"With the holiday season here, Parents need to occupy kids, people want fun activities to do, others find the holidays stressful and need a way to make it more enjoyable. Well, here's how to achieve those goals and more!"--Zanthe Jones-Gerachis, 8th grade
GAMES
Number one: Christmas Tree Hide n’ Seek
When Christmas tree shopping, it can be hard for younger kids to stay out of the way of workers or to not be rambunctious. Here is a tradition you can use that is fun and takes as long as you need, something a lot of people do that can be fun for kids and adults. The game “Hide n’ Seek'' can be played anywhere, so why not a Christmas tree farm? This isn’t dangerous as long as kids stay away from the sawing of the trees, and can be great for siblings or an only child and a parent. You can hide under Christmas trees or behind, and it's a great way to keep kids occupied.
Number two: Holiday Themed Guessing Games
If you have ever heard of the game “headbands?” This is similar. You’ll need post-it notes, or small pieces of paper, and a pencil or pen. Then you can pick a category, say “holiday movie characters,” “holiday movies,” “holiday foods,” etc. Write down on a single piece of paper something in that category, and continue until you have a sufficient amount. At this point, this game can be turned into “headbands,” “charades,” or “guess who,” its all up to you! (No pun intended). For headbands, one person (out of at least two people, but the number of people can range as big as needed), picks a piece of paper without looking and attaches it to their forehead. The other players try to hint to them what it is until the player with the paper guesses what it is. This can be done with or without a timer. Charades is kind of self explanatory, just do holiday-themed charades . For Guess Who, same thing, just playing guess who with holiday categories.
Number three: The Christmas Present Game
“In this Christmas guessing game, players hunt for the best gifts stowed among the boxes (note: some are filled with terrible gag gifts!) and everyone gets a chance to steal the best ones. Though it may seem like a secret Santa gift exchange, it's a bit different and sure to thrill your friends and family,” explains Anna Logan in her article in Country Living, “40 Fun Christmas Games for Kids to Entertain Them Through the Holidays.”
When Christmas tree shopping, it can be hard for younger kids to stay out of the way of workers or to not be rambunctious. Here is a tradition you can use that is fun and takes as long as you need, something a lot of people do that can be fun for kids and adults. The game “Hide n’ Seek'' can be played anywhere, so why not a Christmas tree farm? This isn’t dangerous as long as kids stay away from the sawing of the trees, and can be great for siblings or an only child and a parent. You can hide under Christmas trees or behind, and it's a great way to keep kids occupied.
Number two: Holiday Themed Guessing Games
If you have ever heard of the game “headbands?” This is similar. You’ll need post-it notes, or small pieces of paper, and a pencil or pen. Then you can pick a category, say “holiday movie characters,” “holiday movies,” “holiday foods,” etc. Write down on a single piece of paper something in that category, and continue until you have a sufficient amount. At this point, this game can be turned into “headbands,” “charades,” or “guess who,” its all up to you! (No pun intended). For headbands, one person (out of at least two people, but the number of people can range as big as needed), picks a piece of paper without looking and attaches it to their forehead. The other players try to hint to them what it is until the player with the paper guesses what it is. This can be done with or without a timer. Charades is kind of self explanatory, just do holiday-themed charades . For Guess Who, same thing, just playing guess who with holiday categories.
Number three: The Christmas Present Game
“In this Christmas guessing game, players hunt for the best gifts stowed among the boxes (note: some are filled with terrible gag gifts!) and everyone gets a chance to steal the best ones. Though it may seem like a secret Santa gift exchange, it's a bit different and sure to thrill your friends and family,” explains Anna Logan in her article in Country Living, “40 Fun Christmas Games for Kids to Entertain Them Through the Holidays.”
PLAces to go and events
Number one: Ice Skating
Ice skating is one of the most popular things done during the holidays, here are some places to go to ice skate!
Union Square Ice Rink is a very popular ice skating area, and is magical and full of lights! “
Oakland Ice Center is more for just casual skating and less holiday themed but is still lots of fun.
Meritage Resort is a nice and calm place to go skate with family and friends.
Winter Lights is by far the best and is a wonderful place to ice skate with whoever you want to do that with.
Number two: Holiday Lights and Famous Holiday Streets
What is better than taking a ride down a street with beautiful lights that you can “ooh!” and “awe” at? This activity can be done with anyone, family, partner, kids, adults, or even by yourself. There are so many exciting streets to drive down, here are a few recommendations:Fourth Street in Berkeley, Tilden Merry Go Round, and Alemeda’s Christmas Tree Lane. Of course, there are others besides these. Holiday streets and holiday lights have so many options! Go explore them! For more information you can visit Best Places To See Holiday Lights In the Bay Area now on the Telegraph.
