet smell The

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Staff Writer

Three ingredients you may already have in your pantry is all it takes to make adorable ornaments for the Christmas tree.

The ornaments are meant to look like gingerbread cookies, but since they only include cinnamon, applesauce and glue, they will last for years. My kids made them with their grandparents a decade ago and they look practically like new.

The ornaments can seem delicate when you are making them, but once they are dry, they are sturdy — as long as you use care not to roll them out too thin.

And, they smell amazing and look so classic hanging on the tree.

CINNAMON ORNAMENTS

• 1½ cups cinnamon

• 1 cup applesauce

• 1 tablespoon white craft glue

• Waxed or parchment paper

• Holiday cookie cutters

• Straw

• Ribbon

• Fine sandpaper

In a bowl, mix cinnamon, applesauce and glue until well combined. You may need to use your hands for the final mixing. If the mixture seems too dry, add a little bit of applesauce until it feels like a stiff cookie dough. Conversely, if it feels too wet, add a little more cinnamon.

2. Between two pieces of waxed paper or parchment paper, roll out the cinnamon dough to no less than ¼ inch thick.

3. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. It’s a pretty delicate dough when wet so use caution choosing shapes with very thin areas. We had a reindeer we just couldn’t get the antlers to stay attached.

4. Use a straw to poke a hole at the top.

5. Carefully move ornaments to a cooling rack. Set out of the way to air dry. We set ours on top of the refrigerator and they were dry in two days. Another option is to bake them in a 200 F oven until dry. The upside is they will be dried out in a couple of hours. The downside is they will curl a little.

6. If the edges are a little rough, you can use a piece of finegrain sandpaper to smooth them.

7. Add a ribbon through the hole and hang them on the tree.

Hand-made Cinnamon Spice Ornaments dry in a couple days on a cooling rack.

Cinnamon Spice Ornaments are made from cinnamon, apple sauce and glue.

Hand-made Cinnamon Spice Ornaments

KILEY CRUSE PHOTOS , THE WORLD-HERALD

NOSEEK , ADOBE STOCK

Creamy hot cocoa

Servings: 4 Ingredients

„ ¾ cup white sugar

„ ¹⁄³ cup unsweetened cocoa pow der

„ Pinch salt

„ ¹⁄³ cup boiling water

„ 3 ½ cups milk

„ ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract

„ ½ cup half-and-half

Directions

Combine sugar, cocoa powder and salt in a saucepan. Add boiling water, and whisk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, and cook for 2 minutes. Stir constantly to prevent scorching.

Stir in milk, and heat until very hot, but do not allow to boil. Remove from heat, and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs, and add cream to cool to drinking temperature.

Recipe is from AllRecipes.

Sugar cookie hot chocolate

Servings: 4 Ingredients

„ 4 ½ cups whole milk

„ ²⁄³ cup sweetened condensed milk

„ ¼ cup cocoa powder

„ 6 ounces semisweet or dark chocolate, chopped

„ 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

„ ¼ teaspoon almond extract

„ Whipped cream, marshmallow, sugar cookies or coarse sugar, for toppings

Directions

Add the milks, cocoa, chocolate, vanilla and almond extract to a large pot. Heat at medium-low to scalding but not boiling. Be sure to stir often.

Once the hot chocolate is steam ing, ladle into mugs and top with whipped cream and garnishes.

Recipe is from Half-Baked Harvest.

Unicorn hot chocolate

Ingredients

„ 3 cups whole milk

„ 2 tablespoons sugar

„ 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

„ 8 ounces white chocolate, chopped „ Red or pink food coloring

„ Blue frosting, sprinkles, marsh mallows and whipped cream, for garnish

Directions

Combine whole milk, sugar and vanilla in a small saucepan. Cook on low heat until simmering. Do not allow to boil.

The chocolate concoction warms up a stormy winter day like nothing else

Hot cocoa HITS

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA

When the weather outside is frightful, a piping-hot cup of cocoa is so delightful. Starting with the basics, let’s learn how to make winter’s favorite cup and then how to jazz it up.

Add in the chopped white chocolate, and whisk frequently until the choc olate is melted and the mixture is smooth.

Add food coloring, one drop at a time, until you reach your desired color.

Dip the rim of your mugs into the blue frosting and then into sprinkles. Pour the hot chocolate into the mugs, and top with whipped cream, marshmallows and sprinkles.

Recipe is from The Spruce Eats.

VLADISLAV

Music by Richard Rodgers Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II New Book by Douglas Carter Beane Original Book by Oscar Hammerstein II

Celebrate the season with The Rose Theater’s fantastically frosty take on Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. This new holiday production of the beloved Broadway musical will whisk you away to a wintery wonderland, where your family will find the familiar fable of Cinderella; a young woman who overcomes the frozen hearts of her family with the warmth of her hope and determination and of course, a little help from her Fairy Godmother! With sparkling sets, cozy costumes, and snowy special effects, this princess tale will prove to be the perfect present for on your nice holiday season.

ove to be the tale will pr esent for everyone pr on your nice list this season.