Scribble Art Studio in Savannah now has a new class schedule available! Please check www.TheScribbleArtStudio.com for further details.

Sign up your son or daughter today and give them the gift of creativity.

Portrait workshops make a unique, fun gift for the holidays as well as wonderful birthday parties/ladies night out! All ages and experience levels welcome.

Holiday workshops available at a discounted price. Workshops are 2hours, include all supplies and light refreshments. You can drop off your child while you get some holiday shopping done.

Contact Carrie Christian at 912.323.0123 or email carriechristian@hotmail.com 

Scribble Art Studio in Savannah offers children art classes as well as girls’ night out adult workshops where you can turn your favorite photograph into a work of art. For more information about sessions, contact artist Carrie Christian at 912-323-0123 or email ScribbleArtStudio@hotmail.com. Click here for more info. Scribble Art Studio, 212 E. 37th St. Savannah, 31401. Scribble Art Studio a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

When you’re looking for ways to entertain the kids this holiday break, don’t forget about Skatefest 2011 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Arena at the Savannah Civic Center
Dec. 9-Jan. 8 2011 The Savannah Civic Center turns into an ice rink for public skating.
Tickets are $7. Each session lasts for an hour and half. A 5-session pass is 30.
800.351.7469.
912.651.6556

For more kid-friendly holiday activities happening in Savannah & the Lowcountry, visit the SouthernMamas.com Holiday Guide here.

Wed. December 21 at 10:30am
Thurs. December 22 at 10:30am
Join The Sandbox For a Special Visit From Santa! “Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse!” Join us at The Sandbox where Santa Claus will read traditional Christmas stories and listen to your Christmas lists and ask if you’ve been naughty or nice! Get Your picture taken with Santa and make your own frame!. Cost included in admission: $6 per person; under 2 free.

Noon Year’s Eve Party for Kids, Saturday, December 31, 10am-2pm
Come Ring in 2012 at The Sandbox!
Celebrate the New Year with the family without staying up ’til midnight! Join us at The Sandbox for a family fun event guaranteed to kick off your New Year on the right foot!
Activities include our Sandbox Bounce Castle, Face Painting, and a chance to play in the snow, fun arts & crafts, and lunch. Party favors and a balloon drop at 12 noon! $10 per person, under 2 FREE, Sandbox members $8 per person, under 2 FREE.

December 31, 2011, 7pm to 1 am
The Crowne Plaza Resort, The Crystal Ballroom
Featuring Live Music by Trey’s Alien – The Crowne Plaza’s New Year’s Eve Dining Extravaganza – Open Bar ALL NIGHT – Silent and Live Auction – Champagne Toast & Balloon Drop at Midnight. Separate on-site children’s party ($25 per child, ages 4-12)
Special room rates are available at the Crowne Plaza for $79/night
Tickets $85 per person, $165 per couple
Tables of 8 are $640, Tables of 10 are $800
Benefiting The Sandbox Children’s Museum. Sponsorship Packages are available. Call 843-842-7645 to make your reservation RSVP by December 28th. Log onto our website, www.thesandbox.org for info.

Imagination Hour Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 am
Join The Sandbox for an hour of fun story time followed by a craft project. Program is included with admission cost to museum. First-come, first-serve, so sign up when checking in at the registration desk.
December 21 and 22, Twas the Night Before Christmas, Read by Santa himself!
December 29, A Very Special Snowflake

Holiday Craft Through the entire month of December
Come have a wonderful holiday time at the Sandbox. Make a special holiday craft. Each week there will be a different holiday theme craft. A sample is provided with all of the supplies to make it.
December 3: Hand and Foot Print Reindeer
December 10: Snowman
December 17: Christmas Tree
December 24: Reindeer Gift Bag

Get Fired Up with Pottery
Tuesdays and Saturdays
December 17, 20, 24 at 9:30am
Create a holiday gift by personalizing a ceramic plate for a friend or loved one. $15 fee ($10 for members) covers your pottery piece, supplies, firing and the museum admission fee. Pick up your pottery piece the following Friday. Registration recommended for this popular program.

The Sandbox An Interactive Children’s Museum, 18A Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
843.842.7645 or 843-290-4557 (cell), www.thesandbox.org

Best local holiday light displays.  Planning on driving around and checking out the best local holiday house decorations? From giant Santa snow globes to computerized Christmas lights animated with music, we have your guide to local home holiday light displays.