Number three: Glowfari
Every year the Oakland Zoo hosts the “Glowfari,” an event fun for all ages full of lights animals and exploration. According to the Oakland Zoo Website (linked above),“this wildly popular, family-friendly experience is back with hundreds of ALL new, larger-than-life animal lanterns throughout the Zoo. Each lantern tells the story of the ongoing journey of wildlife, the importance of every species on our planet, and Oakland Zoo's commitment to conservation.”
This year’s Glowfari has new themes with winter loving animals! “the forests of North America with iconic native wildlife like mountain lions and wolves, our frosty friends of the Arctic with puffins and polar bears, the Deep Ocean featuring rarely seen sea creatures, and a stroll through the swamp as you encounter alligators and other animals of the Bayou!”
Number four: The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is a great experience for all ages though might not be best for a child who tires or gets bored easily but is truly really beautiful and is also a famous holiday destination, with excitement and engaging dances.
“It was really cool, but it was really cold. There was a crazy homeless guy yelling at us,” says Ella Marcial, an eighth grade Fashion student who recently went on a field trip to the Nutcracker. “It was really fun and the theater was really pretty,” says Mayari Zermeno-Reyes, also an eighth grade Fashion student.
When asked if anything stood out to her, Zermeno-Reyes stated “No!”, then re-stated, “Oh, the winter lady! I did not like her.” After some clarification of who the “winter lady” is, Zermeno-Reyes continued. “I hated the Snow Queen because she thought she was all that! She kept coming out and having solos, like, you're not special!”
“There [were] three thousand diamonds or crystals, I forget which one, on her costume,” said Marcial. “There were some parts where I was kind of hungry and I wanted food but most of the time it was fun!”
Number five: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Similar to The Nutcracker, A Charlie Brown Christmas hosted by the San Francisco Symphony, is also a popular holiday tradition for many families and can be fun for all ages.
Ice skating is one of the most popular things done during the holidays, here are some places to go to ice skate!
Union Square Ice Rink is a very popular ice skating area, and is magical and full of lights! “
Oakland Ice Center is more for just casual skating and less holiday themed but is still lots of fun.
Meritage Resort is a nice and calm place to go skate with family and friends.
Winter Lights is by far the best and is a wonderful place to ice skate with whoever you want to do that with.
Number two: Holiday Lights and Famous Holiday Streets
What is better than taking a ride down a street with beautiful lights that you can “ooh!” and “awe” at? This activity can be done with anyone, family, partner, kids, adults, or even by yourself. There are so many exciting streets to drive down, here are a few recommendations:Fourth Street in Berkeley, Tilden Merry Go Round, and Alemeda’s Christmas Tree Lane. Of course, there are others besides these. Holiday streets and holiday lights have so many options! Go explore them! For more information you can visit Best Places To See Holiday Lights In the Bay Area now on the Telegraph.
Number three: Glowfari
Every year the Oakland Zoo hosts the “Glowfari,” an event fun for all ages full of lights animals and exploration. According to the Oakland Zoo Website (linked above),“this wildly popular, family-friendly experience is back with hundreds of ALL new, larger-than-life animal lanterns throughout the Zoo. Each lantern tells the story of the ongoing journey of wildlife, the importance of every species on our planet, and Oakland Zoo's commitment to conservation.”
This year’s Glowfari has new themes with winter loving animals! “the forests of North America with iconic native wildlife like mountain lions and wolves, our frosty friends of the Arctic with puffins and polar bears, the Deep Ocean featuring rarely seen sea creatures, and a stroll through the swamp as you encounter alligators and other animals of the Bayou!”
Number four: The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is a great experience for all ages though might not be best for a child who tires or gets bored easily but is truly really beautiful and is also a famous holiday destination, with excitement and engaging dances.
“It was really cool, but it was really cold. There was a crazy homeless guy yelling at us,” says Ella Marcial, an eighth grade Fashion student who recently went on a field trip to the Nutcracker. “It was really fun and the theater was really pretty,” says Mayari Zermeno-Reyes, also an eighth grade Fashion student.
When asked if anything stood out to her, Zermeno-Reyes stated “No!”, then re-stated, “Oh, the winter lady! I did not like her.” After some clarification of who the “winter lady” is, Zermeno-Reyes continued. “I hated the Snow Queen because she thought she was all that! She kept coming out and having solos, like, you're not special!”
“There [were] three thousand diamonds or crystals, I forget which one, on her costume,” said Marcial. “There were some parts where I was kind of hungry and I wanted food but most of the time it was fun!”
Number five: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Similar to The Nutcracker, A Charlie Brown Christmas hosted by the San Francisco Symphony, is also a popular holiday tradition for many families and can be fun for all ages.
