With plenty of flicks out there reflecting the many celebrations of November and December, invite your crew to cuddle up with a bowl of chivda, a plate of latkes, or popcorn and hot chocolate – and indulge.

And if these look too familiar, discover new movies to add to your watch list at  “Holiday movies for all ages you might have overlooked.”

Time to get watching!

Diwali

“Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham…” (2001)

“Hum Aapke Haim Koun..!” (1994)

206 minutes, Rated TV-14; available to stream on Netflix.

The first Hindi film to gross over one billion Indian Rupees, “Hum Aapke Haim Koun..!” features a memorable on-screen Diwali celebration. The musical-romance-drama starring Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan celebrates the relationship between families and the complications of falling in love. As one of the highest-earning Bollywood films ever, “Hum Aapke Haim Koun..!” is the perfect way to spend the long holiday commemorating love, family and, of course, light.

“Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham…” (2001)

210 minutes, Rated PG, available on Netflix.

“Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham…” is emotional, melodramatic and utterly ravishing with a commendable mixture of comedy and serious drama. The Diwali scene in this film is one that is largely considered iconic among Bollywood lovers and is sure to bring a festive feeling to any Diwali celebration.

Thanksgiving

“Fantastic Mr. Fox” (2009)

“Fantastic Mr. Fox” (2009)

87 minutes, PG; available on Peacock, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and more.

The film’s hues of pumpkin, maroon and gold project all the fall vibes that make Thanksgiving such a vibrant holiday. “Fantastic Mr. Fox” focuses on a community coming together, an equitable division of resources and choosing the greater good over individual prosperity. Throw Wes Anderson into the mix, and this is the perfect Thanksgiving watch.

“Miracle on 34th Street” (1947)

96 minutes, Rated PG; available to stream on Disney+.

For many, Thanksgiving means the end of fall and the arrival of another holiday season: Christmas. The film opens with the long-held tradition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade where the real-life Kris Kringle, auspiciously moving around New York City, is hired to portray himself on the Santa float. The black-and-white film eventually becomes a courtroom drama that reminds viewers of the magic in believing. “Miracle on 34th Street” is a timeless holiday watch that allows celebrating families to initiate the excitement of the upcoming season.

“Addams Family Values” (1993)

94 minutes, PG-13; available to stream on Paramount+, Hulu, Pluto TV and more.

The quirkiest Thanksgiving pick of the bunch, “Addams Family Values” is for the snarky pre-teen or the family who likes a satire comedy with macabre sensibilities and a hard, but honest take on the Thanksgiving holiday. There is sexual innuendo and feigned violence, but it never takes it too far. The titular family love each other fiercely. Wednesday Addams stars as Pocahontas in her camp’s staged retelling of the first Thanksgiving. Dancing turkeys sing a song about being eaten, and Wednesday organizes a coup, reimagining that infamous meal to see the indigenous people refusing the Pilgrims, terrorizing their hokey meeting and burning their settlement to the ground. It’s a wonderful bit of satire that is sure to delight older, informed viewers.

“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (1973)

30 minutes, TV-G; available to stream on Apple TV+.

If you have a younger audience at home, you can’t go wrong with Charlie Brown. The comic adaptation makes a couple appearances on this list because Snoopy and crew have been blessing television sets and delighting children for major holidays since the 1960s. A classic for many families over the decades, the Thanksgiving special shows the power of friendship, inclusion and gratitude when an impromptu gathering turns into a discussion about the origins of Thanksgiving and a reminder about the power of community.

Native American Heritage

“The Cherokee Word for Water” (2013)

“The Cherokee Word for Water” (2013)

1 hour 38 minutes, PG; available on Kanopy and AppleTV.

Based on real-life events, “The Cherokee Word for Water” tells the riveting story of Wilma Mankiller, the first modern female Chief of the Cherokee Nation, who brought a 16-mile waterline system to an impoverished indigenous community in 1980s Oklahoma. In the process, Mankiller inspired many to embrace their long-held values and tight-knit community.

“Barking Water” (2013)

1 hour 25 minutes, Not Rated; available to stream on Amazon Prime and AppleTV.

Universally relatable with its messages of love and forgiveness, “Barking Water” tells the story of one couple’s journey to resolution. Frankie is dying; Irene won’t forgive him. The ensuing road trip is a way to get home by confronting their past. Filmed in Oklahoma and featuring indegenous actors, “Barking Water” is a heartfelt story that is sure to cause families to hold one another closer and value the time allowed in this life.

Winter Solstice

“Little Bear: Snowball Fight/Winter Solstice/Snowbound” (1996)

“Frozen” (2013)

1 hour 42 minutes PG, available on Disney+

“Frozen” is the ultimate Winter Solstice viewing. Yule is, after all, a Nordic tradition that celebrates the return of the sun. Arendelle is cursed to a perpetual winter until the spell is lifted. Based loosely on Hans Christian Andersen’s 1844 fairy tale, “Frozen” is a sure bet for thawing hearts of viewers during the longest day of night.

“Little Bear: Snowball Fight/Winter Solstice/Snowbound” (1996)

25 minutes, Rated TV-Y; available to stream on Paramount+.

With its gentle storytelling and non-menacing animation, “Little Bear” was a popular children’s series from the 90s. This particular episode is the perfect way to introduce the Winter Solstice to very young viewers who may find the few chaotic fight sequences from “Frozen” too intimidating. The episode gives a simple, child-friendly portrayal of Winter Solstice. Little Bear and family commit to several traditions: they hang lanterns in the trees, sing songs and await the arrival of the Snow Angels of Winter.

“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (2005)

2 hour 30 minutes, Rated PG; available to stream on Disney+.

