The Tybee Polar Plunge returns to Tybee Island on Tuesday, January 1, 2013! Join thousands of people and take the plunge into the brisk Atlantic Ocean at 12:00 noon on New Year’s Day. It’s a great way for the ENTIRE FAMILY to start off the New Year!

WHERE: Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion – Tybee Island, GA 31328

WHEN: January 1, 2013

COST: $25.00 Sign up to be a Tybee Post Theater member and SAVE! Member price is only $22.50.

Online registration is no longer available. Please see below for registering in person.

IN-PERSON REGISTRATION

You can register for the Polar Plunge or the Gang of Goofs contest in person at the Tybrisa Roundabout on Saturday, December 29, Sunday, December 30 and Monday, December 31st from 12pm – 3pm or on Tuesday, January 1 from 9am – 11:30am at the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion (deadline to register for the Gang of Goofs contest on January 1st is 10:30am).

Come out to see “Friends” at The Puppet People this December & save on tickets via Puppet People’s Living Social Deal.. Only $7.00 per person with the Living Social discount. Click here for the discount.

“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.

Angela Beasley’s Puppet People has a Living Social half price special for December 22, 27, 28, 29 on the shadow show and shadow puppet Mom & Me puppet making session: “Friends:” “Why Frog Child & Snake Child Can’t Play Together”
Cost : $15.00 per ticket
With Living Social: $7.00 per ticket. Click here for the discount.

Show details here.

Angela Beasley’s Puppet People “The Puppet Place” in Thunderbolt, 3119 Furber Avenue, Savannah, GA 31405, 912-355-3366, http://puppetpeople.com. The Puppet Place is also an ideal spot to host children’s birthday parties! Puppet People is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Celebrate the end of the year with the entire family in a healthy way at this great family-friendly three-day New Year’s event: Alive in Savannah 2012.
This popular annual celebration takes place Dec. 29-Dec. 31 2012 at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa’s race track.
Kids can enjoy a carnival atmosphere with bounce houses, a 5 sided Rock Climbing Wall, Zip Line, Rope Swing, Super Slides
There will also music, kids’ fun run & fireworks.
Other competitions include 5K, 10K, Extreme Fitness Challenge & more. On-site childcare provided for competitors.
Forgo the pricey babysitter and crowded bars for this fit, family event.
Stay connected by “liking” Alive in Savannah on Facebook here.

Here’s the schedule of events

Schedule:
Dec 29th
PB&J Relay – 4 x 800 and 4 x whatever relay (2 miles total)
Alive Extreme Fitness Contest Open qualifier
Dec 30th
Alive Extreme Fitness Contest Gym qualifier
Live Music
Dec 31st
Youth Band Competition
Alive Extreme Fitness Contest Champions
Kids Run ¼ mile
5K, 10K Race through the Westin Golf Course
2 Live Bands
Team Impact Presentation
Fireworks

All three days
20 Inflatables
Childcare for participants up to 2 hours
Savannah Harbor Festival of Lights Drive through Light show

Alive in Savannah @ Westin Savannah, www.aliveinsavannah.com/ , Alive in Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Need Last Minute Gifts or Fresh, Local food for your Holiday Feast?

The Savannah Food Co-op will be open to the public for shopping hours on Thursday, Dec. 20th from 2-6pm.

Non-members are welcome to check out the co-op’s holiday bounty. You don’t have to be a member of the co-op. The Savannah Food Co-op will have a little of everything from toys, gift bags, and handmade soaps to produce, dairy and dry goods. Stop by to say hello and see why the co-op’s members love to ‘shop the co-op’!

Savannah Food Co-op is centrally located at the corner of Waters Ave & E 59th St, tucked right behind Savannah Tire in a cream colored warehouse. Look for the wheat logo sign, it’s visible from Waters Ave. The address is 1106 E. 59th St, 31404 (right across from Columbus Ave).

