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Area Events

December 2 • 7:30 p.m.

December 4 • 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

December 5 • 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

The King’s Singers

Trolley Rides

Delaney Christmas Concert

Performing Arts Center The King's Singer are recognizable for their spot-on intonation, vocal blending, articulation of the text and incisive timing.

Downtown Brookings December 4 • 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Warm up with a hot cup of cocoa and enjoy a horse drawn trolley ride through the Central Residential Historic District.

SDSU Performing Arts Center Free Christmas concert.

December 4 • 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Free Play & Face Painting 19th Annual Festival of Children’s Museum of South Dakota Lights Parade Sugarcoat your evening with cookie decorating and a hot chocolate bar.

Bring the kids to enjoy some holiday cheer before the parade starts.

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Downtown Brookings Grab your friends, family, and a warm blanket and head to downtown Brookings for the Festival of Lights Parade.

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December 6 • 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Visit Santa Children’s Museum of South Dakota December 6 • 8:00 p.m. - 11:55 p.m.

McCrory Gardens Music and Mistletoe McCrory Gardens Come enjoy a fun filled night at McCrory Gardens! The night will include

appetizer, cash bar, visit from "Santa Claus", a silent auction, and more.

December 18 • 7:00

Holiday Jam with the Hegg Brothers Swiftel Center This musical showcase features the talents of a multipiece band playing holiday classics as well as contemporary new arrangements in the signature lush and rhythmic horn band sound of Jeremy and Jon Hegg.

Filling out the group are the region’s finest and most exciting musicians. As we all hear most of our favorite holiday season songs every year the challenge of finding new ways to present this music is a difficult one this group relishes.

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Holiday Trivia 5 1 6 2 7 3 8 4 9 Each year, more than three billion Christmas cards are sent in the United States alone.

Christmas carols began as an English custom called “wassailing.” Individuals toasted neighbors to a long and healthy life.

Each holiday season, PNC Wealth Management calculates the costs of the gifts in the song, “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

The price index for the gifts went from $12,673 in 1984 to more than $24,000 in 2011. The most expensive gift is the swimming swans.

Before turkey, the traditional Christmas meal served in England was a pig’s head and mustard.

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Santa has his own official postal code. It’s H0 H0 H0.

The song “Jingle Bells” was originally written for Thanksgiving and not Christmas.

People loved it so much that the lyrics were changed to fit Christmas.

Christmas trees typically grow for 15 years before they’re cut and sold. This means the trees sold today were likely planted in 1999.

Christmas was not declared an official holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870.

Male reindeer tend to shed their antlers in the winter. This means Santa’s reindeer are likely female.

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Say ‘Happy Holidays’ wherever you are he phrase “Happy Holidays” is uttered millions of times across the globe between the end of November and the beginning of January.

But even if you find yourself in a foreign, non-English-speaking country this holiday season, you can still pass along this popular greeting thanks to the following translations.

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DANISH

ITALIAN

SPANISH

Glade feriedage

Buone Feste

Felices Fiestas

DUTCH

PORTUGUESE

SWEDISH

Gelukkige Vakantie

Festas Felizes

Trevlig Helg

FRENCH

ROMANIAN

TURKISH

Joyeuses Fêtes

Sarbatori Fericite

Mutlu Tatiller

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How to WOW Guests This he holiday season provides the perfect opportunity to go all out for your guests. From decor tips to hosting secrets, it only takes a few special tweaks to make your party the talk of the season.

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Put your own unique spin on this year's holiday parties and decorations with these tips:

Small changes can make a big impact Pick your favorite two or three rooms in your home and add a few key pieces to transform the space, while staying true to your budget. When in doubt, remember to focus on the high-traffic areas, such as the entryway, living area or dining room. And don't forget the kitchen. With all the holiday cooking and eating - that lies ahead, you'll want to add some fun into one of the busiest rooms in the home.

Color bright If you're in love with one specific look or color, then commit to it and go all out. Layer silver table linens with silver chargers, napkin rings, holiday accents and more to make a simple, yet elegant statement.

Let your party be a reflection of you Prefer an intimate evening with your closest family or friends? Don't be afraid to plan a sit-down dinner. A beautiful buffet will make the evening just a little less stressful. With the right decor and serving dishes, it'll enhance even the most elegant affair.

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Holiday Season If you prefer to mingle, and want to extend the invitation to a larger group, go for a come-and-go cocktail party.

Start by ensuring that you have enough stemware for all of the guests, easy access to food on a variety of serving dishes and plates of festive appetizer for snacking. Then it's time to have some fun at the bar. Make everything look super-special by investing in a glamorous tray, and don't forget bar accessories. A cocktail shaker, ice bucket with tongs, festive towels, bottle opener and jigger are must-have pieces.

Overall, find what speaks to you, and let that dictate how you move forward with the rest of your holiday decorating.

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Teaching kids to give back C haritable giving is a part of the holiday season for many people. That giving does not have to be exclusive to adults. Parents who want to show their youngsters this season is about more than presents can approach that task in various ways.

Volunteer work Kids of all ages can volunteer. Toddlers can help collect food for a food pantry while school-aged children can assist elderly neighbors. The entire family can work together at a school, hospital or nursing facility. The earlier children become accustomed to giving back, the more inclined they may be to continue those efforts..

Clean out the closet Donating items also can teach kids valuable lessons, including helping them recognize how fortunate they are and how they are in a position to help those who are not so lucky. Parents and children can work together so it doesn’t seem like the

little ones are the only ones giving away their belongings. Adults also should sort through their items and have an equally impressive pile of donations.

Bake sale Another fun way children can get involved is by hosting a bake sale or craft sale. The proceeds of all items sold can be used to benefit a charity chosen by the kids.