Two computer-controlled “dancing” light displays not to be missed which have lights choreographed to blink, twink and fade in red, blue, green and white, in sync with a custom-mixed soundtrack of holiday tunes. They are:

1. The Whitemarsh Island home of the Kesslers. In the Battery point subdivision
at 105 Mapmaker Lane: computerized lights display animated with music. Hours & more info here.

2. 182 Mills Run Drive, off Chatham Parkway: computerized lights display animated with music. The Peabody light display is amazing (pictured here) Hours are 6-10:30 PM Sun-Thurs & 6-11:30 PM Fri & Sat.

3. A beloved old-fashioned holiday yard display that on certain nights features hot chocolate for visitors and even Santa visits at 512 Gordonston Ave., Savannah.

Ones that we haven’t checked out yet this year but in the past have been great. We’ve been told many of these are still brillant this year.
• 711 South Drive
• 202 Blue Marlin Drive in Seagate, Whitemarsh Island
• 203 Windsor Road, Windsor Forest
• 18 Cutler Drive, Georgetown area (in the same area, drive down Lions Gate (also in Georgetown), there are several brightly-decorated homes as well as a house on Waynesboro)
• 136 Chimney Road, Rincon
• 13008 Largo Drive, Windsor Forest
116 Community Road in Faulkville Lakeside Farms
• 16 Godley Park Way in Pooler
• 504 E. 52 St

HOLIDAY LIGHTS WORTH THE DRIVE!

Harbour Town Lights, Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Is. FREE. Details here

Lights Before (& After) Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia, S.C. Details here.

Holiday Festival of Lights 2011, Charleston S.C. Details here

You’re invited to a daytime New Year’s Eve party for kids 10 AM-2 PM Saturday, December 31 at The Sandbox, an interactive children’s museum on Hilton Head Is.

Help The Sandbox ring in 2012! Want to celebrate the New Year without staying up til midnight? Come to The Sandbox for a family fun event guaranteed to kick off your New Year on the right foot!

Featuring:
Special games, activities including our bounce house and a chance to play in the snow, fun arts & crafts, lunch, party favors and a balloon drop at 12 noon!

Adults & Children $10, under 2 Free! (sorry, coupons not valid for admission)

For more information, call (843) 842-7645 or stop by The Sandbox at 18-A Pope Avenue.

The Sandbox, 18-A Pope Ave., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, 843-842-7645 or 843-290-4557 (cell), www.thesandbox.org

Please join La Dee Da Children’s Boutique this Friday and Saturday Dec. 16 & 17 2011 for HUGE holiday savings and open house.

All Holiday apparel will be 40% off. Take 25% off everything else!

Enjoy food, wine and amazing savings on names like Giggle Moon, Le top, Bailey Boys, Anavini, Claire & Charlie, Rileyroos, Kalencom, Mudpie and LaJenn’s.

Wine, dine and shop with La Dee Da Friday evening from 5pm-8pm as they celebrate the holidays with the moms and grand moms La Dee Da appreciates so much.

Looking for a great gift idea? Purchase a $100 gift certificate and La Dee Da will throw in a $25 one for free! Purchase a $50 gift certificate and receive a free additional $10 certificate.

For more information call 912.295.5470 or click here . “Like” La Dee Da on Facebook  here here to stay informed about great deals & events. Conveniently located in Rincon on Hwy 21 in Goshen Park next to Milano and Baibry’s.

La Dee Da Children’s Boutique is now open at 135 Goshen Road Extension in Goshen Park right on Hwy 21 in Rincon, For more info call 912.295.5470, visit www.LaDeeDaKids.com. or like the boutique on Facebook here! La Dee Da Children’s Boutique looks forward to serving you and your child. La Dee Da Children’s Boutique is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Looking for something to do with the kids this holiday break?

Check out the SCAD Museum of Art, from its glowing outdoor chairs to the interactive one-of-a-kind touch table, the museum is sure to inspire.

Free admission for children under 14.

For more information visit, www.scadmoa.org  or call 912.525.7191. SCAD MOA is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

SCAD Museum of Art, 601 Turner Blvd. Savannah, 31401

Let Oatland Island Wildlife Center help with your Holiday Shopping! Take part in the drop n’shop program noon-5 PM Sat. Dec. 17, 2011. The program is for children in grades K-6th. $25 per child. Additional children $15.