While “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” does not explicitly discuss the Winter Solstice, there are plenty of arguments to be made that the Pevensie children find Narnia on this precise holiday. Described as “always winter but never Christmas”, the magical universe is stuck in perpetual winter, never able to break through to gradually longer days and the heralding of spring. The White Witch, comparable in appearance to Elsa though direct opposite in nature, may terrify some children, but could incite a thoughtful conversation about the lore of Winter Solstice which contends a witch goddess of the North kidnapped the sun and moon, causing the dark days of winter. This live-action adaptation is wonderfully magical and ideal for a cozy evening by the fire.

Hanukkah

“An American Tail” (1986)

“An American Tail” (1986)

1 hour 17 minutes, G, available on Amazon Prime or AppleTV.

The Mousekewitzes, a family of Russian-Jewish mice, are celebrating Hanukkah when anti-Semitic arsonists set their house ablaze. In search of a life free from persecution, the clan emigrates to America. Fievel is an adorable, innocent lead who can usher young viewers through an early introduction to Jewish traditions and the immigrant story.

“Full-Court Miracle” (2003)

90 minutes, TV-G, available on Disney+

Some may remember this early-aughts film as just another Disney Channel Original Movie. But what “Full-Court Miracle” does so well is to mix a modern, made-for-kids discussion of Hanukkah with an underdog sports saga. The script is smart, authentic, and sincere in its portrayal of coming-of-age kids searching for their own miracle.

“Fiddler on the Roof” (1971)

3 hour 21 minutes, G; available to stream on MGM+, Tubi, Pluto TV, and more.

The biggest deterrent for most young viewers will be the three-hour runtime. Spread it out over eight nights, and the musical epic set in pre-revolutionary Russia will mesmerize audiences at any age and of any religion. The film explains, with song, dance and immense charm, Jewish traditions and culture. The social and political issues it handles include gender roles, interfaith marriage, anti-Semitism and religious persecution and intolerance. A classic for over 50 years, “Fiddler” is your next Hanukkah watch with kids ready to experience its undeniable magic.

Christmas

“Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” (2020)

“The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992)

1 hour 25 minutes, G, available on Disney+.

A list of Christmas films would not be complete without at least one adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ classic, and “The Muppet Christmas Carol” is easily at the top of the list. The film will delight the entire family with its original music, comedic puppets and a heavy dose of good cheer. Merry Christmas, everyone!

“Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” (2020)

2 hour 2 minutes, PG, available on Netflix

Gleefully extravagant and colorfully offbeat, “Jingle Jangle” is a highly original new entry into the Christmas canon and one into which elementary school kids can thoroughly indulge. The original musical extravaganza tells the holiday tale of an eccentric toymaker, his spunky granddaughter and a Christmas adventure with an uplifting message about family and following one’s dreams.

“The Snowy Day” (2016)

38 minutes, TV-Y; available to stream on Prime Video.

Short, sweet and accessible to most attention spans, “The Snowy Day” is sure to delight very young viewers of any age. Based on the iconic 1962 picture book of the same name by Ezra Jack Keats, the short film features timeless animation, an impressive cast of voice talents including Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne and even an original song performed by Boyz II Men. A timeless tale of exploration, friendship and community connectivity, “The Snowy Day” is a wonderful watch for the preschooler in your home.

“Klaus” (2019)

1 hour 27 minutes, Rated PG; available to stream on Netflix.

There is nothing like a Christmas film with an alternative perspective. In “Klaus”, an enterprising post carrier initiates the tradition of children writing into a recluse woodsman and toymaker named Klaus in exchange for hand-made gifts. With winsome hand-drawn animation and a wholly original narrative, “Klaus” is sure to become a new Christmas-time favorite.

Kwanzaa

“The Black Candle” (2008)

“Soul” (2020)

1 hour 40 minutes, PG, available on Disney+.

Notably the first Pixar film to embrace African-American culture, “Soul” is a beautifully complex film that is sure to entertain viewers of all ages. Full of gorgeous imagery and breathtaking cmusic, “Soul” is a wonderful film about human connectivity that will charm the whole family.

“The Black Candle” (2008)

1 hour 11 minutes, Not Rated, available on Peacock, and Tubi.

Narrated by legendary writer, poet and activist Maya Angelou, the documentary explores the holiday’s development out of the Black Power Movement of the 1960s through its modern-day celebration as a pan-African holiday observed by over 40 million people worldwide.

New Year’s

“Pete the Cat: A Groovy New Year” (2017)

“Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne” (2021)

38 minutes, TV-G, available on Apple TV+.

Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the whole Peanuts gang are back for this characteristically thoughtful and funny animated special. Like it’s “Great Pumpkin” predecessor, “For Auld Lang Syne” is destined to become a NYE favorite, one that the whole family can use as a celebratory countdown (without sacrificing an early bedtime).

“Pete the Cat: A Groovy New Year” (2017)

24 minutes, TV-Y; available to stream on Prime Video.

Young fans of the psychedelic, scat-singing feline will enjoy the debut episode of the television show adaptation. Pete struggles to come up a New Year’s Resolution. As he passes out invitations to a NYE party, Pete learns the colorful resolutions his friends around the neighborhood have made. Filled with original songs and an eclectic mix of animal characters, “A Groovy New Year” encourages individuality and goal-setting.

“Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year” (2002)

1 hour 5 minutes, G; available to stream on Disney+.

“A Very Merry Pooh Year” combines “Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too” (1991) and “Happy Pooh Year” (2002), creating a hybrid film that oversees both holidays. Another entry with familiar and classic characters, “A Very Merry Pooh Year” encourages giving, thoughtfulness and silliness. Whimsy abounds with Pooh bear and friends, especially when their New Year’s resolutions cause them to trade personalities. Pooh becomes downcast. Tigger becomes panicky. Eeyore suddenly loves honey. The film is as gentle and goofy as we’ve come to expect from the lovable Pooh bear. 

