Winner will be chosen on Tuesday, January 31st!

The holidays can certainly be a busy, stressful time, a time when all around us waste goes up and conservation goes down. I admit that holidays throw me for a loop; I can get easily overwhelmed and let best practices slip. A month later, I have finally caught my breath! Below is a quick assessment of how I did this year during the holidays — What I did well and not so well. How did you do? What will you try to change next year? (Remind me to look back at this next November!)

Top 5 Things I Did Right (i.e. Green) This Holiday Season

Santa goes tag-sale-ing: My son’s gifts included a secondhand stroller and kitchen (plus a new water bottle “like Mommy!”)

1.     Giving: Our son was over the moon about his two big gifts — a wooden kitchen and a baby stroller — both of which Santa acquired at a tag sale last August. For my son’s teachers, we candied organic almonds and packaged them in reused (and reusable) decorative tins. For a close friend, I bought a gift certificate at an upscale local consignment store.

2.     Wrapping: We wrapped everything in reused or reusable materials, including cloth, empty cereal boxes, pillowcases, and decorated bags/boxes, old wrapping paper, and re-used ribbons seeing their nth Christmases.

3.     Receiving: We convinced grandma to give my son about half the number of gifts she gave him last year (yay!) and requested from grandpa a stainless steel water bottle and dish set — both of which my son adores.

4.     Cleaning Up: I meticulously separated out every piece of shrink wrap (recyclable with grocery bags), paper & cardboard wrappers (went right to my son for drawing), and reusable material before putting anything in the garbage. (After a chaotic Christmas morning, it was rather soothing to drink a cup of tea and smooth old tissue paper into neat piles for next year.)

5.     Swapping: A few weeks after the holidays ended, I hosted a swap meet. Friends cleaned house and showed up to trade no-longer-needed clothes, children’s stuff, and housewares. (Think tag sale, but everything is free!) All leftovers were donated to charity.

Top 5 Things I Want to Change Next Year

1.     Better Buying: While I purchased a number of things locally this year, I still depended way too much on ultra-convenient two-day shipping. Ugh, the size of those boxes!

MY GOAL: Next year everything I give for Christmas will either be made locally (including home-made by me) or will be a non-tangible/non-shipped (a gift card, a charitable donation, a coupon for babysitting, etc.).

2.     Holiday Cards: I love sending them; I love receiving them. But is this use or waste? We can definitely reduce our impact in this area.

MY GOAL: Next year, I will send fewer cards by at least half. (People we see regularly will probably get e-cards — hey, maybe those will actually be on time!) With the savings, we’ll print cards on recycled and recyclable paper instead of photo stock (we keep our cards, but maybe others toss them?). I think I’m also going to follow a friend’s lead: send holiday postcards this year instead of card in envelopes. The postcards had photos on the front, and messages and addresses on the back. The photo still looked great on the mantel, but they saved all those envelopes (and some $ on postage, too). I think we’ll give that a try next year, too.

3.     Lights: We’ve been using the same decorative lights for years and we are meticulous about running them for only a few hours each evening for a few weeks. (Anyone got tips on hinting to the neighbors that no one sees their illuminated reindeer at 3am?) The lights do absolutely help my mood on days when it’s pitch black out before my son’s nap is over. But we are still using too much energy. I need to research who makes the best LEDs and maybe scoop some up on sale out of season.

Part of my collection of reusable Christmas wrapping, including a holiday-themed tissue box circa 2003.

MY GOAL: I will replace two strings of holiday lights with LEDs each year for the next three years.

4.     Cleaner Eatin’: I really get a low score for food over the holidays. At celebrations, I indulged in plenty of junk — chips, desserts, and drinks full of chemicals — just because it was in front of me and I was hungry. I even found myself giving in to my son about what ended up on his plate (e.g. the cupcake with the fluorescent frosting) because I was tired and it was easier. Usually I am up to the food challenge, but during the holidays, I lost my resolve a bit.

MY GOAL: I will stick to my guns next year when it comes to how my family eats. I will arrive at celebrations fed and rested, and I will bring with me a healthy, delicious food contribution that, if all else fails, I will eat all of  it (just kidding).

5.     Okay, so I don’t really have a fifth major category to tackle—everything else either fits in one of the above or a little off-topic for greenHaven (e.g. argue less with relatives). So I’ll just say this: I know that to be successful with my goals during the next holiday season, I will need to be better organized and less harried. That means I will need to be calm and not over-committed, with realistic expectations about what I can get done.

MY GOAL: I will slow down during the next holiday season so that I have the wherewithal to remain strong in my convictions. I could even start that now . . .