Wondering how you are going to get all your shopping and last minute errands finished in time? Let Oatland help you! Drop your child off at Oatland Island Wildlife Center’s Drop ‘n’ Shop! program and you can go Shop for all your holiday needs. While you are off getting many errands finished, your child will be hiking with an Oatland guide, playing games, making holiday themed crafts and enjoying a live animal encounter. All this is topped off with popcorn and a holiday movie! Let the kids have Fun at Oatland while you get your holiday shopping tied in a bow of accomplishment! Be sure to give your child some spending money of their own because as part of the program, kids can do their holiday shopping at Oatland Island Trading Post Gift shop! Call to make your reservation today: 912-395-1500

Come out to see “Friends” over a 10 Day showing at The Puppet People this December.

“Friends” is a shadow puppet show based on an African Folk Tale. Featuring the unlikely friendship that forms between Frog Child and Snake Child, as they get to know each other and celebrate the things that make them different from one another.

December 19th-23rd and 26th-30th.

10:00 – 11:00 AM everyday!

Half Price Special! $5 a Person! -Puppet show includes FREE Make-Your-Own Shadow Puppet and instruction on using a Shadow Stage-

** Call-in Reservations Perferred**

The Puppet Place, 3119 Furber Avenue, Savannah, GA 31405, 912-355-3366, http://puppetpeople.com. The Puppet Place is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

“First Day Hikes” Help Start the New Year with a Healthy Heart

Georgia’s State Parks host 12 New Year’s Day Hikes across the state, inviting families and friends to start the New Year with a “First Day Hike” and a commitment to healthy living.

In Georgia, a dozen state parks have planned guided hikes where people can connect with nature and even re-connect with each other. The nationwide event is sponsored by America’s State Parks, with New Year’s Day hikes being led in all 50 states.

Kicking off the New Year with an invigorating hike fits into the mission of the Georgia State Parks Tons of Fun Initiative: to encourage citizens to lead healthier lifestyles through outdoor recreation. The TonsofFun.org website includes exercise ideas, healthy recipes, nutritionist and personal trainer advice, and more.

A list of all ranger-led hikes on New Year’s Day can be found here, and the entire calendar of events can be found at GeorgiaStateParks.org/Events. Families may want to call ahead to make sure hikes are suitable for the youngest family members.

To see the various First-Day Hikes in Georgia’s State Parks held on New Year’s Day 2012, click here.

Need a few hours to run errands this holiday season?
Scribble Art Studio in Savannah is offering workshops for children ages 2 and older. Students will have fun while making a variety of holiday-inspired activities. These art workshops are available Mon-Thurs mornings/early afternoons. 1-2 hours. Visit Scribble’s Facebook page here for updated workshop times.

Please call or email for details. Email scribbleartstudio@hotmail.com  or call 912.323.0123.

Scribble Art Studio in Savannah offers children art classes as well as girls’ night out adult workshops where you can turn your favorite photograph into a work of art. For more information about sessions, contact artist Carrie Christian at 912-323-0123 or email ScribbleArtStudio@hotmail.com. Click here for more info. Scribble Art Studio, 212 E. 37th St. Savannah, 31401. Scribble Art Studio a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Looking for a way to keep the kids entertained and their brains stimulated over the upcoming holiday break?

Join Savannah Children’s Theatre for their third annual Holiday Follies, a 3-day musical theatre workshop just for kids! From 9 AM to 3 PPM, students will participate in singing, dancing, acting and improv classes to create a one-of-a-kind seasonal showcase. This is a wonderful opportunity to sample all that SCT has to offer! More info here.

December 19, 20 & 21, 9am-3pm.
$35 per day
OR
save 20% and attend all 3 days for only $85!

Savannah Children’s Theatre, 2160 E. Victory Drive. Savannah, 31404, (912)238-9015, email
info@savannahchildrenstheatre.org , www.savannahchildrenstheatre.org/

We’ve got it all: Christmas parades, holiday caroling, the Santa Train, holiday lights tours. Find out where to find Santa and when Skatefest starts at the Savannah Civic Center.

Visit our Holidays 2011 Guide frequently this holiday season for updates about kid-friendly holiday events.

For your convenience, the link to the SouthernMamas.com Holidays 2011 Guide will posted on the SouthernMamas home page in the column to the right throughout the holiday season. Enjoy! Click here.

Christmas Tree Farms near the Savannah area.