The post The Classic Family Holiday Movie List appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Coming as it does right around — or smack dab in the middle of — the holiday season, it’s also a welcome reminder for my family to slow down, jump out of the consumer stream, and be more present to the elements around us. Solstice is an invitation to connect with nature, recognize all the gifts it provides, and celebrate nature’s generosity in our lives.  

Tools for Children

These concepts are enormous, even for those of us who pass as adults, but how about for kids? As a parent, it’s essential for me to give my children the tools they need to live as whole beings and to recognize that they are part of and responsible for the natural world. What I’ve found through the years is that kids are quick learners, eager to help the Earth, and excited to celebrate the returning light (which will eventually bring back long days outside).

Solstice is an opportunity to shift the emphasis from shopping and gifts of “things” to being conscious of and grateful for the precious gift of living on this planet. 

How to Begin a Solstice Tradition

So, how do you integrate the abundant gifts of Winter Solstice into your winter holiday season? Here are some ideas from my family:

• Start before the longest night of the year with conversations about night and day, light and dark, rest and growth. Go out in the daylight and see the small things — frost on the grass, birds eating berries, leaves turning colors, warm sunlight on your face. Go out at night, smell the air, look at the moon and stars, and hear the quiet.  
• Go to the library or bookstore and pick up books that tell stories about solstice and winter. Look for books that show how different cultures recognize this time of year. Try “The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice” by Wendy Pfeffer. One of my kids’ favorites is “Owl Moon” by Jane Yolen.
• Talk with your children about people without houses and what this time of year means for them. If you have the means, consider giving winter clothing, new socks, blankets, and money to local shelters. 
• Go outside and gather items from nature to decorate your home. Make a centerpiece for the table from leaves and dried flowers, berries, curvy sticks, boughs, and grasses. Remember the rocks! 
• Give the gift of connection by hosting a Winter Solstice celebration. The theme is the sun’s return, so think golden colors, warming elements, and fire. Invite family and friends to your home for a potluck on the night of the solstice and ask them to bring foods that are golden in color. My favorites are golden beet salad and a spicy peanut and pumpkin soup. Don’t be afraid of the name; you can make it as mild as you like.
• Include your children in the party by making cookies in the shape of the sun with yellow icing. While you are baking, ask them why they think the sun is so crucial to all living things and why we celebrate its return. What was the world like before there was electricity and lights in every house?
• And, of course, if you can have a solstice fire, do it! Fires on the night of Winter Solstice symbolize light arriving in the form of longer daylight hours to follow. I have a fire pit, and we celebrate by gathering around a big roaring blaze on the solstice. You can get the fire experience no matter where you are with candles, a fireplace, or a gas fire pit in the backyard. I’ve borrowed an Iranian custom for our solstice fire: everyone brings a poem to read aloud. Help younger children find a poem they like and then read it aloud for them. I always read a poem called “Remember” by Joy Harjo. Other families I know light a fire, and then each person writes three intentions they hope to manifest as the days lengthen. 

While many solstice traditions happen at home, some families and caregivers also find meaning in gathering with the wider community. Here in Seattle, the longest night of the year is increasingly marked with public, contemplative celebrations that center wellness, art, and shared ritual — offering a reminder that slowing down doesn’t have to be solitary. If you’re looking for a gentle, communal way to mark the solstice, there are local events that invite people of all ages to reflect, move, and welcome the returning light together.

• Dec. 19-21 | 5-6 p.m. | Winter Solstice Walks @ Bloedel Reserve
• Dec. 20 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m.| Solstice in the Garden @ Kruckenberg Botanic Garden
• Dec. 20 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Solstice with Sasquatch @ Museum of Flight
• Dec. 21 | 4-7 p.m. | Winter Solstice Walk @ Snohomish River Trail
• Dec. 21 | Longest Night: Solstice Ceremony @ King Street Station

A Respite from the Chaos

In a season that can be stressful, expensive, and perhaps leave some people feeling disconnected, think about taking the time to create a quiet celebration of the natural world and our place in it. Celebrating the winter solstice is a gift to your children that will last a lifetime.  

The post How to celebrate Winter Solstice with kids appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Historically, Chanukah — which takes place from December 14 to 22 this year — commemorates a Jewish victory over those who had desecrated their Temple in Jerusalem. Some see it as a holiday that celebrates freedom from oppression and the ability to practice religion openly. The most widely known tale from the Chanukah story is that of an oil lamp. With only enough fuel for one day, it stayed burning for eight, a miracle that inspired oil-rich treats like crisp potato latkes, sufganiyot (a jelly-filled donut), and in America at least, cause for eight nights of gifts. 

“We both want to honor the dominant culture that this is a festive time of year with parties, and we don’t have to do Christmas to fit in,” said Speizer. “We can participate in it, but we can mark some of our own things, which are all at the same time of year.”

In her own home, yes, they do gifts, yes, they eat chocolate gelt –but mostly the holiday is about light.

“During the shortest and darkest days of the year, Jewish tradition invites us to spend time in our homes where we light Chanukah candles and place them in our windows for the world to see,” Speizer said.

Light holds significance beyond the candles glowing in the Chanukah menorah. For Speizer, her husband, and two children, Chanukah is an opportunity to “bring more light into our world” through giving and acts of service. These, she says, are related to the Jewish value of tzedakah, which she describes as “acts of justice.” 

“Any time we enter into Jewish sacred time we’re invited to give to those in need before we take care of our own celebrations,” she says. “Donating in someone’s honor is a long-held Jewish custom.”

While Chanukah provides an opportunity to donate to a cause her family cares about, Speizer points out that giving can take many forms. 

“We can’t, as a family, always write the biggest checks,” says Speizer. So in addition to donating money, they uphold the value of tzedakah through service and donating items that others might appreciate.

