kid 1


Uma World of Wonder

Hello Twirl Friend!
Thanks to everyone who joined us for the opening of our winter festival - it was super fun. Special thanks to our wonderful musicians who entertained the crowd for 3 hours, despite freezing fingers; to Tatiana, our Ice-Queen, who painted many tiny, eager faces; to Santa, for joining us on his busy schedule; to our local and hugely talented artisans - Frank Seckler of Zog Design for our new solar system installation; Balthazar, man of the woods, for the new giant's chair; Anais Rumfelt for the world's biggest wreath [ok, that's a slight exaggeration, but it's big, especially for wee folk, and provided great photo opps for all]; and Rachel B for endless supplies of cookies and her giant gingerbread men! Thanks also to the Harwood Museum of Art and Country Day School for creating two of the six wonderful winter dioramas we have on display upstairs.

If you couldn't make it on the day, please visit at any time during December to see all of the beautiful exhibits. In the meantime, check out some great photos from the day on our Facebook page. 

Looking Good!
Our upstairs playroom is looking better than ever, with the arrival of our new comfy furniture and super-duper complimentary coffee and tea machine. We have added more great toys and games to our on-site toy library, and the imaginative play table is a great way for children to try their hand at creating their own dioramas. As always, the room is available for free, drop-in fun whenever there aren't any classes taking place so come warm up inside with a hot beverage and holiday cookies.
  
Present Perfect!
The toy store is looking pretty good too, as you'd expect at this time of year. As you know, we pride ourselves on finding unique, quality and inspirational products and this year is no exception. We have all the 2010 award-winning toys and games chosen by the American Specialty Toy Retailers Association along with other shining examples in all categories. You can find them listed here in our 'Present Perfect' downloadable pdf"- a gift guide based on age-appropriate toys recommended by the American Association of Pediatrics. Copies are also available on our website and in the store. All our staff of local moms have their own favorites too, so feel free to ask them what they would suggest. If you don't live locally, we are happy to give advice and take orders over the phone, so please do peruse the list on our website for some great Twirl suggestions. Gift-wrappiing is complimentary (and quite lovely!) and we can also ship for you. Last but not least, if you're not a member of our Twirl Piggy Bankers Rewards Program, be sure to sign up in-store. And if you are, remember to tell our staff before you pay for a purchase. During the month of December, Twirl shoppers will receive $10 back for every $100 spent.

Goodies galore!
Our '12 Days of Christmas Facebook Promotion' will commence on December 13, with free prizes to be won every day. If you aren't yet our friend on Facebook, make sure you sign up to win, wherever you are!
Coming up below are details of all the fantastic events taking place over the holiday period, including the Special Children's Holiday Party sponsored by Twirl, the Harwood and El Monte this Thursday as part of the Festival of Wreaths and Trees, and a fun craft project to do at home from Angela.
FREE CLASSES &ACTIVITIES - TRY SOMETHING NEW!
  
Details of all our free activities and classes as follows. Drop-ins welcome.

Mondays
4:00pm - 4:45pm Hoop Dancing with Liz

Tuesdays
3:45pm - 4:30pm Radiant Child Yoga w/ Laura ages 3-8

Wednesdays
10:15am - 10:45am Family Music for Babies
11:15am - 11:45am Family Music

Thursdays
12:00 - 1:00pm Baby & Toddler Picnic Playgroup. .
Ages infant to 3 years. Bring your lunch, make new friends, meet old ones. Upstairs at Twirl.

3pm - 5pm Twirl Creative Adventures.
Dec 2 Festival of Wreaths and Trees event at El Monte Sagrado
Dec 9 Silver Bells
Dec 16 A Christmas Heart
Dec 23 Cards and Paper Crafts
Dec 30 Snow Globes!
 
Fridays
11:15am - 12pm Ballet for Preschoolers with Amber.
 
Saturdays
11am - 1pm Twirl Explorers
Dec 4 Festival of Lights
Dec 11 Deck the Halls
Dec 18 Snowmen!
Dec 25 Merry Christmas: No Activity

Plus, Special Events!
Dec 2 Join us at El Monte Sagrado for the Festival of Wreaths and Trees Children's Party! 3-5 pm. Crafts, Santa, music, refreshments.
Dec 8  Join us for a Chanukah Community Celebration at the TCA hosted by Chabad of Taos.
Dec 31 12 - 1pm Last Friday of the Month Twirl toy play day (please note earlier time) 
Craft of the Month with Angela
Snow Globe
  
Make your own Snow globe!
You will need:

  • A jar of your choice (with a lid)
  • Figurines and little items
  • A strong waterproof glue or epoxy. A waterproof superglue would be a good choice.
  • Distilled water
  • Dash of glycerin
  • Large silver or white glitter and/or confetti (smaller versions will float at the top)
Steps:
1. Use glue to adhere your figurines and tiny items to the inside of the lid. Let dry per instructions.Mom or Dad may have to help with this part!
2. After the glue dries completely, fill your jar with the distilled water.
3. Add just a dash of glycerin so the "snow" falls slowly.
4. Add as much glitter as you like. If you don't like the look of glitter, you can usually find faux snow or confetti at craft stores or department stores.
5. Screw your lid on tightly and enjoy your snow globe!
Exciting events coming up.