(Please click on the Farm to obtain information and directions)

A&A Christmas Trees ~23 miles away
Okatie, SC 29909
Owners: Jerry & Dianne Youngblood
Website: http://www.aachristmastrees.com
email: aachristmastreeman@yahoo.com
Phone: (843) 987-9423
Open: Nov 26 – Dec 19
Monday: 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Choose & Cut Tree Varieties: Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress, White Pine
Additional Pre-Cut Varieties Available: Fraser Fir
Services include: drill trunk, shake needles, bale tree, assist with loading
Farm Features: Fresh Wreaths, Gift Shop/Barn

Okatie Farm ~23 miles away
Okatie, SC 29909
39 Okatie Bluff Road
Okatie, South Carolina 29909
Owners: Wes Cooler
Website: http://www.okatiefarm.com
email: info@okatiefarm.com
Phone: (843) 227-8733
Open: Nov 26 – Dec 23
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Choose & Cut Tree Varieties: Blue Ice, Carolina Sapphire, Deodar Cedar, Eastern Red Cedar, Leyland Cypress, Virginia Pine
Additional Pre-Cut Varieties Available: Fraser Fir
Services include: drill trunk, shake needles, bale tree, assist with loading
Farm Features: Balled & Burlap or Container TreesFresh Wreaths

The Family Tree Christmas Tree Farm ~37 miles away
Ladys Island, SC 29907
Trotter’s Loop
Beaufort, South Carolina 29907
Owners: Janet Mark and Milledge Morris
email: carolinastamper@hargray.com
Phone: (843) 812-2587
Open: Nov 26 – Dec 25
Monday: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Choose & Cut Tree Varieties: Eastern Red Cedar, Leyland Cypress, Virginia Pine
Additional Pre-Cut Varieties Available: Fraser Fir
Services include: drill trunk, shake needles, bale tree, assist with loading
Farm Features: Fresh Wreaths

Brewer’s Christmas Tree Farm, Midway Ga. 31320
1067 Robert Hill Rd.
November 26th – December 24th Daylight to Dark-7 days a week.
912-884-5292

Edge’s Christmas Tree Farm
1556 Bowen Rushing Rd. Statesboro, Ga. 30458
(912) 687-1330 or (912) 852-5394
Leland Cypress, Murray Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Blue Ice, and Virginia Pines ranging in size from 4ft to 9ft

The City of Savannah is offering two deals to make it easier to park and shop in Downtown Savannah this holiday season.

DEAL #1 – Test Drive the city’s Garages: From Thanksgiving till the end of December, the first three hours of parking are FREE in all City parking garages between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. every Thursday and Friday. With more than 3,000 spaces in the City’s five conveniently-located garages (listed below), there is almost always parking available just a few steps from of one of the most unique shopping districts in the Southeast.

DEAL #2: – Half-Off Parking: Beginning today and for a limited time, the City will sell Parking Smart Cards for 50% OFF their face value. Parking Smart Cards are like gift cards that can be used at any “pay and display” parking meter in Savannah (images of Parking Smart Card and pay and display meters attached). The Cards can be purchased in denominations of $25, $50, $75 or $100. They can be used any time, and have no expiration date. They are perfect stocking stuffers, and a tremendous deal for those who ever park in the Historic District north of Broughton Street, where the pay and display meters are concentrated.

CONTACT: To purchase a Smart Card, call 651-6470, or stop by the Parking Services Office at 100 E. Bryan St., on the ground level of the Bryan Street Parking Garage.

GARAGE INFO: Visit www.savannahga.gov/parking to view a map of garage locations, check rates, and see hours of operation. The five City parking garages are:

- Bryan St. Garage, 100 E. Bryan St., (912) 651-6477

- Liberty St. Garage, 301 W. Liberty St., (912) 644-5934

- Robinson Garage, 132 Montgomery St., (912) 651-6478

- State St. Garage, 100 E. State St., (912) 651-6473

- Whitaker St Garage, 7 Whitaker St., (912) 525-2820

For kid-friendly holiday activities happening in Savannah & the Lowcountry, visit the SouthernMamas.com Holiday Guide here.

Make plans to see “The Nutcracker in Savannah” at the downtown Savannah historic Lucas Theatre presented by the Savannah Danse Theatre. Each year the Danse Theatre presents something just a little bit unique to the Nutcracker with no two years exactly alike, adding many local and regional references to the ballet, and featuring local celebrities

The Nutcracker in Savannah presented by The Savannah Danse Theatre
November 26, 2011
2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
www.SavannahDance.com

Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season as Clara’s dream turns larger than life with Savannah as the backdrop of this holiday tradition. Join the Savannah Danse Theatre as we bring the magic of this holiday classic alive in 1945 Savannah! Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season as a young girl’s dream turns larger than life with a special nutcracker, a vengeful river rat, dancing snowflakes and sumptuous ice cream from Leopold’s –all choreographed to Tchaikovsky’s exquisite musical score.

