Winter family fun, including Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s celebrations.
Winter Wonderland
Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
My family and I always are always late to kick off the holidays. By the time we get around to even talking about where to buy our Christmas tree, our friends’ trees, houses and mantels have been lit up for weeks. This year, our neighbor, pitying our barren home, wrapped reams of red ribbon around […]
‘Frozen’ at the Hollywood Pantages is like a Warm Hug
If you’re looking for a wonderful holiday family outing, I have just the place – the Hollywood Pantages Theatre to see the Disney Theatrical Production of “Frozen,” with performances through Feb. 2. TheFrozen North American tour stars Caroline Bowman and Caroline Innerbichler as Elsa and Anna, sisters with a mysterious family secret. My daughter and I so enjoyed the […]
Declutter During the Holidays
It seems that even before the Christmas songs start on the radio, the hourly emails come pouring in about the steals and deals for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. Ads appear on TV for the must-wants and the kids start writing their lists for the must-haves. The messaging this time of year […]
How to Disconnect from Work and Reconnect with Your Family During the Holidays
We’re all guilty of it – only being half present when we’re with our families over the holidays. Maybe you’ve found yourself sneaking off to a quiet room to answer a few work emails or taking multiple work-related calls. If so, you’re not alone. Americans have a hard time disconnecting once on holiday vacation, and […]
Lights! Chill! Cheer! Where to Find Holiday Lights, Skating and Snow in L.A.
Sunny L.A. weather runs counter to the festive vibe of the winter holidays. Without bare trees, snowy streets and a good reason to snuggle up next to the fireplace with peppermint hot chocolate and a candy cane, finding the spirit of the season can be a challenge. Luckily, a flurry of activities and events around Southern […]
Beyond Holiday Shopping
We all know that L.A.’s malls will host Santa and his friends this month for wish list requests and special snaps, but what about the holiday extras? We’ve compiled a handy list of tree lightings, musical performances, cozy crafts, special deals and pet-friendly fun so you can make the most of the season at your […]
The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol and Holiday Family Theater in Los Angeles
We’ve come to the season when sugar plum fairies, Scrooge and Santa populate Southern California theaters. Here’s where to find them – plus Snow White, Peter Pan and other holiday surprises. A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK Local productions of “The Nutcracker” are too numerous for a complete listing here (check our Calendar for more), but […]
A Wonderful Life in Hollywood: How Dads Cope During the Holidays
Now that it’s dark at 5 p.m. and traffic seems to have gotten infinitely worse overnight, I find myself in the holiday mood. In L.A., there’s no apparent reason for this feeling. The weather is still sunny, the hills are still a bit fire-scorched, but some of the trees have fall colors and at least one radio station is playing nonstop holidays jams […]
An Emerald Island Christmas
The Christmas spirit in Ireland seems to have spilled over, with several holiday-themed concerts exported to SoCal. “Christmas with The Celts,” which comes to the La Mirada Theatre (www.lamiradatheatre.com) at 3 p.m. Dec. 22, is based on the popular PBS program of the same name. This show combines Irish carols and contemporary Christmas songs with spirited […]
New Year’s Eve, Family Style
Ring in 2020 as a family on New Year’s Eve – or even New Year’s Eve day. Preserve your little one’s early bedtime with a Noon Year’s Eve celebration. The party at The Children’s Museum at La Habra (www.lhcm.org), from 10 a.m.-noon, includes DJ music, themed crafts and a balloon drop at noon for $12. […]
Feliz, Feliz Navidad
Here are four ways to add a Mexican flavor to your holiday celebrations. Enjoy a merry Christmas concert with the return of the “Merry-Achi Christmas” to the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (www.cerritoscenter.com) Dec. 6 and 7. Topping the bill is the 14-person ensemble Sol de México de José Hernández, the first mariachi band […]
Disney Frozen and On Ice
You can forecast a “Frozen” December for Southern California – at least where entertainment is concerned. On Dec. 4, the hotly anticipated stage adaptation of “Frozen” arrives at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre (www.hollywoodpantages.com/frozen), running Tues.-Sat. through Feb. 2. The Broadway musical features songs from the film and new numbers by the movie’s award-winning songwriters, Kristen […]
A Dreidel in Time – A New Spin on an Old Tale
Fans of “Magic Tree House” will love “A Dreidel in Time” by Marcia Berneger with illustrations by Beatriz Castro (ages 7+), which transports readers via a magical dreidel to when Hanukkah began. When the grandparents of 9-year-old Benjamin and his 12-yearold sister, Devorah, visit on Hanukkah, the siblings hope to receive gifts. Instead, they’re offered a large, […]
Smart Holiday Shopping for Kids on the Autism Spectrum
Parents and other loved ones who provide holiday gifts for children with autism spectrum disorders and other intellectual and developmental challenges may or may or may not know that there is special care that can be taken when making gift choices. Those with children or relatives on the spectrum can follow a few guidelines to make the […]
Easier Holiday Travel with Disabilities and Special Needs
The season of celebrations is here, and traveling to visit family and friends can be part of the joy of the holidays. It can also be challenging for those with disabilities and special needs. With a bit of advance planning, though, families can smooth the path to holiday cheer. For those on the autism spectrum, […]
Family Holiday Traditions Worth Sharing
Add any of these ideas from L.A. families to your seasonal celebration. When you roast a Thanksgiving turkey in my house, you have to use Grandad’s stuffing recipe. And all the up-and-coming young cooks in the family are pressed to take a good whiff of the stuffing so they can learn how much poultry seasoning […]