Happy December! Our last issue of 2023 is filled with holiday-themed content: a preview of the Festival of Trees & Light; a list of area light displays and visits with Santa; tips for surviving the season with your finances intact; and, of course, our annual gift guide. Plus, our calendar has tons of ongoing festivities. Happy holidays from all of us at Family Times! Click here to read the current issue!

Community Announcements

H. Lee White Maritime Museum to Host Christmas at Sea Open House The museum is pleased to host its annual Christmas at Sea Open House on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 1-4 p.m. Come and celebrate this unique holiday tradition in Oswego’s Historic Maritime District, located on the West First Street Pier.

It’s “Give the Gift of Sight” Month! – Your eyes play a crucial role in experiencing the magic of the holiday season, from the twinkling lights to the joyful smiles of friends and family. It's a perfect moment to reflect on the vital role that clear and healthy vision plays in enhancing life's special moments.

NUMBERLESS DREAMS: Online Creative Writing Workshops for Teens with Disabilities – This groundbreaking program, in partnership with Syracuse University’s Burton Blatt Institute and Nine Mile Press, connects teens with disabilities to professional writers, many of whom are themselves disabled.

Around Central New York Dragons to Descend on the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in 2024 Not So Tiny Nutcracker Display at the History Center in Utica

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Holiday Gift Guide

With the holidays right around the corner, are you still searching for the perfect gift for a friend or family member? You’ll find something for all ages – and interests – in our annual gift guide.

Educator of the Month

Each month, we include a Q&A with a local educator in our magazine. Click here to see our previous Educators of the Month.

December Events

A Christmas Carol (Syracuse Stage) Dec. 1–31 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (The Stanley) Monday, Dec. 4 Art Story with the Utica Public Library (Munson) Thursday, Dec. 7 Winter Insects with Rick Mikula (Great Swamp Conservancy) Saturday, Dec. 9 Syracuse Crunch vs. Utica Comets (Upstate Medical Arena) Saturday, Dec. 9 Symphoria – Nutcracker Twist: An Enchanted Journey (Landmark Theatre) Saturday, Dec. 9 DIY Eco-Friendly Ornaments (Baltimore Woods Nature Center) Saturday, Dec. 16 Decorate Sugar Cookies (Beaver Lake Nature Center) Saturday, Dec. 16 TACNY Junior Cafe Scientifique (MOST) Saturday, Dec. 16

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Editor's Picks – December Events Looking for something to do this month? Check out these five events! Click here to watch the video.

Here are a few library events happening during the month of December:

Spanish Lesson: All About Christmas Monday, Dec. 4 Fairmount Community Library Tween Scene – Candy Cane Edition Wednesday, Dec. 6 Liverpool Public Library Macrame Icicles Tuesday, Dec. 7 NOPL Brewerton Breakfast with the North Star Saturday, Dec. 9 Community Library of DeWitt & Jamesville Gingerbread Houses Saturday, Dec. 9 Hazard Branch Library

Family Cookie Decorating Saturday, Dec. 9 Maxwell Memorial Library Teen Holiday Bark Off Tuesday, Dec. 12 NOPL North Syracuse Christmas Tree Origami Tuesday, Dec. 12 NOPL Cicero Snowy Owl Pinecone Craft Thursday, Dec. 14 Fayetteville Free Library Holiday Music with Donna B. and Santa! Saturday, Dec. 16  Minoa Library

More library events in December

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Featured Category

The Family Times Community Guide includes a directory of local businesses, listed by category. Each month, we will feature one of those categories in our newsletter.

Last Month's Recap

Didn't have a chance to read last month's issue? Don't worry about it! You can still read all of our great content online. Here are some things you may have missed:

Lights on the Lake Guide  For more than three decades, families around Central New York have been making Lights on the Lake part of their holiday traditions.

How to Create Thankful Kids

Treat Yourself: Dickens Christmas returns to Skaneateles for 30th year

Want to let CNY know about your event? Telling the world is easy; just email Family Times editor Courtney Kless with the information. Email Us

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