KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The Christmas I was 10, my sister and I woke up at our usual ridiculously-early hour and raced downstairs to the tree. Something was different: fewer gifts than usual, no giant boxes, no bike-shaped mystery lumps. But nestled among the smaller packages were envelopes that turned out to be plane tickets to Bermuda. We were leaving that very morning, which
explained why my parents had not objected to being awakened at 5:30. Decades later, I don’t remember what else I got that year—or most years—but I remember being bundled up and giddy, heading to the airport while it was still dark. I remember pink sand, caves, and the little cakes they served at teatime. It's all still as fresh to me as the air was at Grotto Bay Beach. That trip taught me something I wouldn’t have been able to say at the time:
Presence creates the memories, not the presents. Of course, we all want our kids to have a magical holiday. But when we think back to our own childhoods, what sticks isn’t the stuff, it’s the doing. The zoo trips, the plays, the sporting events, the concerts, the hands held during the adventures. That’s why my long-time holiday mantra is “Do it, don’t dust it.” Experiences are the gifts that last the longest, especially when we do them
together. They don’t pile up in a closet; they plant themselves in our memory. So if you’re still pondering what to give the people you love this year, consider a show, a class, a day trip, a membership, a season pass. Something that says “I see you, you matter, let's do it together." Need ideas? Head to our Local Memberships & Season Passes page! It's your ticket to the perfect gift... and it's guaranteed clutter-free.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes
from Deb" section of our site. |
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I'm thrilled to announce that my new book The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities (co-authored with Jamie Carter) is now published and shipping across North America! It’s packed with inspiring, true stories of everyday leaders who stepped up during the 2024 eclipse to bring people together, spark change, and strengthen their communities. Told with warmth and insight, this book makes a perfect holiday gift for the visionary, organizer, or community-builder in your life. Click the graphic to order from Amazon on print or Kindle; for other ordering options (including educator and bulk orders), or to see an annotated table of contents and the introduction, head to https://theeclipseeffect.com.
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Curious how your AI know-how compares to other parents? We surveyed over 300 of you, and the results are in! The big takeaway? You aren't alone in feeling overwhelmed. While most parents have a basic grasp of the technology, over 52% feel unequipped to actually guide their kids through it. The number one thing you requested help with was "Digital Defense"—specifically, how to spot misinformation and fake news. You can read the full, fascinating report at kidsoutandabout.com/research. Ready for round two? Help us dive deeper by taking our new, quick 13-question survey here: https://forms.gle/1nTsaG384SW8cUpL7.
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Build the best memories at Atlanta's top family holiday event, Holiday Bricktacular! Daily from December 12 - December 24, families can enjoy a winter wonderland of activities, festive decorations and more at LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta.
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Join us as we celebrate the 15th year of our beloved Christmas Concert at The Avenue! Enjoy festive music and holiday cheer, plus sweet treats available for purchase.
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This December, step into a world where dinosaurs come alive — with a festive twist!
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Since 2017, Y’allmark has delighted Atlanta audiences with its clever, improvised spin on our favorite guilty pleasure, a made-for-TV holiday movie. This live stage show takes familiar seasonal tropes… think snow-covered small towns, surprise romances, and charming misunderstandings. Then hilariously reimagines them using audience suggestions. This show is equal parts homage and satire, performed by an all-star cast. Come see what all the cheer is about!
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Sensory Friendly Mornings is an exclusive event for individuals with different sensory processing skills and their families to have a fun, enjoyable, and interactive learning experience in a comfortable and accepting environment. This sensory-friendly event offers a conscious effort to eliminate extra stimuli.
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He has traveled through the seven levels of the Peppermint Forest, past the sea of twirled candied drops just to make Christmas Tree ornaments, read his story to you and of course eat cookies. There will be ornament making, Christmas tree decorating with your ornament to go on our community Christmas tree and story time with your favorite ELF.
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On select nights from November 14, 2025, through February, 28, 2026, Fernbank comes alive with nighttime museum hours indoors and WildWoods: AGLOW outdoors. WildWoods: AGLOW is a multi-sensory afterhours experience for all generations that immerses visitors into a dramatic exploration of nature through glowing and dynamic adventures, uniquely curated to highlight the living flora and fauna within WildWoods.
