A few magical ways to celebrate the season

Fond childhood memories of Christmas inspired a longtime Ranchos resident to start a new tradition this year.

Greg Cazier, known as "Smiley" to his friends, has invited Santa Claus to his home Saturday evening to visit with local children and listen to their Christmas wishes.

"I got to thinking that there is nowhere in Gardnerville or Minden where kids can go and see Santa Claus like they can at a department store," he said. "So I thought we'd try this and see what the turnout is."

Children are invited to visit with Santa at 632 Bluerock Road from 6-8 p.m. Saturday. While there, they can share their wishes with him and will also receive a candy cane.

For years, Greg has decorated the outside of his home, getting a little more elaborate each time. Though his children are older now, he still enjoys creating different displays in the yard each Christmas. It's a tradition he'd like to see passed on.

"I remember entire neighborhoods lit up when I was growing up and you just don't see it as much these days," he said. "I'd like to replicate that for today's kids."

What a generous and loving way to embrace the spirit of the season.

Gingerbread house class creates a special memory

I want to thank the lovely staff at Cooks Pantry in Gardnerville for inspiring a new tradition in my family.

Earlier this week my 2 1/2-year-old son Sam and I went to a Mommy and Me gingerbread house-decorating class at the store. We arrived bright and early and were greeted with steaming cups of cocoa and eggnog dressed with miniature candy canes.

Tables were set with ready-to-decorate gingerbread houses, colored frostings and more candies and goodies than can be imagined. There were several other moms there with their kids and we each found a seat at the table.

The class leader, Annie, cheerfully gave us suggestions for decorating our houses, such as using frosted mini wheat cereal for a thatched roof and stacking marshmallows to create a cheery snowman. There was even flaked coconut to give the whole house a snowy feel.

The kids dove in with gusto, as did the parents. Although there wasn't a time limit, Sam and I completed our masterpiece in about an hour. The ladies even packaged the houses in cake boxes so they wouldn't shift around the car on the trip home. What a blast to take a break from the "busy-ness" of the season and do something so festive and creative with your child.

Cooks Pantry is offering several more gingerbread house classes. On Sunday, there will be a class from noon to 2 p.m. and another from 3-5 p.m. which anyone can attend. Then on Tuesday, another Mommy and Me class will run from 9-11 a.m. That afternoon, there will be a class from noon to 2 p.m. and a final class for older children offered from 3:30-5:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per house and reservations are requested.

In addition, they are hosting a Kids Christmas Cookie Day Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children are invited into the store to decorate a Christmas cookie for free.

For more information or to make a reservation, call Cooks Pantry at 783-9516. They are located at 1328 Highway 395 in the shopping center south of Lampe Park.

However you choose to celebrate this magical time of year, I hope you enjoy good times filled with family and friends. May your season be blessed with joy and peace.

n Amy Roby can be reached by e-mail at RanchosRoundup@hotmail.com