For her kids, this might mean volunteering at the University District Food Bank. For Speizer, it might mean helping to build tiny homes with Sound Foundations NW. Part of the beauty of tzedakah is that it is rooted in solidarity with a larger community. “We’re all responsible for one another,” says Speizer, “and when someone is lacking, we’re all lacking.”

Of course, her family still celebrates with presents, often from relatives – this is America, after all, where giving gifts during the winter holidays is prevalent. But the presents are as varied as those receiving them. 

Speizer herself appreciates gifts of time and service. “A handmade coupon book from my kids, offering breakfast in bed and neck massages tops my list of favorite gifts for any occasion.”

Her daughter looks forward to the prospect of bigger, more significant gifts during Chanukah. Her son is more nonchalant, and once suggested stretching a box of juggling balls over multiple nights for his Chanukah gifts. “Like, give me the box of the juggling balls the first night and a juggling ball the second night, so I have something to open each night,” Speizer recalled, laughing.

The Jewish values that they live by during Chanukah are the same values that anchor their family year-round: respect, giving back, and being responsible. 

“They undergird all that I do,” Speizer says. “That’s what I hope my kids are finding strength and support in when they show up as students or ultimate frisbee players, or as actors, jugglers – that they know Judaism as the foundation on which they can stand, proud and strong.”

Find places to celebrate Chanukah in the community HERE.

The post On Giving: Gifts of light and service during Hanukkah appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Below, you’ll find a wide range of holiday volunteer opportunities for families, from toy drives and giving trees to food bank shifts, cookie donations, and simple acts of kindness that even the youngest helpers can do. Many of these activities are kid-friendly, one-time commitments, and perfect for building a new family tradition of giving.

Toy Drives & Giving Trees

Many Seattle-area families are in need of many things. Toys and gifts for kids are one area that can really tug at the heartstrings, but lots of good people are working hard to make sure that kids will get gifts during the holiday season. You can help by donating toys and cash. In most cases, this is not a time when you go through your closet and get rid of hand-me-downs (here are ideas for that). Instead, it’s an opportunity to think about a child or perhaps a few kids and purchase a specific present with them in mind. Check out where to turn to help in our article, “How to donate to holiday toy drives around Seattle.”

Below is a list of businesses and organizations hosting holiday giving trees, where you pick up a tag with a child or family’s gift request, purchase the gift and return it wrapped with the giving tag attached. Some programs, like those run by the Pike Place Market Foundation and Wellspring Family Services, provide Amazon Wish Lists or a Spark Good Registry where you can purchase gifts online and have them shipped directly to the organization.

• Make a Wish Washington and Alaska
• Pike Place Market Foundation
• Friends of Youth (Kirkland)
• Hickman House Giving Tree: Pick up star tag at Capers (West Seattle)
• Pacific Crest Scout Shop Giving Tree
• Vision House (Renton)
• Wellspring (Seattle)
• Salvation Army Teen Angle Tree
• Lake City Holiday Project
• Native Action. Network
• Herbs House Ballard
• Everett Aquasox

Host a Toy Drive as a Family

Donating toys can be a fun holiday activity for the whole family. Send out an email blast to friends and family and invite folks to drop toys off at your house or offer to pick them up at theirs. Organizations like Seattle Children’s Hospital, Toys for Tots, and other organizations will gladly accept the fruits of your family’s toy-collection labor and get them to kids.

Adopt-a-Family & Gift Card Giving

Adopt One Child or a Whole Family for the Holidays

“Adopting” a child or a whole family in need during the holidays by purchasing gifts and providing other forms of support is one effective way to teach your kids about looking out for others in the community. When everyone in the family participates in choosing gift cards or specific gifts, kids learn lessons about showing empathy and generosity beyond their family and friends. Learn about local programs and organizations around Seattle that will set you up with a family or child to “adopt” in our article. “Adopt-a-Family: How to give gifts and support families at the holidays.“

Volunteer to Collect Gift Cards for Families in Need 

Proceeds go to help support senior services. Your family can help a foster family or a family experiencing homelessness or other crises by collecting and donating gift cards. The cards you collect allow families to choose their own gifts for their children and purchase other essential items. Reach out to organizations such as YWCA, Lake City Holiday Project, Federal Way Cares for Kids,  Bellevue LifeSpring, Wellspring Family Services, Hopelink, Compass Housing Alliance, Treehouse, The Forgotten Children’s Fund, Mary’s Place, and Make a Wish Washington and Alaska to learn more about gift cards needed and how to deliver them. 

Volunteer Gift Wrapping

Sometimes the best part of a gift is the wrapping. Sign your family up as volunteer wrappers during Compass Housing Alliance’s 2025 holiday giving campaign. Your family may also want to lend its support to The Forgotten Children’s Fund — they need volunteers to raise funds to purchase, wrap and deliver gifts to kids and their families who might otherwise go without. 

Food Bank and Meal Support

Every year, the Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle and King County (EFP) provides more than 420,000 meals throughout King County. Located in Renton, the EFP is always looking for volunteers of all ages to help pack food bags, provide help at distribution sites, and host food drives. Additionally, food or money donations are greatly appreciated.  St. Francis House is also eager for volunteers to help meet the basic and immediate needs of its 13,000 clients struggling to make ends meet. Your family can volunteer to make sandwiches for St. Francis clients. 

Provide or Sponsor a Holiday Meal

Nothing says Happy Holidays like sharing a meal! Partner with Compass Housing Alliance by helping sponsor a holiday party or by providing a meal at one of its 20 programs. Contact Sam at: volunteer@compasshousingalliance.org.

Cookie Baking & Treat Donation

Holiday Cookie Drop-Offs & Sorting

The Ballard Northwest Senior Center is always looking for tasty home-made treats to sell at it’s annual Bazaar & Bake Sale, with proceeds going to support senior services.