Savannnah Food Co-op has two amazingly simple and totally gratifying recipes on their blog this week – one a craft, the other a treat. Cinnamon Ornaments are made with three simple ingredients – cinnamon, applesauce and glue! Check out the Savannah Food Co-op team’s experience making these with their kids,  included all of their tips for making things easier and more fun. The treat is Chocolate Peppermint Coconut Fudge. We probably don’t need to say anything else, but in case anyone’s not sold yet… it’s pretty darn healthy, takes less than 10 minutes to make and is waaay easier than cookies if you’re looking for a quick bit of edible holiday cheer. (On a personal note, I made this fudge last night for gifts & was trying not to “test” any, but I did & it was so yummy)

Savannah Food Co-op, http://savannahfoodcoop.com/, email managers@savannahfoodcoop.com , Savannah Food Co-Op is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Help Savannah Baby Co in their efforts to provide love and cheer to the students of Sandy Hook Elementary.

The National PTA released an article with a fantastic idea: to collect as many snowflakes possible so that when the kids start school back next year they’ll be welcomed by a magnificent “winter wonderland.”

Read the article here.

So get creative and craft away! Snowflakes can be dropped off at Savannah Baby Co. and they’ll mail them all.

If they gather 500 snowflakes, Savannah Baby Co will also make a donation to Savannah Chatham CASA in honor of the victims.

Or you want to mail your snowflakes directly, the mailing address to those collecting snowflakes for the school is:
Connecticut PTSA
60 Connolly Parkway
Building 12, Suite 103
Hamden, CT 06514

Savannah Baby Company, 5301 Paulsen at the corner of Paulsen St and 69th in the Medical Arts neighborhood, 912-480-0212, www.savannahbabyco.com, Savannah Baby Company is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

The Sandbox Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Is. is having a visit from Santa Wednesday, December 19, Thursday, December 20, Friday, December 21, and Monday, December 24, at 10:30am!

Bring your kids for a special visit from Santa all the way from the North Pole. He will read traditional Christmas stories including “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Santa will talk to your child and find out what he or she would like for Christmas. Get your child’s picture made with Santa and then create a frame to put it in! Enjoy special holiday treats and The Sandbox all decked out for Christmas.

This special holiday program is included in admission ($7 per person and under 1 are free).

The Sandbox will also have special holiday arts and crafts activities throughout the holiday season.
Holiday Arts and Crafts
December 22: Reindeer Gift Bag
Cost: FREE with admission

Visit www.thesandbox.org  for information on other upcoming events and activities.

The Sandbox, 18-A Pope Avenue, next to St. Andrew By-the-Sea United Methodist Church, Hilton Head Is., S.C. 29928
843.842.7645, www.thesandbox.org

You’re invited to a Living Nativity Scene at Wilmington Island Presbyterian, 450 North Cromwell Road, Savannah 31410.

The nativity scene (including camels) will be on Tuesday, December 18th from 4-7pm. Everyone is welcome.

FOR MORE LOCAL HOLIDAY KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS, VISIT SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM ULTIMATE HOLIDAY GUIDE HERE. OR VISIT OUR ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

FOR OUR PICKS FOR BEST LOCAL HOLIDAY LIGHTS DISPLAYS & HOME DECORATIONS, CLICK HERE.

You’re invited to Holiday on Broughton Street, Savannah.

Join the Savannah Downtown Business Association for Holiday on Broughton noon until 7 PM this Saturday, December 15. Fun for the whole family with dance, choir, jazz, and theater performances
Performances by:
• Savannah Dance Festival
• Savannah Arts Academy Choir
• Savannah Arts Academy Jazz Band
• Holiday Movie at Trustee’s Theater
• And MORE Family Fun!

Sponsored in part by the City of Savannah

You’re invited to a Living Nativity Scene at Wilmington Island Presbyterian, 450 North Cromwell Road, Savannah 31410.

The nativity scene (including camels) will be on Tuesday, December 18th from 4-7pm. Everyone is welcome.