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Green Mama, kidHaven’s newest contributor, is a local parent doing the best she can to raise her toddler with sustainability in mind. She first got involved with green efforts while working at a local university and found that she really enjoys learning and sharing green knowledge, especially time and money-saving tricks! She looks forward to hearing tips and ideas, from readers.

On Saturday, January 21, 2012, Dragon Calling!, a Lunar New Year Family Day, will run from 10 AM to 2:30 PM at the New Haven Museum. Children will be able to make paper lanterns, dragon decorations, and more. The Yale Children’s Theater will also be performing stories about Lunar New Year and more. Traditional Lunar New Year snacks and refreshments will be served. All activities are designed for children (ages 4 up) and their families to spend the day at the New Haven Museum. The program admission is $5 per child, free for adults and museum members. Pre-registration is suggested, but not necessary.

The New Haven Museum is located in downtown New Haven at 114 Whitney Avenue. For more information, contact Michelle Cheng, Director of Education at (203) 562-4183 ext. 11 or education@newhavenmuseum.org.

These people stare at you constantly, watch you to see if you’ll smile back. They also have the tedious habit of grabbing you up for hugs at random and startling intervals.  The person you love most in the world betrays you by smiling at the intruders, giving them food, and understanding what the heck they’re talking about.

All you know is that you didn’t invite the strangers, and you don’t know if they’ll ever leave.  Why can’t they shut up while you’re trying to sleep? What’s so funny, anyhow?  Why doesn’t anybody invite you out there to laugh along?

Welcome to the holidays, baby-style.

No matter how much we adults complain about the hustle and bustle of this time of year -- we must admit to bringing it upon ourselves.  But our little ones don't have choices about the stress they will have to manage this month.  Join us on Facebook, Friday (Dec 9) when I answer your child development questions and share tips, strategies, and remedies for protecting your baby from undue stress during the holidays.

It’s November and with Thanksgiving right around the corner it seemed only appropriate to do a turkey craft! This project is fun and easy to do. Included are some alternative ways to do this craft for younger and older kids. In my everyday life I am crafting and creating different projects for kids to do and adults to enjoy. Each month you can look forward to craft ideas from me that are easy and use materials that you may already have around your home.

The Thankful Turkey

 Supplies you will need:

• 1 toilet paper roll per child
• Googly eyes
• Orange, red and yellow paper
• Scissors
• Hot glue
• Black sharpie marker

Alternative supplies:

• If you don’t have googly eyes you can always draw a set of eyes.

• You can also use any colors for the feathers but the colors listed are festive for Thanksgiving. Brown, black, purple or blue would be great as well.

• Hot glue is not a must. Elmer’s works well but takes longer to dry.

• Glitter, string, strips of newspaper and tassels can also add extra fun to this project

Begin this craft by cutting out “feathers” out of paper. Make them long enough to have a word written on them.

After cutting out 7-8 feathers per toilet paper roll, write one thing per feather that your child is thankful for.  You can write it, or your child can write it.

Next, cut out turkey feet, wattle and a triangle beak from the orange paper. Use the glue to attach everything to the toilet paper roll. Attach eyes, beak and wattle and then the feet to the bottom of the roll.

** For younger kids, it may be easier for parents to pre-cut the body parts for faster attachment.

Tip: Cut the feet into circles about the size of a dime then make two slits at the top of it to make turkey claws. Glue to the front side at the bottom of the toilet paper roll to give the illusion that the turkey is sitting.     

Lastly, take each feather with chosen word and attach them to the back of the toilet paper roll. Fan them out so they look like turkey feathers and so the words are visible.

Display your craft as a house decoration for the holiday or better yet, on your Thanksgiving table. Have each child take the time to read a loud the things they wrote and explain why they chose them.

Another fun way to do this craft is to write one thing you are thankful for each day leading up to thanksgiving. Start on Sunday or Monday and then attach your last feather on Thanksgiving Day. Your finished craft can be displayed and presented full of all the things you are thankful for on Thanksgiving!

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Christina Cioci crafts daily with kids at the The Painted Pomegranate.  Start looking for her monthly craft posts her on kidHaven!  Welcome aboard, Christina :)

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Christina is the head teacher and social media coordinator at The Painted Pomegranate, an experiential learning center in Woodbridge, CT. She graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2010 and soon after began her freelance career as a writer. Crafting and art are a couple of her passions that join together her love of children and creativity.  As an eco-minded person, Christina hopes to show others the ease of “going green” through her work as a teacher and a writer

Pantochino Productions Inc. presents:

Teen Santa!  The new holiday musical by Bert Bernardi & Justin Rugg

December 15-18!  Seven Performances Only!

