We celebrate Laguna’s small town vibe all year, but it’s particularly endearing during the holidays when the community comes together to celebrate. There are so many upcoming holiday events to mention that we’ll keep this month’s introduction short and sweet. Be sure to check out the Parents Club events we have planned, including a tree decorating craft and December Mom’s Night Out. We also give you a run-down of local tree lighting ceremonies you’ll want to add to your calendar.
Also, try to take your little ones with you to vote today. At the very least, they’ll think it’s cool to get a sticker and watch you push a button. And you could be encouraging a future mayor or president.
We couldn’t have had a better start to the holiday season than the Halloween walk through downtown. We had almost 300 parents, kids, and friends and family members come together to trick-or-treat at local businesses and enjoy food and drinks at Nirvana Grille. We want to thank everyone, including Mayor Jane Egly, for taking part and contributing to the Friendship Shelter. We also are so grateful to all the businesses that handed out treats to the little pumpkins and to Chef Lindsay Smith-Rosales, who let us take over Nirvana Grille. Those bartenders probably needed a drink of their own afterward. For more photos of the event, check out our Facebook page.
In preparation, the 2010 playgroup decorated trick-or-treat bags.
The 2011 playgroup met up on Halloween to celebrate on Oak Street.
The holiday fun continues this week on Tuesday and Thursday, when we’ll be making decorations for the Parents Club holiday tree that will be on display at the Sawdust Winter Fantasy Festival. This year, we’re going earth-friendly with the theme “The Future is Mine.” We are hosting two decorating days to accommodate nap schedules. You’ll be able to collect your ornaments after the festival has ended.
When: Tuesday, Nov. 6 from 10:30 to 12:30
Where: Alta Laguna Park
What we’ll make: Snowmen, bottle snowflakes, garland
What to bring: (If you have them) Old light bulbs (like the ones in your closet that you’ve been meaning to properly dispose of for years, but haven’t), clean plastic water or soda bottles with the labels removed
When: Thursday, Nov. 8 from 3:00 to 5:00
Where: Bluebird Park
What we’ll make: Twine balls, painted baby shoes
What to bring: One baby shoe per child, plastic bags
Then come enjoy the results of your hard work at the Sawdust tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 5:30. Click here for more details.
Also, this week, the book club will be meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 7 from 7:30 to 9:30 at the Deck at the Pacific Edge Hotel to discuss the November book selection “Cool, Calm and Contentious.” The club will then take a break during December. That means you have two months to read the January selection “The Barbarian Nurseries” — set in Southern California — by Hector Tobar.
For those of you wanting to simplify dinner, check out the Meal Prep Class at the Laguna Culinary Arts (845 Laguna Canyon Road) Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 7:00 to 9:00. You can make all of the meals in less than 2 hours while enjoying a glass of wine. The fall menu includes herb-crusted rack of lamb, cherry herb chicken and sausages with roasted fennel. You can make five four-serving meals for $150 or ten four-serving meals for $250. E-mail Chef Evan at evan@evanssupperclub.com to reserve a spot. You can find the entire Supper Club menu online at EvansSupperClub.com.
One of our final events of the year, our next Mom’s Night Out will be on Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Montage, where we’ll meet for a glass of Champagne. We’ll be sending details shortly, but plan on getting fancy and having fun.
Also be on the lookout for information about our annual Adopt a Family campaign. This is a great way to help our kids focus on giving to others, especially during the busy, gift-filled holidays. You can either provide gifts for an entire family or contribute money or gifts to a general fund that we’ll distribute. We had such an amazing response last year and would love to keep the spirit of giving going strong this year as well.
If you love a good holiday tree lighting ceremony (isn’t that all of us?), check out these upcoming community celebrations.
The Montage holiday tree lighting and open house happens on Monday, Nov. 26, starting at 4:30. In addition to the stunning tree lighting, there are a lot of events for the kids. To secure a spot, RSVP to MLBRSVP@montagehotels.com. This will be a packed event, so arrive early to get a parking spot before the merry madness begins. You can find more info (including a map of the activities) by clicking here.
The Crystal Cove Alliance tree lighting and holiday bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 1 is a smaller, but still beautiful, event. Plus, it’s one of the few spots where you can find a Christmas tree actually on the beach. This a great backdrop for a family Christmas card photo. You also can bring a picnic to enjoy at the benches on the beach before or after the lighting. Check here for additional details.
Finally, don’t miss Laguna Beach Hospitality Night on Friday, December 7 beginning at 5:00. Santa is scheduled to arrive at City Hall at 6:00, where he will light the pepper tree. Afterward, stroll around downtown while enjoying music and stopping in shops for some holiday shopping and a quick drink or snack. This is one of Laguna’s best events of the year. Hopefully it won’t still be so hot that Santa has to go beard-less while wearing a Hawaiian shirt and Havaianas.
Happy holidays! We hope to see you at an event soon.
One of our final events of the year, our next Mom’s Night Out will be on Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Montage, where we’ll meet for a glass of Champagne. We’ll be sending details shortly, but plan on getting fancy and having fun.
Also be on the lookout for information about our annual Adopt a Family campaign. This is a great way to help our kids focus on giving to others, especially during the busy, gift-filled holidays. You can either provide gifts for an entire family or contribute money or gifts to a general fund that we’ll distribute. We had such an amazing response last year and would love to keep the spirit of giving going strong this year as well.
If you love a good holiday tree lighting ceremony (isn’t that all of us?), check out these upcoming community celebrations.
The Montage holiday tree lighting and open house happens on Monday, Nov. 26, starting at 4:30. In addition to the stunning tree lighting, there are a lot of events for the kids. To secure a spot, RSVP to MLBRSVP@montagehotels.com. This will be a packed event, so arrive early to get a parking spot before the merry madness begins. You can find more info (including a map of the activities) by clicking here.
The Crystal Cove Alliance tree lighting and holiday bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 1 is a smaller, but still beautiful, event. Plus, it’s one of the few spots where you can find a Christmas tree actually on the beach. This a great backdrop for a family Christmas card photo. You also can bring a picnic to enjoy at the benches on the beach before or after the lighting. Check here for additional details.
Finally, don’t miss Laguna Beach Hospitality Night on Friday, December 7 beginning at 5:00. Santa is scheduled to arrive at City Hall at 6:00, where he will light the pepper tree. Afterward, stroll around downtown while enjoying music and stopping in shops for some holiday shopping and a quick drink or snack. This is one of Laguna’s best events of the year. Hopefully it won’t still be so hot that Santa has to go beard-less while wearing a Hawaiian shirt and Havaianas.
Happy holidays! We hope to see you at an event soon.
