Austin, TX

If you’re just getting around to taking the kids to see Santa and get pictures, you’re in luck, you still have just a couple of more opportunities:

Santa at Barton Creek Square
When: Daily 11/7/08 - 12/24/08
Where: Barton Creek Square, 2901 South Capital of Texas Highway
$$$: Free

Santa at Lakeline Mall
When: Daily 11/8/08 - 12/24/08
Where: Lakeline Mall, 11200 Lakeline Mall Drive, Cedar Park
$$$: Free

Santa at Highland Mall
When: Daily 11/22/08 - 12/24/08
Where: Highland Mall, 6001 Airport Boulevard, Austin
$$$: Free

Kids can visit with Santa in his village on the lower level near Men’s Dillard’s. Photo packages available for sale.

Cowboy Christmas at Enchanted Springs Ranch
When: 20 - 21 Dec 2008
Where: Enchanted Springs Ranch, 242 Hwy 46 W, Boerne, TX. 830-249-8222
$$$: $12 adults, $6 kids (ages 3-12), Kids under 3 are free

An active western town and movie set Shows, hayrides, caroling, petting zoo and a Cowboy Santa highlight this fun event!

Christmas Tidings at the French Legion
When: December 20, 2008, 10am-1pm
Where: The French Legation Museum, 802 San Marcos Street, Austin, TX
$$$: Free

The day will kick off with a visit from Pere Noel himself! Children of all ages are invited to visit from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. Professional pictures from SMB Photography (www.smbphotography.biz) will be available for purchase on site. Time with Pere Noel will be FREE of charge.

Free Photos with Santa
When: Dec. 20-21, Saturday 12-6p& Sunday 12-5p
Where: Mitchie Gallery, Lincoln Village Shopping Center, IH 35 N @ 290 Hwy W
$$$: FREE

Story Time for Kids, Refreshments & FREE Gift, Saturday, 1-2p. Mitchie’s Gallery specializes in
African & African American Fine Arts, Books, Cards, Calendars, Collectibles & Custom Framing

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>>>>>Page 3 - Stuff for Big Kids (Adults) to do. Yeah, that means you…

Last weekend before Christmas. I am almost done with my shopping. Finally! If you still have shopping to do you might want to know that there are still a few holiday bazaars going on:

8th Annual Blue Genie Art Bazaar
When: December 3rd through December 24th, 2008
Open at 10:00am Daily
• Sunday through Thursday 10am to 10pm
• Friday through Saturday 10am to Midnight
• Sunday December 24th 10am to 6pm
Where: Monarch Events Center, 6406 North IH–35, Suite 3100
$$$: Free

Featuring over 80 artists and artisans, and running for 22 consecutive days, this year’s Art Bazaar will offer Holiday shoppers the opportunity to purchase unique, one-of-a-kind gifts in time for Christmas.

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar –
When: Dec. 12-24, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Where: Austin Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 2, 500 E. César Chávez St. Enter on Trinity near 2nd Street. 512-447-1605
$$$: $3 weekdays before 7 p.m., $6 evenings and weekends

The 33rd annual Armadillo Christmas Bazaar will once again be at the Austin Convention Center. It remains the same truly Austin honky-tonk bar shopping experience that has made the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar one of the region’s most beloved holiday traditions - just a bigger venue.

Keep Austin Bizarre
When: Dec. 12-23, 11am-11pm
Where: Palmer Event Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd.
$$$: Adults $5, 12 Day pass $25, Children under 12 Free

With an atmosphere true to Austin, the holiday shopping event will feature over 100 local artists and small businesses selling unique gifts and fine, hand crafted items at affordable prices. In addition, there will be tribal, improvisational and yogic dance performances, capoeira, circus acts, and resident musicians who play while patrons shop. This year more of the community has joined hands with Keep Austin Bizarre and will include performances by groups such as the JCC (Jewish Community Center), Girls School of Austin Orchestra, Mexican American Cultural Center, Amala Foundation, Lululemon Athletica, Crossfit Central Kids, and the Zilker Elementary School kid’s choir. In addition, the bazaar is supporting the non-profit Africa Bound Corporation. Food and drink, including a full bar, will be available.

Etsy Holiday Bazaar
When: Fri.-Sun., Dec. 19-21
Where: Broken Neck, 4701 Red Bluff Ste. B.
$$$: $5 ($3, children)

Local bands all weekend, a skate demo on Saturday, and handmade items perfect for gifting as far as the eye can see. Everyone likes something handmade under the tree, especially when your hands were spared the work.

These are all great craft shows and bazaars that you won’t want to miss.

>>>>>Page 2 - Last chances to see Santa in 2008
>>>>>Page 3 - Stuff for Big Kids (Adults) to do. Yeah, that means you…

I don’t think there is anything nicer than homemade gifts. A homemade gift says that a person has spent more than money on you, they’ve spent time and we all know how precious time can be these days.