And while you’re on that baking roll, why not stick some sheets in the oven for Compass Housing Alliance’s holiday cookie extravaganza. Cookies can be homemade or store-bought and should be bundled in sets of 24. All homemade goodies must have a recipe card with a full list of ingredients. If your recipe contains nuts of any kind, please make a clear note. They can’t take baked goods that need refrigeration. Deliver cookies to the Compass location on Dexter (756 John Street, Seattle) between Dec 15 – Dec 17. Call 206-719-9137 to be let into the building. Early drop-offs are always welcome, so please contact Sam at 206-719-9137 or email  to coordinate.

And each year The Christmas People Foundation has put out a call for more than 7,000 home-baked cookies as the organization brings a small experience of “home” to unhoused Seattleites during the winter holidays. Dates for the 2025 cookie drop-off have not been announced, but The Christmas People is looking for volunteers to receive and sort the goodies Dec. 23-25 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Kids are welcome to help with the sorting. To learn about cookie drop off or volunteer, emil  Pialley@jps.net.

Bake for Teens

Want to help teens in need have a better holiday season? Volunteer to CupcakeUP & MuffinUP for Teen Feed. Bake off-site with your family and drop off goodies to Teen Feed’s dinner location. Traumatized young digestive systems sometimes require gluten-free, high-protein, vegan or diabetic-friendly foods. This event partners with the ROOTS young adult shelter for breakfast support. 

Support for Foster Youth

Treehouse, a Seattle-based nonproft supporting kids in the state foster care system, has many needs. They are looking for families interested in hosting a donation drive and collecting winter clothing, toys, books, and other items needed by kids in care. Visit the Treehouse to get started. Your family may also purchase items from Treehouse’s Dream List. This list is kept up to date with the items most requested by youth and their caregivers.

Host a Family Food Drive

A food drive is something in which your whole family can be involved. Many organizations even provide resources such as printable flyers and food-collection containers to help your drive succeed. Here are just a few of the organizations that you can partner with for a family food drive: Food Lifeline distributes donations to 275 member agencies across Western Washington; Northwest Harvest uses donations to provide more than 2 million meals to Washingtonians every month; Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle and King County works with 200 partner agencies across King County to provide food bags to anyone in need; Hopelink provides food bank, food delivery, and emergency feeding services to families in crisis in Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Shoreline and Sno-Valley.

Volunteer with Babies / Kids Giving Back

Even Your Baby Can Give Back!

Were you inundated with gifts at your baby shower? Do you have extra unopened boxes of diapers that your baby outgrew? Westside Baby is happy to accept your baby’s donations of new (unopened) baby hygiene products, as well as gently used clothing, equipment (no furniture) and other essentials. Or, make a donation or shop the gift list at Babies of Homelessness.

Give Back to Santa

Vancouver mother of two Lindsay Backous Rayomond says her children have been giving back to the jolly old gent since day one. “They put toys and books they no longer use out for Santa on Christmas Eve, and then Santa takes them away for other children who would love them.” Santa has partnered with numerous organizations to receive your gifts, since he is quite busy. Among them are KidVantage on the Eastside, Goodwill Seattle, Salvation Army Thrift Store & Donation Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital Bargain Boutiques, and Wellspring’s Family Essentials Store.

Decorating, Flowers, and Neighbor Help

Help Hang Holiday Decorations

Do you have an elderly person or an assisted living home in your neighborhood? Ask if your family can help others deck their halls this year by hanging lights or volunteering for other decoration duties. 

Drop Off Holiday Flowers or Poinsettias

Many local nursing homes and senior centers try to keep the spirit light and holidays bright for the elderly. Consider bringing holiday flowers or poinsettias to a cancer or an eldercare facility near you and dropping them at the front desk. Include a note inviting the staff to give them to a resident who may need extra cheer during the holidays. Or leave a bouquet or plant anonymously on a senior neighbor’s stoop.

Offer Some Soap for Hope

Collect unused soaps or other toiletries from neighbors and friends and deliver them to the annual AAA Washington Soap for Hope drive. The drive takes place November through December, but donations are accepted year round. Items are distributed to local charities throughout Washington.

Smile: The Simplest Way to Give

It’s hard to see someone in pain or need. But looking away can make those who are struggling feel invisible. Teach your children to offer a simple smile when they encounter homeless people or others struggling in our midst. Or invite them to draw a smile as a way to cheer up people who are far from home or without extended family, for example, military personnel or forgotten seniors. Go to Color a Smile to learn how you and your children can make cheerful drawings that the non-profit will then distribute to folks who need a boost.

How to Find More Opportunities

Need help finding a good volunteer opportunity for your family? 

United Way of King County and Volunteer Match offer searchable databases to help you find a great giving fit for your clan. 

Make sure to check ‘Doing Good Together’ family volunteer opportunities

Each month, Seattle’s Child partners with the national nonprofit Doing Good Together, to give readers a list of family-friendly volunteer options (with age specifics). Just go put the words DO SOME GOOD TOGETHER in the search box at Seattleschild.com

Check out the Doing Good’s “12 Tips for Family Volunteering During the Holidays.”

The post Where Seattle families can volunteer during the holidays appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Nowhere in the definition of gift — n. a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present — do you see the words “must be new.” That’s why, for the past 15 years, the prefix “re” has factored more and more into my family’s winter holidays. Recycle. Reuse. Repurpose. Regift. Renew. Rethink.

In the face of a climate change crisis and the hyper-commercialization of the Christmas holiday in particular, we’ve tried to rewrite how we show our love during the broader season of giving. While we haven’t 100% stopped purchasing gifts (and the inevitable packaging they come with), I’d say we’re at about 75%. Part of our holiday fun is challenging each other to low- or zero-carbon footprint gifting. 