Food
Number one: Make a Popcorn Garland
You will need: popcorn kernels and popcorn air popper, needle, and thread or fishing line
For directions on how to make a popcorn garland, visit How to Make a Popcorn Garland by Michael Wurm Jr.
A popcorn garland is a fun activity for adults and kids. This is a slightly tedious activity as it does take some time if you want to make a really good one. But in the end it’s worth it and you will have an awesome Christmas tree!
Number two: Have a Holiday Bake-Off
A holiday bake-off can mean multiple different things, for example, you can set up multiple different un-decorated cookies and decorate them. This can become a contest by either whoever finishes first or who’s cookie looks the best. Most bake-offs are similar or, of course you can just bake with family and friends with no contest.
Number three: Hanging Donuts
You will need: donuts, any kind of string, and something to hang the string from.This activity is by far one of the best. Take a string, thread, or any kind of stable thread and hang it from anything, and tie a donut to the end. Then, your family and friends can try to eat the donut of the string in a contest to see who can eat the most first. To be fair, this activity is not very holiday related but can be depending on how you decide to do it.
You will need: popcorn kernels and popcorn air popper, needle, and thread or fishing line
For directions on how to make a popcorn garland, visit How to Make a Popcorn Garland by Michael Wurm Jr.
A popcorn garland is a fun activity for adults and kids. This is a slightly tedious activity as it does take some time if you want to make a really good one. But in the end it’s worth it and you will have an awesome Christmas tree!
Number two: Have a Holiday Bake-Off
A holiday bake-off can mean multiple different things, for example, you can set up multiple different un-decorated cookies and decorate them. This can become a contest by either whoever finishes first or who’s cookie looks the best. Most bake-offs are similar or, of course you can just bake with family and friends with no contest.
Number three: Hanging Donuts
You will need: donuts, any kind of string, and something to hang the string from.This activity is by far one of the best. Take a string, thread, or any kind of stable thread and hang it from anything, and tie a donut to the end. Then, your family and friends can try to eat the donut of the string in a contest to see who can eat the most first. To be fair, this activity is not very holiday related but can be depending on how you decide to do it.
Giving
Number one: Secret Santa/White Elephant
There are many different variations of Secret Santa and White Elephant, for this one you have a group of people, and everyone writes their name on one piece of paper, folds it up, and puts it in a box or hat (really anything that holds all of the pieces of paper together). After this, people go one by one or at the same time if you want, and pick one piece of paper. If they get a paper with their name on it just put it back, otherwise don't tell anyone who you got. After, the person would get a present for that person and that group of people would meet up again and give the presents they got to
others revealing who got who.
Number two: Donate!
In the season of giving, why not donate? You can donate to the Make a Wish, Family Giving Tree, CT Food Bank, Alameda County Community Food Bank, OSA's Cloud Park, and Toys for Tots. Of course, there are so many other places to donate, but wherever you choose to donate will make a difference no matter what.
Number three: Potluck
A potluck isn't the typical type of giving, but why not? You can invite neighbors, family, friends, and people can enjoy a free meal with friends. What better way to give during the holidays than a potluck?
Number four: Volunteering
There are so many places in the Bay Area to lend a hand this holiday season! Check out Alameda County Community Food Bank, Bay Area Rescue Mission, Bridgewatch Angels, Berkeley Food & Housing Project, Jewish Family & Children’s Services, and Meals on Wheels. For more information on these places you can look at an article in the Red Oak Realty, Give back: Holiday volunteer opportunities in the East Bay
There are many different variations of Secret Santa and White Elephant, for this one you have a group of people, and everyone writes their name on one piece of paper, folds it up, and puts it in a box or hat (really anything that holds all of the pieces of paper together). After this, people go one by one or at the same time if you want, and pick one piece of paper. If they get a paper with their name on it just put it back, otherwise don't tell anyone who you got. After, the person would get a present for that person and that group of people would meet up again and give the presents they got to
others revealing who got who.
Number two: Donate!
In the season of giving, why not donate? You can donate to the Make a Wish, Family Giving Tree, CT Food Bank, Alameda County Community Food Bank, OSA's Cloud Park, and Toys for Tots. Of course, there are so many other places to donate, but wherever you choose to donate will make a difference no matter what.
Number three: Potluck
A potluck isn't the typical type of giving, but why not? You can invite neighbors, family, friends, and people can enjoy a free meal with friends. What better way to give during the holidays than a potluck?
Number four: Volunteering
There are so many places in the Bay Area to lend a hand this holiday season! Check out Alameda County Community Food Bank, Bay Area Rescue Mission, Bridgewatch Angels, Berkeley Food & Housing Project, Jewish Family & Children’s Services, and Meals on Wheels. For more information on these places you can look at an article in the Red Oak Realty, Give back: Holiday volunteer opportunities in the East Bay
