Celebrate the season with a variety of activities this December

This holiday season, local residents will have plenty of opportunities to celebrate winter and Christmas.

Westwood Community League

If you love holiday baking, look no further than the baking swap on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 1-3 pm at Westwood Hall.

Kate Hayes, community league board director, says,“We’re inviting the neighbourhood to come together and share in some great baking and hoping we can recreate the recipes in the future.”

Community members are invited to bring cookies, squares, or any other baked goods to the event to share with others. Bring the recipe in case people want to try it out.

“Bring your best cookies and hopefully leave with other stuff,” explains Hayes.”It’s drop-in. It’s casual. Hopefully people show up and celebrate the season.”

Delton Community League

Delton residents are lucky because their league is planning three holiday events: a craft sale on Dec. 8, a gingerbread house-making event on Dec. 15, and a New Year’s Eve party on Dec. 31. 

The craft sale, running from 11 am to 4 pm, will feature a variety of vendors. Shoppers can also buy food at the concession run by Minutemen, a non-profit group. Santa may also make an appearance.

The gingerbread house-making event on Dec. 15 starts at 1 pm and costs $15 each or $25 per family with two kids. Visit deltoncommunity.com/programs to register.

“There’s an online registration but you can pay at the door,” says Angela Nice, communications chairperson.

And on Dec. 31, the league will be hosting a New Year’s Eve party. It’s an adult-only party and tickets cost $40 for league members and $50 for non-members.

“We are doing dinner,” says Nice, “They usually get in a DJ and door prizes. They have a ton of fun.”

Buy tickets from Annette: 780.237.5781.

Eastwood Community League

Eastwood residents are in for a treat with a Christmas party at the league.

On Dec. 13, the party starts at 6 pm. The event will be a cozy affair.

Christy Morin, the league’s networking director, explains residents can enjoy making a gingerbread house, decorating cookies, or making other crafts. Chili, hot chocolate, and coffee will also be available.

That same night, The Carrot Coffeehouse is hosting Jingle Jammin’ Christmas Carolling, starting at 6 pm. Anyone who wishes to sing Christmas carols can go to The Carrot at 6 pm, where organizers will recite an excerpt from A Child’s Christmas in Wales. Chili will be available for carollers to eat before heading out. 

Morin urges, “Wear warm socks, good footwear, gloves. Dress with layers.”

Carollers will first sing around the Alberta Avenue neighbourhood.

“Once The Carrot carollers are done, those who want to continue will head to Eastwood.”

Any Eastwood carollers will then leave the league at 8 pm. “It’s almost like a relay race,” laughs Morin. “We do provide flashlights and singing charts. You don’t have to be a good singer. It’s for all ages.” Those who have flashlights are urged to bring them.

After carolling is finished, there will be free skating at Eastwood’s rink.

And on Dec. 22, Edmonton Police Service’s (EPS) Northwest beats team will be holding a friendly shinny game with community members at the Eastwood skating rink. The game starts between 1-2 pm. EPS will be providing gifts for children, and food and beverages will be available.

Spruce Ave Community League

On Friday, Dec. 13 from 5 to 9 pm at Spruce Avenue Hall, the holiday potluck will be all about Latin American food.

“We had a Harvest Festival in September and that’s when the idea came up,” explains Cindy Leavitt, a member of Spruce Ave’s Neighbourhood Watch and Abundant Community. “I talked to friends who are from Chile and Cuba and they said, “let’s do it!’ ”

Leavitt explains the potluck is meant to engage people who may not normally come out to an event. And no pressure: you don’t have to bring Latin American-specific food. 

“I talked to a Chilean neighbour about foods specific to Christmas and she said, ‘This is all about sharing. The food is secondary to the friendship.’ ”

Participants can also bring a toy or a Food Bank donation “for those who find Christmas to be a tough time.”

Parkdale-Cromdale Community League

On Saturday, Dec. 14 from 2:30 to 6:30 pm, Parkdale-Cromdale Community League will be treating residents to a day of outdoor and indoor fun. 

Sarah Dotimas, one of the organizers, explains there will be horse-drawn wagon rides around the neighbourhood. And depending on the weather, ice skating may be a possibility.

“We’ll have some food and drinks when they come back from their wagon rides,” says Dotimas.

At 3 pm, kids can look forward to a Christmas-themed story time and book swap in the league. Santa will also make an appearance during the day.

Food will be simple yet hearty. “We’ll be preparing soup and bannock and some hot cocoa, tea, and coffee.”

The league is looking for volunteers and for book donations for the swap. For more information and updates, check the league’s Facebook page: facebook.com/PCCLYEG/. 

Elmwood Park Community League

For the first time in a long time, Elmwood Park Community League is hosting a Christmas party on Dec. 14 from noon to 3 pm.

“We’ve just confirmed our special guest of Santa,” says Gillian Daley-deGroot, league president. Residents can take photos with Santa and make holiday crafts. “There will be snacks and food, including a weenie roast outdoors.”

If there’s enough snow, there will be some snow games such as snow art, snow shoeing, and snow fort building.

“The big draw is the horse-drawn sleigh,” she adds.

And sometime in January, the league is planning a clothing swap. 

“It’s going to be a busy year of fun events.”

Alberta Avenue Community League

On Dec. 21-22, Alberta Avenue Community League will host the annual Yule Ave. Highlights include a turkey dinner, holiday movies, gingerbread house making, and ornament making. Participants can also enjoy a concert, take a ride on a horse-drawn sleigh, or participate in Unsilent Night. See page 4 for more information about Yule Ave.

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Featured Image: Parkdale-Cromdale Community League during one of its holiday events. | Supplied