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Our Santa is amazing, very authentic (real belly and beard!) and really really loves talking to the children. Depending on how crowded it is, your child can spend some real time chatting with Santa! If it is particularly crowded, we do have to help Santa move groups along, because he will talk to his new friends all day!
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Capture the magic of the season with Holiday Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus. Visit us on Mondays, December 8, 15, and 22 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Families are invited to stop by for festive photos, holiday music, and plenty of seasonal cheer. Don’t forget your wish list because Santa and Mrs. Claus can’t wait to see you.
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All are welcome for an Emory Chanukah celebration sponsored by the Emory University Chaplaincy in conjunction with Chabad, Hillel and Meor. Chanukah treats will be provided as well as a festive candle lighting. Come shine light and share joy with the whole Emory community.
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The magic is back at Lanier Islands Resort with the return of the renowned Magical Nights of Lights holiday lights tour. After driving through mile after mile of twinkling light displays, the tour leads to two destinations – the Holiday Headquarters at Game Changer and Margaritaville’s License to Chill Snow Island. Enjoy climate-controlled fun indoors with arcade games, duckpin bowling, dining, and more, then head outdoors for ice skating, carnival rides, snow tubing, and roasted marshmallows!
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Create magical memories with family and get into the holiday spirit at CNC’s most popular Family Fun Day, Enchanted Woodland Wonders! Dive into the magical stories of the Chattahoochee as told by our resident winter fairies.
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KidsOutAndAbout's 2025 holiday events list for Atlanta is somewhat shorter this year than our traditional 101 ideas for local holiday fun, but there are still ways to make the holidays special in our area for 2025. Christmas concerts, lights, trees,
nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.
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- Drop Off Letters To Santa - Adams Park Branch - 2231 Campbellton Road Southwest, Adams Park, Atlanta, Fulton County, GA 30311, United States, Fri, Dec 12, 2025, Mon 10 am - 8 pm, Tues - Sat 10 am - 6 pm
- Festival of Trees - Southeastern Railway Museum - 3595 Buford Hwy, Duluth, GA 30096, United States, Fri, Dec 12 to Sun, Dec 14, 2025, Thu-Sat 10 am - 5 pm, Sun 12 pm - 5 pm
- Winter House at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center - 980 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States, Fri, Dec 12 to Sun, Dec 14, 2025, Times vary, see website
- Santa's Workshop Stories & Crafts - Adams Park Branch - 2231 Campbellton Road Southwest, Adams Park, Atlanta, Fulton County, GA 30311, United States, Fri, Dec 12, 2025, 11 am - 12 pm
- Hanukkah Storytime -
Fulton County Library System - Adams Park Branch - 2231 Campbellton Road Southwest, Adams Park, Atlanta, Fulton County, GA 30311, United States, Fri, Dec 12, 2025, 11 am - 12 pm
- Cirque Du Soleil: Luzia at Atlantic Station - 1380 Atlantic Dr, Atlantic Station, Atlanta, GA
30363, United States, Fri, Dec 12 to Sun, Dec 14, 2025, Times vary
- Morningside Farmers Market - 1393 N. Highland Ave, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States, Sat, Dec 13, 2025, 8:00 am to 11:30 am
- Chase Sports FREE Skills & Drills Clinic - Lost Mountain Park, Dallas Highway, Powder Springs, GA, USA, Sun, Dec 14, 2025, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Pregnant
Meetup - 308 Clairemont Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, United States, Sun, Dec 14, 2025, 1:30 pm
- UPS Second Sunday at High Museum of Art - High Museum of Art, Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, USA, Sun, Dec 14, 2025, 12 pm - 5 pm
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Take out your calendar - you have a lot of scheduling to do to fit in all the incredible Holiday Break camps in and around our area! If we're missing a camp that should be on this list, please email
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Where to Choose Your Own Christmas Trees in the Atlanta area November & December are times of contrast: The gray days outside herald the coming of the holidays, so we make ourselves warm and cozy
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There are lots of places to have a birthday party in the Atlanta area! If there is an attraction that we have missed for our birthday party page, please email us to let us know, and we contact them
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Here's to seizing opportunities to learn wherever they appear!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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