z bt e eat Kida
wednes d ay, d e c e m b e r 8 , 2 0 1 0 T h e Va n c o uv e r C o u r i e r
EW25
special advertising feature
more peace, more joy Creating new family Christmas traditions based on practices from around the world by Emma Lee
C
hristmas is around the corner, and for most families in Canada, it’s a holiday that is filled with traditions including gift-giving, Santa Claus, eating roast turkey and all the trimmings, and decorating the tree. But have you ever thought of incorporating something new in your holiday celebrations? Why not take a page out of another country’s book and introduce a new family tradition this winter? Here are some ideas on how to take traditions from around the world and making them your own.
Germany Tradition: In Germany, children set out a shoe or boot outside of their home’s door on St. Nicholas Eve (December 5) in hopes that they’ve been good enough that St. Nicholas will fill it with goodies (typically food) instead of twigs for naughty children. This tradition is practiced in other countries around the world with slight variations, and it’s similar to what we do in North America when we set out stockings. New twist: This year, set out a shoe or a boot, instead of stockings, to be filled by Santa Claus.
Scotland Tradition: The Scottish forget the past and look forward as part of their Christmas traditions. They burn the branches of a rowan tree, which symbolizes the banishing of any ill will between friends or family. New twist: It might be hard to find a rowan tree branch to burn, but you can take the
ENTER TO WIN!
sentiment of the Scottish tradition (forgetting the past and looking forward) and make your own tradition with candles. For example, each family member can light a candle to symbolize the discarding of old habits and to signify the fuelling of new hopes and dreams. It’s like making a Christmas wish.
Romania
Tradition: In Romania (and other countries), it is tradition to open gifts on Christmas Eve.
New twist: If opening all the gifts on Christmas Eve is too much of a shock to your family tradition of gift-opening on Christmas morning, why not let everyone open one gift on Christmas Eve for a change?
Argentina
Tradition: In Argentina, colourful paper balloons, called “globos” are traditional. They’re lit on the inside and then sent floating into the sky.
New twist: The cold and wet weather of the Christmas holidays aren’t usually conducive to floating large paper balloons outside, but why not make smaller colourful paper balloons as decorations inside the home? You can hang them on the tree, inside your windows...wherever you would like. We found easy step-by-step instructions for building an origami balloon online: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-OrigamiBalloon. Choose different colours of paper for variety.
Childcare Spaces Available
Kidz beat
Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House is accepting registration for the following programs: Before and After School Care Preschool Daycare for children 18 months to 6 years of age Kindercare
Ballet BC and The Vancouver Courier Newspaper want 2 lucky winners to win a family pack of 4 tickets to Alberta Ballet’s THE NUTCRACKER at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
Our innovative and dynamic programs are inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, an internationally acclaimed model of high quality, creativity-based early childhood education.
Simply mail or drop off entry: c/o The Vancouver Courier Newspaper, 1574 W.6th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1R2 or email us at: contest@vancourier.com with subject line: NUTCRACKER.
NAME: ______________________ PHONE: _____________________ Draw date: Friday, December 17 by noon. One entry per person.
Kidz b
604-251-1225
check out the next issue of Kidzbeat:
Healthy activities for kids to start the year off right! next publishes Friday, January 7, 2011
EW26 T h e
Va n c o uve r Co u r i e r wednesday, december 8, 2010
z bt e eat Kida spotlight on Blanket BC One family gives warmth from the heart by Emma Lee
W
hen Greg Ould asked a man lying by the side of a building on a cold October night if there was anything he could do to help him out, he received an answer that would change his life forever. “I could use a blanket...to survive the night,” the man replied. If you have time, collect blankets from your friends or family with your children. It’s a great opportunity for you and your kids to experience the joy of helping and giving this holiday season. For more information about Blanket BC and how you and your family can help -- whether it’s through donations or through volunteering
visit www.blanketbc.com.
Ould recounts, “When he told me he needed a blanket, something inside me sparked. I came back with a blanket. It was just something I had to do as a human being. I was blown away that something so basic could mean the difference between life or death for him.” That was five years ago, and since then, Ould, who works as an attendant on the Canada Line, has collected a whopping 35,000 blankets for those in need through the Blanket BC Society, a Mission-based organization that he founded with his son Ben, then just one-and-a-half years old. Ould says his son Ben, now 7, along with his sister Emma, 3, are a big part of the reason he started Blanket BC. He explains that he wanted to show them they can do something good by helping others. But clearly, the Ould kids don’t need any push to spread the word about the need. Both Ben and his sister actively let friends know about the need for blankets. “Ben just goes out there and and
Festival of Trees 2010 Join us now until January 5, 2011. Visit the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver and Pacific Centre to celebrate the season of giving at Festival of Trees. Also visit www.bcchf.ca/festivaloftrees for information about Port Alberni and Victoria Festival of Trees events.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
MEDIA SPONSORS
VENUE SPONSORS
tells kids at school or at the playground that we need blankets,” Ould says. “This world would be a hell of a lot better place if we just listened to our children.” Most of the blankets are donated during Blanket BC’s “Drive on the Line” campaign. The event occurs once a year on November 26 – officially “Blanket BC Day” as it was proclaimed by the City of Vancouver. It’s a day-long blanket drive along the Skytrain’s Expo, Millennium and Canada Line stations. On this day, everyone was invited to bring a blanket with them on their way to school or to work. But people can still continue to donate after that day. In the weeks following the blanket drive, until the end of February 2011, Ould hopes to gather a total of 35,000 blankets, equivalent to the total number his organization has collected in the last five years. The collected blankets -- which in many cases are being saved from being dumped in landfills -- get a new life, and are divided
and distributed to shelters, churches and other organizations that need them. It’s a lot of work for anyone, and Ould emphasizes that his wife Jennifer and children are what keep him going.