Savannah Danse Theatre brings a stellar ballet production to Savannah residents and their children. Each year the Danse Theatre presents something just a little bit unique to the Nutcracker with no two years exactly alike, adding many local and regional references to the ballet, and featuring local celebrities. The pageantry of the holiday season wouldn’t be the same without this enchanted ballet!

Tickets are $12 for the afternoon show and $35, $28, $21, $15 with a $5 military discount for the evening show, and are available by calling 912-525-5050 or online here. Matinee includes a Meet & Greet with characters following the show.

For more kid-friendly holiday activities happening in Savannah & the Lowcountry, visit the SouthernMamas.com Holiday Guide here.

The Next Generation, founded to benefit The Children’s Hospital at Memorial University Medical Center (“The Children’s Hospital”), will receive toy donations from this weekend’s upcoming Sailing with Santa event with Savannah Riverboat Cruises.

Sailing with Santa cruises are Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 & 26. Boarding at 1:30pm, sailing from 2-3pm at Savannah Riverboat Cruises, 9 E. River St.

The goal is to help raise toys for children receiving care at The Children’s Hospital at Memorial Health, Savannah Riverboat Cruises has partnered with The Next Generation for their Sailing with Santa Cruise.

Local families can enjoy a riverboat cruise with Santa, along with games and food. Kids sail FREE with the donation of an unwrapped toy. Purchase tickets here.

You’re invited: Pottery Sale & Holiday Ornament Making Workshop at Tiffany Drabek Pottery Studio, Savannah.
Friday & Saturday November 25 & 26
9 am To 4 pm

Ornament Workshop

Looking for something to do with family and friends during the Thanksgiving weekend? Enjoy the holiday season together while you make clay ornaments. Each participant will receive a large rolled out soft slab of clay with which they will make 10-15 ornaments using cookie cutters. They can decorate their ornaments with stamps and texture tools. They will be fired in the kiln and ready for pick up within two weeks. At home, the ornaments can be spray painted with gold, or hand painted with acrylics and glitter.

Walk In Rate: $8/pp with 1-9 participants

Reservation Rate: $7/pp with 1-9 Participants (If you reserve in advance by emailing or a phone call, you save $1!)

Large Groups (10 +): Church Groups, Schools, Clubs, Organizations, etc.

Please call 692-0659 for reduced rates with groups of 10 or more participants. Also, alternative dates and times are available for large groups by reservation if the date of the event doesn’t work for you. If you are a school and need this at your location, Tiffany can bring the workshop to you! This opportunity will be offered through mid-December.

Pottery Sale

You may be looking for something unique to give as Christmas or Chanukah gifts. The pottery sale will have chip-n-dip plates, bowls, salt and pepper shakers, French butter dishes, berry bowls, yarn bowls and more.

Enjoy some sweets and coffee at Tiffany Drabek Pottery Studio as we celebrate this festive season!

Tiffany Drabek Pottery Studio
215 East 64th Street
Ornament Workshop Reservations: 692-0659
tiffanydrabek@gmail.com
www.tiffanydrabekdesigns.com

Tiffany Drabek Pottery Studio is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Looking for Santa?  We have the dates he’ll be available to listen to your child’s Christmas wish list and pose for photos at Oglethorpe & Savannah Malls including free photos at Bass Pro Shops!

Children Photos with Santa at Oglethorpe Mall
11/19/2011 – 12/24/2011
Free Hugs, Free Smiles, Free Wishes and of course Free HO HO HOs!
Santa has made his way from the North Pole and is ready to greet children of all ages. Holiday photo packages are also available.
After your visit with Santa, receive a login to manage your photos at myalbumpics.com.
Click here for photo package pricing.
LOCATION: Santa Set in Macy’s Court.

St. Nick’s Pet Pics at Oglethorpe Mall
11/28/2011 – 12/12/2011
It’s a Waggin’ Good Time!
Oglethorpe Mall has reserved a special time with Santa for furry friends. Bring your favorite tail wagger for a portrait with Santa on the following three Monday nights: November 28, December 5, December 12. Capture that special moment and take home the memory that will last a lifetime.
Portraits with Santa begin at 6pm. Photo Packages available for purchase.
Santa welcomes dogs and cats only, please.
LOCATION: Santa Set
TIME: Monday nights from 6:00pm – Set Close

Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops, Savannah Mall
Now through Christmas Eve you can get a free photo with Santa as part the Bass Pro Santa’s Wonderland celebration. Click here for specific times and events.

The Holiday Train at Savannah Mall
11.19.11 – 12.24.11
Kids ride for just $2, and parents ride with them for free! Stop by center court for a magical ride through a holiday wonderland, then visit Santa at the Target court.