The hunt

That means in the months leading up to December, you’ll find me, my kids, and other relatives and friends making gifts out of recycled materials, searching out gently-used gifts from second-hand sources, creating art or pieces of writing for each other, or purchasing locally-made gifts and food from locally-owned businesses, artists, and artisans. 

We have one rule whether we are “re-ing” or sustainably purchasing: We commit to spending real time thinking about each person on our list as we make or hunt. In the years when my kids were largely annoyed with each other, I am convinced this rule served them and their relationship well.

Japanese rice bag purse made from recyled fabric.

So many gifts we’ve loved

Our rethinking has manifested in some great gifts, ample laughter, and much surprise over these years. Nobody wore the scarves I hacked (literally) out of old socks, but we did laugh until we cried. Here are examples of how we gift:

Repurposed: A neighbor was tossing out old fabric pieces. I took them and, in about an hour, turned them into simple Japanese rice bag purses (Komebukuro) for my daughter. Throughout the year, I scroll through the Buy Nothing Project in my neighborhood in search of free fabric or other items to upcycle into something fun and “new.” 

Recycled: For us, a perfect gently-used piece of clothing is just as welcome as a brand-new item. The fabric industry is one of the biggest industrial polluters. My son wanted a leather jacket in 11th grade. I found the perfect fit in a local second-hand store for $20 (as compared to $350 new). Seven years later, he’s still wearing it. 

Renewed: A friend found an old house window frame ($7) at Ballard Reuse and printed out four photographs to place in the frame. It’s a remarkable piece of art that makes a windowless room feel downright airy. I’m stealing this easy idea to make a piece for my mom this year.

Resewn: My son is a T-shirt junkie. Two years ago, a family member took some of his favorite old-but-too-small tees and had them quilted into one of the coolest heavy metal music-themed blankets around. It simply “Slayered’ him. The dogs love it too.

Re-read: Rather than buying new books, we wrap up and pass on books we have loved in the last year. The trick is matching the right family member to a beloved book. I start stacking my read books in January and by December the selection is wide. Even more sustainable: All the books I read come from the Free Little Libraries around. my neighborhood, so they are all at least twice given. In gift note, I request that my kids pass them on or stick them in Free Little Libraries when they are done reading. Wonder where the Free Little Libraries are in your neighborhood? Check out the Free Little Library World Map.

Regifted: We all receive gifts from people outside the family. If it’s not the right gift for the person who received it, it’s fair game for gifting. Schwag from events we’ve attended counts (see “Consumable”)! This year both my kids will be getting a Bruce Springteen concert tee handed to me in a fundraiser schwag bag.

Locally-made: Last year, my daughter visited local markets, local artisans, and a locally-made store to collect largely unpackaged handmade soaps as gifts, which she wrapped in plain brown recycled paper bags with string. Perfect. Looking for wonderful gifts with a local twist? Don’t miss out 2024 A-Z Holiday Gift Guide.

Consumable: Locally made oils, wines, and pastas make for great family dinner dates throughout the year. I walked away from The Northwest Chocolate Festival last October with a bag of freebie high-end chocolate bars that stuffed all last year’s stockings. When possible, we give food in reusable containers.

Re-wrapping: In our family, we save gift wrap. We save ribbons. We keep brown paper bags we can draw on with crayons and turn into wrapping paper. Paper is a precious commodity. Our wrapping jobs are silly, creative, and festive, and we get the job done without purchasing paper. Mostly.

Connection and service: The greatest gift we can give each other is the gift of time. Under our tree, there are usually cards that promise we’ll spend specific time together – spa passes for my daughter and me, tickets to a movie with my son, promises of help with the garden work or cleaning a car. We put redemption dates on these gifts. They aren’t just ideas; they’re promises. If you’d like a simple template for creating and printing “service” or “good for” holiday coupons, check out the one at imom.com.

What we spend

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spend an average of $997.73 each at Christmas — $4,000 for a family of four. My average cost of gifting during the holiday season is about $300. For everyone. It takes time. It takes some creativity. It takes a lot of looking at charity stores, consignment shops, and online give-away lists like Buy Nothing and Freecycle. 

But it also means I spend a lot of quality time thinking about each person in my family as I choose, make, create. 

“Give back to Santa”

The other side of re-use is donation. Invite your kids to “give a gift Santa” in the form of gently used clothes and toys. At the beginning of the fall holiday season, ask your kids to choose a few items they no longer use. Pack it all into a box, wrap it up and put it under the tree. This is your child’s gift to Santa — or the community. Bring them with you when you drop off the wrapped and decorated box at the donation site so that they receive the thank you from the organization that receives their gift.

An approach that flexes

So, do we give and receive gifts that don’t follow the “re” rule? 

Sure we do. 

But when big-ticket wants come along — a drum set, a computer — everyone in the family is in on the purchase. It helps keep costs low for each of us. But, more important, it shows the person receiving a costly gift that they are held and loved by the whole family. 

More at Seattle’s Child:

On holiday giving

On giving: Gifts of light and service during Chanukah

Settle in for holiday movie nights!

Celebrating Diwali: Three gifts to strengthen bonds

The post The re- re- re- approach to holiday gifting appeared first on Seattle's Child.

In India, memories of the five-day festival include buying food, decorations, and worship items at bustling markets that are open both day and night.

The First Gift

Each day of the five-day festival brings a new kind of giving — for faith, for joy, and for family. One item on many shoppers’ lists was a gold or silver coin – if you had the means. This would be placed on the home altar the following day, an offering for the Goddess Lakshmi. This is the first gift, intended for worship.

So revered is the goddess that Mehrotra remembers being put to work as a child the day before, cleaning his family home until not a speck of dust remained. 

“Diwali is supposed to be the day when the goddess of wealth and fortune visits your house,” he chuckled. “So you don’t want to take any risks with her!”

