Fun Ways To Spark The Holiday Spirit

As the year comes to a close, this holiday season is especially meaningful in the North State, where the closeness of community and family can always be counted on to sustain us and make us stronger.

This is a time to celebrate our resilience, feel grateful for our beautiful surroundings and simply have fun with our children, family and friends. To help, we’ve rounded up some ideas for simple ways to spark the spirit of the holidays and welcome in the New Year.

Find Time For Friends & Family

Playing a new game that keeps everyone engaged, or working on a challenging puzzle are great opportunities to slow down and savor quiet time at home. For a wide selection of games, puzzles and special gifts for all ages, visit this treasured local shop: Bird In Hand, 320 Broadway St, Chico. (530)893-0545. birdinhand.com.

Bring Home A Fresh Cut Tree

Nothing says Christmas like the smell and sight of a freshly cut tree covered in lights and ornaments! Lassen National Forest is selling Christmas tree permits for $10 each. Permits can be picked up in person at offices in Old Station, Fall River Mills, Susanville and Chester. Check the website for hours. http://www.fs.usda.gov/lassen

For another option, Peterson Sisters in Chico offers fresh-cut Christmas trees along with hay rides, home-baked holiday treats and fun. December 9-11 and 16-23, 5-9pm, $9 per person, kids under one year free. 3101 Jones Ave., (530)624-7134 pspumpkinpatch.com

Collier Hardware, 105 Broadway St., Chico, are busily selling permits already. Bring the whole family to pick up your tree permit and usher in the holiday feel. All ages will enjoy the old fashioned atmosphere at Collier Hardware and may see something to add to their Christmas wishlist.

Redding Garden of Lights at Turtle Bay – Wed-Sun, 5-9pm through Jan. 8

This dazzling display of more than one million lights brings the magic to Turtle Bay’s lush McConnell Arboretum and Gardens. Easy walking paths wind through 10 acres of artfully designed wildlife and plant-themed immersive exhibits, making this experience one that has become a must-do for thousands of families. It’s a full evening, with food trucks and beverages, fire pits and s’mores, holiday music, gifts and Santa’s reindeer. There’s also a special New Year’s Eve event. Tickets: $22 for adults, $15 youth and seniors, kids ages 0-4 free. Turtle Bay Members receive a $5 discount per ticket. Advance tickets must be purchased online. Turtle Bay Exploration Park, 844 Sundial Bridge Dr., Redding, reddinggardenoflights.org.

Orland’s 19th Annual Avenue of Lights – December 14-18, 5:30-9pm

The area’s only mile long light display. Load up the car and drive through the trail that winds through the Glenn County Fair Grounds. You’ll see beautiful light displays of penguins sledding, reindeer games, Santa’s sleigh, a live nativity scene, carousel and more. Then stop off at the North Pole Lodge and take your picture with Santa and enjoy the forest of over 20 different decorated Christmas trees. $20 per carload. Purchase tickets online at glenncountyfair.org. Glenn County Fairgrounds, 221 Yolo St, Orland.

Bring Out Your Inner Artist

Create a masterpiece, have fun with family and friends and transform plain ceramics into works of art for a gift or to keep at All Fired Up 939 Butte St, Redding. (530)226-1638, allfiredupnorcal.com.

At Ama Posey Studios in Chico, the December 28-28 Winter Break Art Camp offers a multitude of fun, creative projects for kids of all ages. 325 Main St. Chico, (530)736-3673, amaposey.com

Bella Artworks Creative Cafe in Yreka has yummy ice cream and treats as well as lots of painting options. 117 W. Miner St., Yreka, (530)842-5411, bellaartworks.net.

For kids who would love to make their own holiday gifts, Chico Art Center is offering holiday-themed crafts classes on December 3 and 10. 450 Orange St., Suite 6, (530)895-8726, chicoartcenter.com.

The Chico Art School and Gallery offers ongoing, weekly classes for kids and adults all year round, covering the basics of drawing and painting. Classes are great ideas for gift certificates as well. 261 E. Third St., (530)570-3895, chicoartschool.com.

To really spark some creativity with new materials and colors, as well as ideas for gifts, visit Mt. Shasta’s Velvet Elephant Art Center & Fair Trade Emporium. Open daily, 207 Mt. Shasta Blvd, (530)926-2297.

Share The Abundance

Contact your local Salvation Army, Rotary Clubs and other organizations to get up to date on their holiday fund raising projects, and pick one for the family to join. When you’re out shopping, pick up an extra toy for the Toys for Tots efforts in your town.

Many bird species over-winter here, so put up a few bird feeders to help them through the cold months, and reap the bonus of seeing their beauty every day.

For more great ideas on volunteering, visit the North State Parent’s resource section on Volunteer Opportunities — northstateparent.com/resources/volunteer-opportunities/

Holiday Concerts & Performances

Schreder Planetarium in Redding will hold a double feature presentation of A Christmas Star & Oasis in Space on December 9. Buy advance tickets online at planetarium@shastacoe.org

Redding City Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker is always a favorite. December 10 at Trinity Alps Performing Arts Center; December 16 & 17 in Redding. Find tickets online at thereddingartsproject.com

Glorious Sounds of the Season, at Chico State University on December 2, is a joyous annual spirit lifter, followed by Nochebuena, a celebration of Mexican holiday music and traditions on December 19. Tickets at csuchico.edu

On December 10, enjoy the North State Symphony’s spectacular Holiday POPS! concert in Red Bluff. Tickets at northstatesymphony.org

Explore The Holiday At Your Local Library

From fascinating books about how the holidays have changed over the years, holiday celebrations in other countries and fun holiday crafts to make, to special events that pop up all through December, be sure to visit your local library and do some exploring.

Ice Skating Rinks

Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink – Schedule being finalized. Located in downtown Ashland just across the street from famous Lithia Park, this is a favorite spot for those who want to play hockey, get some lessons or just free skate in the crisp mountain air. The First Frost community Skating event is set for December 17, 4-9pm. Fees and hours for daily skating are still being finalized. Contact: (541)552-2258, parksinfo@ashland.or.us

Downtown Chico Ice Rink – daily through January 8. Chico Ice Rink in the downtown plaza features ice skating sessions, skating lessons, and private party events. This joint effort with the Downtown Chico Business Association is adjacent to City Hall and located in an area of more than 425 diverse businesses, so it’s a fun place to head to before or after shopping and dining. For full details: downtownchico.com

Paradise Ice Rink – daily through Jan. 8. This hometown ice rink is the center of the town’s Winter Wonderland through January 2, starting with Santa’s arrival on December 3 and followed with Disco Skate on December 9, Elks Hoop Shoot on December 10, Sunset with the Symphony on December 17, Fantasy on Ice December 30 and a Midnight Ball Drop on December 31. Lessons and season passes available. For full details: paradiseprpd.com

Siskiyou Ice Rink, Mt. Shasta – daily through February 12. Adult and youth hockey, ice skating lessons, 90-minute public skate sessions. Season passes and family passes available. For full details: msrec.org/ice-rink

…And More…

Be sure to check North State Parent’s Community Calendar online at northstateparent.com/calendar. It’s the best source of family activities in the North State region and beyond. As we learn about new events and holiday fun, we’ll post the news here.