Taos is magical at any time of the year, but the holidays bring with them an extra-special enchantment . Where else could you experience centuries-old customs like Taos Pueblo's Christmas Eve Procession and Los Posadas, along with newer traditions like the torchlight parades of the region's ski areas and the ever-popular Lighting of Ledoux?

See below for a snapshot of some of the wonderful family-friendly events taking place in and around Taos over the coming month, or visit twirlhouse.com for full details and a comprehensive round-up of events. Happy Holidays!

Dec 2 Special Children's Holiday Party at the El Monte Sagrado. 3 to 5pm. Free. Santa, refreshments, music from Taos High School, treats, crafts by Twirl and the Harwood Museum of Arts, and chance to preview all the decorated wreaths and trees for the main event....

Dec 3 Festival of Wreaths and Trees Holiday Party and Silent Auction, at the El Monte Sagrado. Support a local profit and go home with a new holiday tree decorated by local businesses. Entrance $20. From 6pm.

Dec 3 Annual Yuletide Caroling and Tree Lighting, 4 to 6pm, at the Historic Taos Plaza, including Yuletide Parade, Mr. and Mrs. Claus and a special appearance by the Grinch. Complimentary hot chocolate & cookies. Plus, nightly farolito lightings by local organizations throughout December. Call Judy at 575-758-4160.

Dec 4 An Enchanted Christmas at Angel Fire Country Club. 6pm to 10pm. Tree decorating with proceeds to local charities, cash bar, food, and auction.

Dec 4 Holiday Bazaar Fundraiser for the community of Tres Piedras at Arroyo Seco Community Center, 9am - 5pm. Unique holiday gifts including handmade jewelry, clothing, fiber arts and more. Frito pie, elk stew, baked goods & hot apple cider.

Dec 4 Harlem Ambassadors Basketball Fundraiser for Youth Heartline at Taos High School Gym, 5pm. Fun Harlem-style basketball comes to Taos. Call 575 770 4744.

Dec 8 A Chanukah Community Celebration hosted by Chabad of Taos, featuring grand menorah lighting, refreshments, musical performance, art exhibition, olive oil making, craft activity by Twirl, and toy wrapping booth for the Chanukah Toy Drive. Taos Community Auditorium, 5pm.Call 751-1323, Entrance $12 adults, $5 children, but no-one will be turned away for lack of funds.

December 11 Lighting of Ledoux, the greatest street party in New Mexico, 5-7pm! Plus, opening of Harwood Museum of Art expansion. See www.harwoodmuseum.org/calendar for all the special events.

Dec 11 Christmas Carnival & Holiday Skating Exhibition at Taos Youth & Family Center, 1pm to 4 pm. Admission free. Carnival games with prizes! Holiday Skating Exhibition provided by the Skating Club of Taos featuring Santa Claus and Dr. Seuss' the Grinch from 1:15 PM - 1:30 PM. Santa, photos, and free gift bags for first 500 children. Call 575-758-4160

Dec 15 RIF Book Giveaway, 10 am to 4:00 pm. The Taos Children's Library will be distributing one free book per child ages birth - 18. Plus, Santa Claus, Free Picture and Gift for first 75 children. Contact 737-2588.

Dec 15 Ornament Making, Taos Youth & Family Center, 3 to 5:30 pm. Free, Children ages 6 - 12. Call 575-758-4160

Dec 17 Angel Tree Gift Give Away, El Alcalde Room, Coronado Hall, 120 Civic Plaza Dr, 1 to 5 pm. For more info call Shirley Lujan at 758-2216.

Dec 20 & 21 Winter Solstice Art Exploration at the Harwood. A 2-day art exploration workshop for kids using the winter solstice as inspiration. Includes special film presentation. 10am-noon both days; class size limited.

Dec 21 & 28 The Royal Ballet of London perform The Nutcracker at the new Arthur Bell Auditorium. All ages event. Facilitated by Amber Vasquez, Director Taos Youth Ballet. Tickets $12 Harwood Museum Alliance Members; $15 non-members; $8 children; 4 and under free. education@harwoodmuseum.org

Dec 23 - 25 Ski & Snowboard with Santa at Angel Fire Resort. Make some turns with Santa!

Dec 24 Torchlight Parades, Fireworks and Fun at region's ski areas - Taos, Angel Fire, Red River.

Dec 24 Christmas Eve Procession at Taos Pueblo. Sundown.

Dec 25 Taos Pueblo Deer or Matachines Dance at Taos Pueblo Plaza. Traditional Christmas Day dances. Dances begin at 2pm.

Dec 25 Luminaria Ski/Snowshoe Tour at Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area. An evening of cross-country skiing (or snowshoeing) along a luminaria-lined forest trail. Enjoy posole, hot drinks and holiday desserts by any of the bonfires along the way. Festivities begin at 6pm. For more info, call 575.754-2374.

Dec 31 New Year's Eve Celebrations at the region's ski valleys - Taos, Red River, Angel Fire.
Warm regards and Happy Holidays!


the twirl team