The Second Gift

The third day, families decorate with lights and marigold flowers, arranging oil-filled clay lamps called diya all around their houses, to be lit once darkness falls. In the evening, they gather to worship both Lakshmi and the elephant-headed Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, with prayers, songs, and the offering of precious metal.

“Then you start moving from one house to the other, exchanging gifts,” said Mehrotra.

Dried fruits and melt-in-your-mouth Indian sweets, fancy chocolates, or gift hampers would be given to neighbors, friends, and relatives, meant to be shared by entire households. These are the second gifts, given “out of happiness,” said Kapoor. 

Want to bring some Diwali sparkle to your own home? Try these festive paper crafts to celebrate Diwali — they’re easy for kids and a beautiful way to honor the Festival of Lights.

The Third Gift

The fifth day of the festival is when Mehrotra and Kapoor would traditionally celebrate bhai dooj, the third form of gifting, and one that takes place between siblings. 

“Sisters put tilak [a colorful decorative mark] on their brother’s forehead,” said Mehrotra. “In exchange, brothers promise to the sisters that they will always protect them.”

He and Kapoor now live in Sammamish with their son Ashank and daughter Taavishi. They practice bhai dooj with a modern twist.

After all, said Mehrotra, “some sisters don’t like to be told that they need to be protected. Sometimes it’s the other way around, and it’s the sisters protecting the brothers!” 

Strengthening the Sibling Bond

Instead of focusing on protection, the children look forward to bhai dooj “because it’s one way to bond,” Mehrotra said, explaining that it’s a playful occasion filled with banter.

These days, neither of them has to brave a crowded market to find each other gifts. Instead, like most modern consumers, their mother reports that “they order online for each other.” 

Kapoor and Mehrotra have also modernized Diwali in one other way. “We mostly do Christmas lights,” Mehrota laughs. But in many respects, they try to keep it traditional. 

“We like to continue whatever we have been doing in the past back in India and in our childhood days,” said Kapoor. “It just keeps us connected to our roots,” agreed Mehrotra. “What I have realized is that we celebrate our festivals better here, compared to what we were doing back in India.”

Sharing Family Values

They are part of a large Indian community in greater Seattle, so Diwali is jam-packed with potlucks, parties, and performances.

“Because there are so many families, typically that entire month is Diwali for us!” 

In addition to all the fun, Kapoor and Mehrotra also hope their children learn the values that the holiday represents.

Both grew up in Uttar Pradesh, a northern Indian province where Diwali commemorates a legend from the Ramayana, when Lord Rama returns victorious to his hometown after 14 years in exile, having vanquished a demon king and rescued his kidnapped wife. Upon learning of his return, his people lit lamps to guide him home.

For Mehrotra, this story is at the heart of the celebration. “This festival keeps reminding us that you just do your best and then eventually good overcomes evil.”

Looking for ways to join the celebration? Check our Seattle’s Child family calendar for Diwali festivals, performances, and community events happening around the region.

The post 3 Gifts of Diwali: A local family’s Festival of Lights celebration appeared first on Seattle's Child.

But her brother had adopted a new practice. Piles and piles of presents were stacked under the tree, but his five kids weren’t allowed to touch them until Christmas morning. “At 7 a.m., all five children descended,” she says.

“It was like a feeding frenzy. It was over in 10 minutes, and then it was like, ‘Well, what do we do with the rest of the day?’”

Once she had her own children — Martin, Isabel, and Ben – she thought back to her own childhood, and decided to reclaim the tradition of taking things slowly. On Christmas morning, they do a leisurely gift exchange, where each person receives exactly one gift. 

“We tell all the adults who are coming, ‘One,’ Durham laughs. ‘ONE gift!’” During the exchange, family members take turns.

It goes like this: “Okay, it’s Bela’s turn – we call grandmother Abuela “Bela,” says Durham. “We all go ‘Who did Bela get a gift from? Oh, Martin got the gift for Bela!’”

The whole family watches Bela open the gift, and then Martin explains why he got that gift for his grandmother.

“It’s funny,” Durham says, “There’s only about a dozen gifts that get given and it takes a couple hours to open them all.”

For Durham, “It’s much more about connection than it is about consumerism. The gifts are the excuse for what we’re doing. The main focus is more on the social time and the connection than it is on what’s in the package.”

Durham teaches parent education at Bellevue College. “One of my core things as a parent educator is: there’s no one right way to parent. So I never tell anyone else that this is the way to do gift-giving, right? Because it’s what works for my family. What I want everyone to do is be intentional about what their goals are.

“At holiday time, it’s easy to get swept up in other people’s traditions. ‘This is what I did when I grew up,’ or ‘This is what somebody on Pinterest does,’ or ‘This is what my friends on Facebook do.’” Trying to keep up can get exhausting during the holidays.

Instead, Durham tells parents: “Think about what gives it meaning to you and do those things. If making a meal gives meaning to you, hooray. If it doesn’t, you can get a holiday meal from Whole Foods.”

For years, Durham idealized her childhood memories of going to the Christmas tree stand and picking out the perfect tree to decorate at home. Ornaments were a beloved tradition, because before her passing, Durham’s mother chose an ornament to give each grandchild every year. 

But after a few years she came to the realization that getting a tree from the tree stand and bringing it home was, she says, “a pain in the butt.”

“What I like is putting the ornaments on, because every ornament has a story and a memory. So I told my family, just get me a tree that you pull out of the box. You fold down the branches. You plug it in. That’s done. And then we get to do the fun part!”

More at Seattle’s Child:

On holiday giving

Sustainable feasting

The post On giving: Rethinking the pile of presents appeared first on Seattle's Child.

By prioritizing schools with higher proportions of students of color, English Language Learners (ELL), homeless students, and special education students when we distribute the funds we raise, we are actively reducing inequities and paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for all students. 