Clean up Families can work together to clean up a stretch of road or a local park or even make improvements to a neighborhood playground. Just be sure to get permission from the property owner or appropriate civic authorities.

Educate others Children old enough to understand the plight of others can help to spread knowledge and awareness about particular issues. Ask a teacher if children can speak in front of the class about their charitable efforts and what others can do to make real changes.

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he holidays are a special time of year to celebrate and connect with family and friends. From a cookie swap at work to a formal holiday dinner at home, with the right kind of recipes and a little planning, any holiday gathering can be a sweet success.

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But, before you tie your apron strings and grab your rolling pin, avoid the last minute trips to the store by stocking up on baking staples like flour, butter, sugar and eggs.

Desserts are a big part of the holiday season, when many people relax restrictions on their diets to enjoy some of their favorite cookies and cakes. While such delicacies are often served at dinnertime, homemade baked goods also make great gifts come the holiday season. Whether a friend or family member is a fully devoted foodie or simply a person who loves a decadent dessert, gifting homecooked baked goods is a great way to show your loved ones just how much you appreciate them.

Mini Pumpkin Pies Prep time: 35 minutes Chill time: Several hours or overnight Cook time: 35-37 minutes Yield: 6 mini pies Crust: 3 1 1 2 6-8 1

cups all-purpose flour teaspoon salt cup vegetable shortening, cold egg yolks tablespoons ice water, divided tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Filling: 3 1 3/4 1 1/2 1 1/2 1/4 1

eggs, slightly beaten can (15 ounces) pumpkin cup packed light brown sugar teaspoons cinnamon teaspoon salt teaspoon ground ginger teaspoon ground cloves cup half and half

1. To make unbaked crusts, mix flour and salt in large bowl. Cut in shortening with pastry blender until pieces are size of small peas.

Mix egg yolks, 6 tablespoons ice water and lemon juice in small bowl. Add to flour mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring lightly and tossing with fork until moistened and dough just holds together. Add remaining ice water, if needed. Gather dough and shape into six 1-inch-thick disks.

Refrigerate, wrapped in plastic wrap, 1 hour or overnight.

2. Roll out each dough disk on lightly floured surface, rolling from center to edge, to form 6-inch circle. Fold into quarters; ease and unfold into 4-inch pie plate. Press pastry gently against bottom and sides of pie plate, easing out any air. Trim edge leaving 1/2-inch overhang. Fold

overhang under; flute edge.

Refrigerate, covered, at least 30 minutes.

3. Heat oven to 400∞F. 4. Whisk eggs, pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in medium bowl. Beat in half and half. Pour approximately 2/3 cup into each mini piecrust.

5. Carefully place pies on rack in oven. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven to 350∞F; continue baking 20-22 minutes or until knife inserted midway between center and edge of pie comes out clean.

6. Cool completely on wire rack.

Refrigerate, loosely covered, until firm, several hours or overnight.

7. Garnish with toasted pecans and whipped cream.

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Nostalgic Treats to Celebrate the Season ondly reliving the nostalgic memories of years gone by is an integral aspect of many family gatherings and celebrations.

When your get-together calls for a homemade creation, choose one that brings you back to your childhood days and ask your guests to bring one too.

Build on the basics • Prepare traditional treats such as homemade fudge, cookies or ice cream.

• Serve a wide variety of options, from finger food snacks and candies to more elaborate cakes and pies.

Blend an offering of decadent flavors such as rich chocolate cake with lighter selections

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like an angel food cake.

• Be sure to stock up on simple ingredients that easily turn ordinary ice cream flavors, like vanilla, into scrumptious treats you can make yourself.

Elicit fond memories • All desserts have a place if they bring back memories for your family. Dig into grandma's recipe box for inspiration, or ask relatives to bring desserts or recipes with special meaning to them.

• Make your memories come to life by decorating the dessert table with accents that serve up reminders of the past for your guests. Photos of celebrations

through the years or a family heirloom, such as a tablecloth passed through generations.

• Encourage guests to bring items for the table, showing their memories along with their homemade items.

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blizzard of white flakes has been falling through the night, and the school phone chain has begun. As expected, children will have a day off from school, leaving parents scrambling for ways to keep children occupied and supervised.

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Snow days may be coveted by kids (and teachers), but they may not be as beloved by parents who are unaccustomed to having kids home during the week. Working parents whose businesses are open do not have the same luxury as their children to roll over in bed and avoid trekking through the white stuff.

Fill snow days with activities & fun

But just because snow days are unexpected, that does not mean parents can’t plan for them.

Establish a plan Parents who cannot take days off from work will need a contingency plan.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29 Organize a snow day club, wherein school parents rotate taking children for the day. Working parents can reciprocate by taking the school kids on a weekend and letting the other parents have a “date night.”

Create an entertainment bin Parents can establish a snow day entertainment bin to encourage their kids to make the most of the day off.

The bin can include board games, books, building block sets, paints, and other crafts.

Plan for an indoor picnic Spread a blanket out on the living room floor and enjoy a picnic of sandwiches, snacks and hot chocolate. Kids will enjoy the novelty of eating this way.

Get cooking A snowy day is a great time to pre-

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pare meals for the rest of the week.

Older children can help with cutting vegetables and meats, while younger kids can add seasonings to pots and mix ingredients. Baking bread is another fun activity and enables kids to sculpt dough and then eat the fruits of their labors.

Create snow art Fill squeeze or squirt bottles with some water and food coloring. Allow kids to go out in the yard and create some pictures with the snow as their canvas.

Take a nature walk Grab those boots and insulated pants and head outdoors. A walk in the brisk, cold air can boost spirits and introduce kids to the beauty of winter landscapes. Take the camera along and encourage kids to snap pictures of their favorite vistas.

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