The Off-Broadway Theatre at Yale

41 Broadway (directly behind Toad’s Place)

Thursday & Friday at 7:30pm

Saturday at 12pm, 2:30pm & 5:30pm

Sunday at 12pm & 2:30pm

“Teen Santa” is a new pop musical about a 17-year old boy who discovers his super-hero powers and uses them to save Christmas…and the world! Written by Bert Bernardi and Justin Rugg, the show features teen band sensation Nothing2simple who perform live on stage. Fast, funny, heartwarming, “Teen Santa” is perfect holiday entertainment for the entire family. Produced by Pantochino Productions Inc, Connecticut’s new non-profit ‘ridiculously entertaining’ theatre company.

All seats $15. For tickets visit www.teensanta.com

Big Brands, Small Treasures

From boutique baubles to must-have fashion, Downtown New Haven offers world class shopping close to home at Apple, J. Crew, Barnes & Noble, Urban Outfitters, Jack Wills, GANT and over 50 shops that offer fabulous brands like North Face, Coach, Longchamp, Waterford, Nike , Seven for All Mankind, Uggs and more!

Fabulous holiday entertainment and free parking on Thursday and Friday evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday round out the experience to make holiday shopping in Downtown New Haven unique, easy and fun.

UNIQUE

Visit the Broadway retail district for late night store hours until 9 pm and world class shopping including Apple, J. Crew, Barnes & Noble, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, Jack Wills, and the GANT Campus Store.

Stroll over to the historic streets of Chapel to find one of a kind boutiques including Wave Gallery, idiom, Lisa Jones, Celtica and derek simpson…goldsmith, which offer late night hours every Thursday till 8 pm.

Looking for family fun? Visit the Audubon/Whitney district for family-friendly dining options including Moe’s Southwest Grill, Gourmet Heaven, Clarks and Katalina’s Bakery.

The Audubon, Broadway, and Chapel merchants invite you to value the holidays in Downtown New Haven this holiday season with special events and promotions.

EASY

Free Parking

Ample parking is always available in Downtown New Haven and this holiday season it is free with a receipt from a downtown store. Park in the convenient Chapel York Garage (150 York Street) or the Broadway Center Lot every Thursday and Friday evening from 5 pm to 9 pm and any time on Saturdays and Sundays.

FUN

$1,000 Thursdays

Visit downtown New Haven on Thursday nights in December for your chance to win a $1,000 New Haven shopping spree! No purchase necessary. Pick up your $1,000 shopping card at a participating stores between 5 pm and 8 pm. Travel to 10 shops and boutiques in the Audubon, Broadway and Chapel Districts to receive a special stamp. After completion return your card to Info New Haven at 1000 Chapel Street. One winner will be chosen each week for 4 weeks!

Free Pictures with Santa

Bring the children for FREE pictures with Santa at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at Yale located in the Broadway District next to the new Apple store, from 5-8pm on Fridays and 2 -5 pm Saturday and Sundays. Guests will receive both a print and digital photograph as a holiday keepsake.

Gift with Purchase Program

Do your holiday shopping and dining in Downtown New Haven and save your receipts. Bring the receipts to INFONew Haven, 1000 Chapel Street between November 25, 2011 and January 15, 2012 and receive a voucher for a free beverage at participating restaurants or a pass to the Criterion Cinemas or BOTH. The more you spend Downtown, the more rewards you get.  It’s our way of saying thanks for supporting Downtown New Haven business. Some restrictions apply. Visit www.infonewhaven.com/giftwithpurchase or call INFO New Haven at 203-773-9494 for complete rules and a list of participating restaurants.

Taste of New Haven Holiday Food and Shopping Tour – December 17^th

Join Taste of New Haven on a pre Holidays food, drinks, shopping, culture and history tour of Downtown New Haven. While we stroll through shops offering tour members discounts and raffle prizes we will mix it up with tastes of the area’s best culinary delights.

The midday tour takes us along Chapel Street. Our food and drink stops include Sushi on Chapel for a trip to Japan, Oaxaca Kitchen Bar & Restaurant to spice up our Mexican appetite, Pacifico for some Nuevo Latino concoctions and Bangkok Garden Restaurant for Thai food.

The evening tour takes us to Downtown’s Broadway shopping district. Our food and drink stops include Blue State Coffee for a jump start, Box 63 where we’ll fire it up with various flavors at this firehouse-themed restaurant, Thali Too for a taste of India, Yorkside Pizza for a real Yalie snack and finish it all off with some homemade Ashley’s Ice Cream.

Visit www.TasteofNewHaven.com for more information.

Live Entertainment

Enjoy the sounds of live performances from local school musical ensembles every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Chapel and Broadway retail districts.

For more information on free parking, holiday events, stores and shopping hours please visit www.NewHavenShops.com.