It’s easy these days to either shove money in your child’s hands and let them buy gifts for family members but it’s a lot more rewarding to help them make something. Here is one suggestion that will bring joy for years to come. Make a set of these fragrant ornaments and give them to Grandma’s and Auntie’s who will be sure to treasure them. Of course you don’t need a child to make these ornaments, they also make lovely hostess gifts and they look great tied to the front of your wrapped packages!

Cinnamon Christmas Ornaments (NOT edible!!)

Ingredients

1 cup ground cinnamon
1/4 cup applesauce
1/2 cup craft glue
1 drinking straw

Directions

In a medium bowl, mix together 1 cup ground cinnamon and 1/4 cup applesauce using a rubber spatula.

Stir in 1/2 cup craft glue. Stir the dough until consistency is smooth and dry. Let stand 1 hour. Applesauce gives the dough pliability, glue makes it firm, and cinnamon imparts a lovely fragrance and a gingerbread color.

Turn out one-quarter of dough onto a cool, flat surface; flatten with your hands.

Flatten with a rolling pin to 1/4 inch thick. If dough becomes too dry, spritz with water. If it sticks to rolling pin or work surface, sprinkle with additional cinnamon.

Cut shapes out with cookie cutters, templates or a butter knife.

With a straw, poke a hole in dough (for hanging). Air-dry ornaments on a wire rack lined with paper towels for 24 hours, turning them over every 6 hours or so to keep them flat. Alternatively, preheat oven to 200 degrees. Transfer ornaments to a baking sheet; bake, flipping once, until dry, about 2 hours. Once the dough has dried completely, you can decorate the finest embellishment to the coarsest, adding glitter, sequins, beads or whatever else you like. Or you can leave them naked and simply thread some red or green ribbon through the holes.

Of course, if you’re the Martha Stewart type you can make beautiful elaborate birds.

There is so much going on this weekend I barely no where to start. First off a couple of big holiday markets kick off this weekend. One of my faves:

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar –
When: Dec. 12-24, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Where: Austin Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 2, 500 E. César Chávez St. Enter on Trinity near 2nd Street. 512-447-1605
$$$: $3 weekdays before 7 p.m., $6 evenings and weekends

The 33rd annual Armadillo Christmas Bazaar will once again be at the Austin Convention Center. It remains the same truly Austin honky-tonk bar shopping experience that has made the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar one of the region’s most beloved holiday traditions - just a bigger venue.

Keep Austin Bizarre
When: Dec. 12-23, 11am-11pm
Where: Palmer Event Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd.
$$$: Adults $5, 12 Day pass $25, Children under 12 Free

With an atmosphere true to Austin, the holiday shopping event will feature over 100 local artists and small businesses selling unique gifts and fine, hand crafted items at affordable prices. In addition, there will be tribal, improvisational and yogic dance performances, capoeira, circus acts, and resident musicians who play while patrons shop. This year more of the community has joined hands with Keep Austin Bizarre and will include performances by groups such as the JCC (Jewish Community Center), Girls School of Austin Orchestra, Mexican American Cultural Center, Amala Foundation, Lululemon Athletica, Crossfit Central Kids, and the Zilker Elementary School kid’s choir. In addition, the bazaar is supporting the non-profit Africa Bound Corporation. Food and drink, including a full bar, will be available.

Cherrywood Art Fair
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 13, noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 14;
Where: Maplewood Elementary School, 3808 Maplewood Ave. (at East 38th Street)
$$$: Free

This totally groovy, totally cool holiday art event gathers some of the best local artisans, jewelry- and handbag-makers, ceramists and artists. All-day live music, children’s activities, food and nonstop fun. Free.

>>>>>>>Page 2: Even more things to do!

Looking for places offering breakfast with Santa? Here are a few I’ve found:

The Driskill
604 Brazos
Austin, TX 78701
When: Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, 9-11 am
Where: Victorian Room
$$$: $16 Children; parents accompanying a child, $8
Reservations Required: 512-391-7121

Children, and their parents, enjoy an exciting buffet breakfast with Santa himself! (Santa will arrive aboard a vintage fire truck). Storytelling and games will be provided, as well as decorating a gingerbread house. (Service will be provided by the Banquets Department.) Menu includes:

Georgetown Breakfast with Santa
When: Saturday, December 13 2008, 8:00am - 11:00am
Where: New Central Fire Station 1, 301 Industrial Ave., Georgetown, TX
$$$: $6 (Free for disadvantaged families)
Contact: 930-3473

Enjoy a pancake and sausage breakfast prepared and served by Firefighters and Rotarians. Children explore fire trucks, visit with firefighters, and have their pictures taken with Santa. This event benefits the disadvantaged children in our community.

Lakeway Resort & Spa, Brunch with Santa
When: Sunday, December 7th, 2008 from10:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Where: Travis Restaurant, 101 Lakeway Dr, Lakeway, TX 78734
$$$: $29 per person (adults), $14 per person (kids 6-11), Kids under 6 free
Reservations: 512.261.7323

A bit pricier than the others but the menu looks fabulous.