Why pool efforts and resources? 

We have realized that traditional PTA and PTSA school fundraising models only deepen existing disparities, leaving behind schools and students who need the most support. Pooling resources requires us to have empathy and understanding of others’ needs — and to think beyond ourselves. 

It also motivates us to work together. By cooperating to create a more equitable educational landscape, we strengthen the youth of our Southeast Seattle community. 

Creating equitable distribution 

The crux of the SESSFA model lies in our equitable distribution of funds. By allocating a larger cut to schools with higher percentages of students of color, ELL, homeless, and special education students, we tackle head-on the systemic inequities that have persisted in our education system for far too long. 

Our goal is not to take away from other schools but to ensure that those who have historically received less support or no previous fundraising are enriched. Each PTSA is empowered to implement programs and support services that cater to the specific needs of its students. 

My decision to get involved 

As a parent of three Southeast Seattle public school kids, I am motivated by the disparities in opportunities and resources students face based on their zip codes. Traditional school funding models are broken, and the circumstances of that brokenness should not limit a child’s potential. Collective community action can correct local, state, and national systemic failures. 

It’s not just about writing a check; it’s about fostering a community of caring parents, educators, and advocates who share the vision of a truly equitable world. By supporting our children within the public education system and collaborating, we become a potent force that goes beyond our own school boundaries, enriching the lives of all children. 

A stand for all children

Involvement matters. But not just at our own children’s schools. Often, we get caught up in our daily routines, unaware of the vast disparities between schools just blocks away. It is crucial to inquire about the reasons behind differences in support, like reading specialists, after-school activities, art teachers, parental involvement, etc. Our advocacy for equitable education sends a powerful message to our children. We stand for justice, compassion, and fairness for our children and all children. 

It is okay to be uncomfortable 

Experiencing discomfort through this movement has been enlightening. It compels me to question the status quo and listen actively. I am uncomfortable with the unequal opportunities for all kids. I am uncomfortable with enrichment disparities among schools due to varying abilities to fundraise. And I am uncomfortable with inadequate state and national funding of our schools. 

When we are uncomfortable, we can ask why and dig deeper. By listening and coming together, we can challenge what has been. 

Why should you get involved? 

The transformation we seek is not a solitary endeavor. It demands the collective effort of parents, educators, and community members. Whenever possible, let’s lend our time, skills, and resources to create a more equitable and inclusive educational system that aligns with our cherished values. 

When we unite behind a common goal, impact is amplified, and positive change ripples throughout the entire community. 

The SESSFA model of rethinking PTSA school fundraising is a call to action for a more just and inclusive future. Through collective pooling of efforts and funds and equitable allocation based on specific demographics, we can actively break down barriers to success and create opportunities for historically underserved students. 

As a parent, I find no greater mission to embrace.

 Meghan Bedell is a parent of three kids and a site leader for the Southeast Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance.

More at Seattle’s Child:

How do you spell student success? PUBLIC LIBRARIES

SAT season: Local test expert offers 4 tips for success

Virtual-reality learning: A growing trend

The post Building a brighter future appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Seattle’s Child and these partners offer you a chance to spread the joy. Enter for a chance to win an array of prizes to celebrate the season or give as a gift.

See below for rules and eligibility.

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Rules & Eligibility

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Eligibility:
This giveaway is open only to legal residents who are physically located in one (1) of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia, legal residents of the contiguous United States age 18 and over. Employees of Sponsors (defined below) and their subsidiaries, promotion and advertising agencies, immediate family members of any such individuals (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they live), or persons living in the same households of such individuals, whether or not related, are not eligible to enter or win a prize. Only one (1) prize per household.

Sponsors:
Seattle’s Child is the sole sponsor of this giveaway. (“Sponsors”).Schedule:
The giveaways begin November 1, 2023 and end on date listed above the entry forms above. (“Entry Period”).How to Enter:
No purchase necessary. You can enter this giveaway by providing your name, email and street address (so that vouchers can be mailed to you or you can pick them up at will call). You must submit all required data in order for the giveaway entry to be valid. Only one (1) entry per valid email. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. on closing date listed.

Prize:
See prize details above entry form, including approximate retail value.All federal, state, and local taxes, fees, and surcharges on any prize are the sole responsibility of the prize winners. Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash. No prize transfer, assignment or substitution by winners permitted. Sponsors reserve the right to substitute prize in the event of unavailability, in which case a prize of comparable value determined in Sponsors’ reasonable discretion, will be awarded.

Drawing:
The prize-winner will be determined after the entry close date listed by a random drawing from all eligible entries received by the end of the Entry Period. The random drawing will be conducted by an independent judge whose decisions are final with respect to all aspects of this Sweepstakes. Odds of winning depend upon the number of entries received. If by reason of a printing or other error, more prizes are claimed than the number set forth in these official rules, all persons making purportedly valid claims will be included in a random drawing to award the advertised number of prizes available in the prize category in question. No more than the advertised number of prizes will be awarded. All decisions of the Sponsors are final.

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Incomplete entries will not be accepted. All entries become the property of Sponsor(s) and will not be returned or acknowledged. By participating in the Sweepstakes, each entrant unconditionally accepts and agrees to comply with and abide by these Official Rules, all eligibility requirements, and the decisions of Sponsor, including the interpretation of these Official Rules and its exercise of discretion, which will be final and binding in all respects. Sponsors, their respective advertising and promotion agencies, and/or any telephone network or service providers are not responsible for incorrect or inaccurate transcription of entry information, or for any human error, technical malfunctions, lost/delayed data transmissions, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, line failures of any telephone network, computer equipment, software, inability to access any web site or online service, or any other error or malfunction, or late, lost, misdirected, illegible or postage due entries.

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