Adopt-A-Family. The Salvation Army is sponsoring this 6th annual program which allows you to purchase gifts for a family in need and give them the presents in person. Listen to the Radiothon on 102.9 Lite FM from 5am-7pm on Wednesday, 12/1 to “adopt” a Twin Cities metro area family. For more information, check out The Salvation Army website.
Gift Wrapping at the Theatres at Mall of America Terrace. Enjoy a movie while your holiday gifts are wrapped on Saturdays (11am-9pm) & Sundays (11am-7pm) from 12/4 – 12/19. There is a suggested donation of $5 for five packages and $1 for each additional package. Donations benefit the following non-profit organizations: Diaper Drive on 12/4 & 12/5, Eastview Community Foundation on 12/11 & 12/12, and Clare Housing on 12/18 & 12/19.
Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Show. This 18th annual event in St. Paul is this Friday through Sunday, 12/3-12/5 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. This is the largest show of its kind in the U.S. and features information and products for affordable ice fishing and winter sports. Get $1 off an adult admission when you use this printable coupon.
Immigrants’ Pioneer Christmas & Winter Market is this Saturday, 12/4 from 10am-2pm at Minnesota Pioneer Park in Annandale. Some of the activities will include hay wagon rides, a traditional Father Christmas display, felting at the Millinery Shop, and more.
Minnesota Sinfonia Winter Concert Series. This winter, you can get free admission to five different chamber orchestra concerts by Minnesota Sinfonia in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Seating is first-come, first-seated and children are welcome and encouraged to attend. The first concert is on December 3; go here for a full schedule.
Your turn: Have you ever participated in the Adopt-A-Family program before? What was the experience like for you?
About Laura Wales
My family has done the Salvation Army family gifts three times. You can chose what size family you want. When we did a larger family, we went in with some other people (since we can’t afford a lot either). You include a grocery gift card and the parent fills out an information sheet with ideas of gifts/sizes of children’s clothing. I enjoyed having my kids actually get to deliver the gifts to the families. The children and parents (usually a single parent) are always very grateful. We also have made a tradition of driving around seeing Christmas lights after we deliver the gifts.
Instead of exchanging gifts with my extended family we pitch in $20 each and adopt a family.
THAT is a great idea!