FOR MORE LOCAL HOLIDAY KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS, VISIT SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM ULTIMATE HOLIDAY GUIDE HERE. OR VISIT OUR ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

FOR OUR PICKS FOR BEST LOCAL HOLIDAY LIGHTS DISPLAYS & HOME DECORATIONS, CLICK HERE.

How The Grinch Stole the Polar Express – A Balloon Caper (Free balloon show)

This Saturday Dec. 15 at 2:00 p.m., you need to help Lynnae Weller, Owner of Bend Out A Shape Balloons, make sure the Grinch doesn’t steal Christmas for the entire world. Come have a fun, hilarious time at the Southwest Chatham Library (the one by Target at Savannah Mall). You might even get to see a snowball fight! Great for all ages.

If you want to have crazy amounts of fun at your next birthday party, please contact Lynnae with Bend Out A Shape Balloons at 912-228-3024 or e-mail bendoutashape@gmail.com, www.bendoutashape.com/

Like Bend Out A Shape Balloons on Facebook here.

Bend Out A Shape Balloons at 912-228-3024 or e-mail bendoutashape@gmail.com, www.bendoutashape.com/ Bend Out A Shape Balloons is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

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.

Displays not to be missed include:

1. The Whitemarsh Island home of the Kesslers. In the Battery point subdivision at 105 Mapmaker Lane: computerized “dancing” lights display animated with music. Lights choreographed to blink, twink and fade in red, blue, green and white, in sync with a custom-mixed soundtrack of holiday tunes.

2. 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.(UPDATE: on 12/1/12 this display was still in the prep stages & not ready yet. But this favorite is expected to be up again & glowing this season!)

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

PUBLIC HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAYS, SAVANNAH

December Nights & Holiday Lights @ Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, Savannah. Details here.

Savannah Harbor of Lights Festival @ Road Course on Hutchinson Is. Details here.

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 2012, Charleston S.C. Details here

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights @ Atlanta Botanical Garden. Through Jan. 5 2013. Details here.

We’ve got it all: caroling, public ice skating, holiday lights tours. Find out where to find Santa and where to watch holiday films for free.

Visit our Holidays 2012 Guide frequently this holiday season for updates about kid-friendly holiday events.

For your convenience, the link to the SouthernMamas.com Holidays 2012 Guide will posted on the SouthernMamas home page in the column to the right throughout the holiday season & via a rotating banner at the top of this page. Enjoy! Click here. Also check out online Events Calendar here for oodles of local kid-friendly activities.

You’re invited to these family-friendly holiday happenings @ SCAD Museum of Art and Trustees Theater.

SCAD Museum of Art
Saturday, Dec. 15
1-3 p.m.

Trustees Theater
Saturday, Dec. 15
3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The SCAD Museum of Art will offer free admission to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join Santa Claus and his elves for caroling, complimentary refreshments and plenty of festive cheer from 1-3 p.m.

Trustees Theater will show a free screening of “Arthur Christmas” in 3D at 3 p.m., followed by “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at 7 p.m. Doors open one hour before show time. Trustee’s Theater is @ 216 E. Broughton St., Savannah, 31401.

For more information about the events at the museum, call 912.525.7191 or click here.

For more information about the events at Trustees Theater, call 912.525.5050 or click here.

You’re invited to The Sounds of Winter Holiday Concert @ Savannah Arts Academy.

Don’t miss the spectacular sounds of the SAA Choruses and Orchestra. The Sounds of Winter Holiday Concert will take place this Wednesday and Thursday, December 12 and 13 beginning at 7 PM in the school theater.

Tickets may ONLY be purchased online at www.seatyourself.biz/saa  until 60 minutes before show time. General admision is $10. Students and Seniors is $6.

Savannah Arts Academy, 500 Washington Ave., Savannah, 31405

FOR MORE LOCAL HOLIDAY KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS, VISIT SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM ULTIMATE HOLIDAY GUIDE HERE. OR VISIT OUR ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

For 25 days in December, Barnett Educational Supplies in Savannah is promoting a particular item each day and offer a 10% discount on that particular product.

The products are announced the Monday before the sale. This will allow the parents and grandparents time to decide when to stop by the store the next day to get the product.