Ould also adds that he couldn’t do what he does without the generous and passionate support of Blanket BC’s sponsors: Pivotal Concepts, Great Little Box Company, Canada Line, The Media Merchants, Williams Moving & Storage, Protrans BC, Ron Perron Photography & Design, and Maple Leaf Storage.
“We just want people to do -- to go out there and do something good. It’s easy. That’s the message we want people to hear,” Ould adds.
wednes d ay, d e c e m b e r 8 , 2 0 1 0 T h e Va n c o uv e r C o u r i e r
EW27
WIN justin bieber’s new CD “My Worlds Acoustic” Plus a poster & Sticker
A Suessical Sensation! For the Child
in All of Us
Taking the stage currently, until Jan. 1, 2011, this musical revue is geared at ages three and over, and is based on the works of Dr. Seuss, with book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty.
by Helen Peterson
P
eople of every generation grew up on the whimsical writings and illustrations of Dr. Suess (real name Theodor Suess Geisel.) Parents today recall The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who, Green Eggs and Ham, and the Grinch, of course. Reminiscing is easy – simply go to www.suessville.com, the official “Suess” site by Random House, publishers of the Dr. Suess catalogue of well-loved, timeless books. Seussville is the place for children of all ages to play and learn with Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully whimsical books and classic characters, which leap to life through interactive games and activities that will enrich each child’s reading experience. Closer to home, you’ll want to take the kids to Suessical the Musical at the Waterfront Theatre, Granville Island.
This hilarious musical, produced and performed by Carousel Theatre for Young People, is sure to make everyone laugh and dance in their seats. Seussical the Musical brings the tales of Dr. Seuss to life with this toe-tapping story that spans a wide spectrum of musical styles. The much-loved characters of Horton the Elephant and The Cat in the Hat join other favourites; it’s sure to be the family event of the holiday season. Director Carole Higgins says: “Our audiences have been clamouring for the return of Seussical, and I am delighted to work with a fine group of actors and musicians to present Seussical – it’s a treat for children, parents and grandparents alike!” For tickets, contact Carousel Theatre Box Office at 604-669-3410 or purchase
Youth Living on the Streets
Kids Market – Granville Island
To Dec. 17 Drop off location: 1574 W. 6th Ave
To Dec. 22 www.kidsmarket.ca
The Vancouver Courier is collecting new items for youth living on the streets. Please help us to spread cheer and good will this holiday season to those who have no home of their own. For more information, please contact June Stafford 604-738-1411.
Join Kids Market and Elizabeth Fry Society along with the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau and give a gift to less fortunate children. Choose a name from the tree and donate an unwrapped gift at Kids Market before Dec. 22.
Features acoustic versions of Justin’s hits including “Baby,” “One Time” and “U Smile”, plus the new song, “Pray”
www.justinbiebermusic.com Mail or drop off your entry to The Vancouver Courier, 1574 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1R2 or email to contest@vancourier.com with “Justin Beiber” in the subject line. Deadline for entries is Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 noon. Lucky winner will be contacted by phone. Must be between 12 and 19 years of age.
Name: _____________________________________________ Daytime Phone: _______________________ Age: _________
be nice, not naughty!
Vancouver International Children’s Festival in association with the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company present
2n d AD SHO DE W D! featuring: featur urin ing in g:
Fred Penner Penne er Charlotte Diamond Bobs & Lolo Norman Foote with MC Dolly Hopkins
1pm & 4pm
A special concert for the Vancouver International Children’s Festival Vancouver Playhouse (Hamilton & Dunsmuir) Call 604.873.3311 or visit www.childrensfestival.ca
.com
Donated Design
EW28 T h e
Va n c o uve r Co u r i e r wednesday, december 8, 2010
uon AlexissQ 4 on
turn 23rd! December
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all these DECEMBER Kids! December 2 Nirvana Bandi ................ 5 December 3 Caleb Tam ..................... 6 Erfan Bandi .................. 15 December 5 Sophia Santos ............... 7
December 7 Nicholas Carter Haydar . 9 December 8 Andrew Wong .............. 13 Adam Greenall .............. 5 December 11 Everett Ng ...................... 7 Nicholas Tracy ............... 7
December 13 Ericsson Sing ............... 13 December 16 Matias Cramer ............... 5 December 17 Brandon Robertson ..... 12 December 19 Sakura Kubota ............... 9
December 20 Emilio Cramer ................ 7 December 22 Elena Cardona ............... 7 December 23 Georgia Rafighi .............. 8 Alexis Quon ................... 4 Ryan Louie ..................... 5
Make a
December 24 Taiki Shickele ................. 5 December 31 Justin Dar ...................... 9
Birthday wish come true
Bring this ad to either listed DQ and receive $5.00 off
a DQ cake! expires 12/31/10
Commercial Drive DQ/OJ 1629 Commercial Drive 604-568-4542 Kitsilano DQ 2601 West Broadway 604-732-3704
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SANTAS
Find all the differences between these 2 Santas and then have fun colouring them in!
Birthday Club Entry Form
NEXT BIRTHDAY CLUB WILL PUBLISH
Name: ______________________________
Hey Kids... Simply send us your name & birthdate and we will publish it the month of your birthday on our special Birthday Page. You will also be automatically entered to WIN a birthday prize from H.R. MACMILLAN SPACE CENTRE & DAIRY QUEEN. Winners will be contacted by phone in addition to an announcement in the paper.
Phone # _____________________________ Turning _______on: ____________________
Send to: The Birthday Club, 1574 West 6th Ave., Vancouver BC V6J 1R2. Deadline for entries for the upcoming month is Dec. 31st, 2010.
JANUARY 7TH, 2011