Check out this week’s 10% off items to the right.

Shop Local, Shop Barnett!

Please like Barnett on Facebook here to stay updated on their sales.

Don’t forget: Santa will be @ Barnett from 1-5 PM this Sunday Dec. 16 for Pictures with Santa. There will be a little goodie for each child and coffee for the parents.

Receive a free picture with Santa when you purchase $10 dollars of merchandise. Otherwise, cost is $5 for a photo.

Store hours: Mon – Fri: 9 AM-7 PM; Sat: 10 AM-5 PM; Sun: 1- 5 PM.

Barnett Educational Supplies, 38 W De Renne Ave., Savannah, 31405-6742, tel: 912-356-1878, email barneduc@bellsouth.net www.barnetteducationalsupplies.com , Barnett Educational Supplies is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Lovin’ Spoons is “Lovin’ Santa!”

Say “Lovin’ Santa!” all week for 10% off your yogurt.

Even better, come SEE Santa this weekend at the stores. See below for schedule. Bring your camera and kids!

Post on the Lovin Spoons Facebook page by Sunday night your pic of the kids and Santa for a chance to win a $10 gift card! And during Santa’s appearance in each store your yogurt is 2 for 1, cup of lesser value! Please do not combine offers.

Lovin’ Spoons self-serve froyo is making your holiday shopping easier with a great deal on gift cards!

Buy $25 in gift cards and receive a $5 gift card free–OR a T-shirt, $15 value! Give ‘em some Lovin’!

Lovin’ Spoons FroYo offers 12 ever changing flavors, over 40 fresh toppings, hot syrups served up with a groovy 70s vibe at stores in Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill and Bluffton.

Local store locations:

Savannah Savannah Centre by Toys R Us on Eisenhower Drive 912-355-2723

Pooler Pooler Marketplace by Publix 912-748-1444

Richmond Hill 60 Exchange St. 912-459-1490

Bluffton 95 Towne Drive, Bluffton, SC 29910 843.837.5683

Hours: Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 12pm-10pm

Lovin Spoons, 912.355.2723, email info@lovinspoons.com , www.lovinspoons.com, Lovin’ Spoons is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Tis the Season to shop local! Come for an evening of locally made fine art, gifts, handcrafted treats and much more!

You’re invited: The Holiday Hop from 6-9 PM Fri. Dec. 14. The Holiday Hop will feature these fine local shops:

Gallery Espresso (234 Bull Street) Will be hosting an artist reception for David Miley’s exhibit “Bold Strokes”

Red Clover (244 Bull Street) 20% off select items

Perry Rubber Bike Shop (240 Bull Street)

Fabrika ( 2 east Liberty Street) Fine fabrics and gifts, will be featuring items by Lovelane designs and Sweeteeth chocolates

Recreate (10 West Liberty) Savannah’s Creative Collective, featuring 10% off storewide on local art and gifts

Wild Fibre ( 6 East Liberty Street)Yarns, knitting, crocheting and fiber arts accoutrements

Stitch (6 East Liberty Street) Alteration and design studio

Ollie Otson ( 6 East Liberty Street ) Featuring fine vintage clothing and Little Lady Belles- handcrafted heirloom dolls

Grab a Holiday Hop Punch card, visit all participating shops and enter to win a gift bag!

For more info, click here.
Holiday Hop is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Lights on for Tybee
Make this an evening you and your family won’t soon forget! Head out to the best little best little beach town tonight for Lights on for Tybee. Festivities begin at 6:30 pm when Mayor Jason Buelterman lights the Christmas tree at the Roundabout, the choirs sing, and Gretchen Greene School of Dance students perform. The children will be delighted when two special guests from the North Pole fly in to make sure this celebration is merry and bright! Face painting will be available across from the stage on Tybrisa! There will be plenty of refreshments at participating locations along Tybrisa and Strand. Don’t forget to check out Tybee Island’s fantastic art galleries, shops and beach boutiques for some great deals on Holiday Shopping!