When I was growing up, my father and mother would take me and my sister to see The Nutcracker Suite at the performing arts center in Marin County, Calif. It was one of many family outings we did each year around the Christmas season. When I was older, going to see a performance of Handel’s Messiah was added to the mix.

When the kids get old enough to sit through a live performance, including this type of activity in the mix of things you do as a family can really add depth and color to the memories of Christmas your children build. Attending Christmas plays, performances and concerts offer wonderful holiday entertainment for all members of the family and provides another way to enjoy the festivities of the Christmas season.

The beauty is, you don’t usually don’t have to venture too far from your home to enjoy a Christmas play or concert. That’s because amateur actor troupes, singers and budding musicians in your neighborhood will often take part in several Christmas performances for local residents. These amateur but entertaining events can be found at local schools, churches or at a community theater or performance center. Of course, if you live near or in a larger city, your options grow exponentially.

Traditional stage performances that take place during this time of year include:

The Nativity Story
Christmas is the celebration of Christ’s birth, so it makes sense to tell the story of his birth and the coming of the three wise men at this time.

A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic has been adapted for the stage as both a drama and a musical. I saw one performance years ago … I make sure to see it because I guy I had a crush on was in it … that was really very good. It never ceases to amaze me how inventive stage special effects can be!

The Nutcracker Suite
Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet is an adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffman’s story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” Composed in 1891-92, The Nutcracker Suite tells the story of a young girl who has a dream on Christmas Eve of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle with a Mouse King. After a fierce battle between the Nutcracker, who leads an army of toy soldiers, and the Mouse King who leads an army of mice, the Nutcracker is captured. But the little girl throws her slipper at the Mouse King, hits him in the head and kills him. In the end, the Nutcracker turns into a Prince and takes the little girl to the magical and enchanting Land of Snow with dancing snowflakes and the Land of Sweets with the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Other popular performances include concerts of Handel’s Messiah, Christmas carols and classical Christmas music.

What makes local Christmas performances special is that members of the community and maybe even of your own household can be among the entertainers. It is therefore special to see familiar faces doing something interesting and different.

For those who are budget-conscious, the performances are usually priced to be very affordable, therefore offering an economic incentive to go out and have an enjoyable afternoon or evening.

Attending Christmas plays, concerts or musical performances serves the basic purpose of entertainment, but it can also help young people — and even adults — to develop an appreciation for the arts. Seeing different variations and the creativity in performances of Christmas plays, as well as hearing different renditions of Christmas songs, can be the first exposure that leads to a lifelong love of the arts and maybe a dream to pursue a career in the arts, as well.

Sometimes I miss being a child … when the wide-eyed wonders and glorious splendor of the season were always fresh, new and full of wondrous things … when the burdens of adulthood hadn’t tainted the sights, sounds and scents that put the magic and a festive spirit into Christmas.

But sometimes I can get a taste of what that used to be by living vicariously through the children of today. And, I hope, that I’ll be able to live Christmas anew when I have children of my own.

Christmas really is a time for children. The major shopping malls enthrall with their various seasonal window displays and in-store Holiday arrangements. This is the best time of year to go window shopping with the kids. The displays, which can be moving, stationary or interactive, can be so mesmerizing that many a parent has arranged a trip to the mall just for children to view the many displays.

Then, of course, there is the annual picture taken with Santa. My mother has all the ones that were taken of me and my sister and it’s quite amusing. The first one or two I’m too young and just plain oblivious. Then there’s the year I was terrified and balling. There are a couple years missing … we were living in Kenya those years … and then my sister joins the pictures and goest through the same phases I did. I really miss taking those annual photos … but my husband is just not into it and I feel funny doing it alone as an adult.

Another fun family activities that is sure to delight the children is driving through the brightly decorated neighborhoods. Sometimes even a local part or arboretum will offer a fantasy of light display to view. Christmas displays have become so common, almost everyone has some form of lighting arrangement at their house. Many a neighborhood sees an increase in traffic during the Christmas season because of the fanciful, landscaped displays of outdoor Christmas light decorations. These usually include figures of reindeers, Santa, sleighs, angels, shepherds and animals that are a part of the story of Jesus’ birth.

There is also the lighting of the official town tree. Many cities and towns will have a official Christmas tree and offer an organized light ceremony. This event can be quite the treat for the kids, as it often includes treats, caroling and other fun activities — often including a surprise visit from Santa Claus.

Take the time to enjoy the season with your children and maybe you’ll get a taste of that magic you once felt so long ago.

Christmas is about celebration. Celebration of the coming longer days. Celebration of family and friends. Celebration of the birth of Christ.

This is why it is such a festive season … we’ve all got a lot to celebrate. And here are some ways that you can use to celebrate the season.

Watch Christmas Movies and Special
This one is easy … if you have a television, you have access to a plethora of Christmas themed entertainment. From traditional fair such as one of the many versions of A Christmas Carol to It’s A Wonderful Life, there are plenty of Christmas movies and specials airing this time of year.

And, often, a new Christmas movie is released in the theaters, as well. This year, we have Jim Carrey providing the voice of Ebenezer Scrooge in the latest version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of the Christmas spirit.

You can also visit your local video store and rent a movie or three. And, these days you can access a wide selection of Christmas fair over the Internet. Not only can you watch stuff on YouTube, but you can even download whole movies.

Go Old School and See a Play
Most towns have local performing arts theaters and this time of year many of them are putting on productions of both traditional and new Christmas tales. Also, many churches are performing versions of the Nativity, the Little Drummer Boy and other Bible stories that teach the meaning of Christmas.

Go Caroling
Singing the songs of Christmas, whether in the shower or at your local hospice center is a wonderful way to celebrate the season. Community colleges, churches and even neighbors gather impromptu caroling groups to sing at hospitals and around the neighborhood. And, if you’re really lucky, you might even be able to see a production of Handel’s Messiah. Some towns even have a sing-along version, which can be quite fun.

Carols as a tradition at Christmas is said to originate from England and France in the Middle Ages. At the time, carols were dances accompanied by singing. The tradition that Anglo-Saxons preferred was to have small choirs gather on the village green and sing carols and Christmas songs to passers-by. Over time, the meaning of the word changed to refer to only certain types of songs.

Rock Around the Christmas Tree
And, of course there is the traditional Christmas party. Workplaces, neighborhoods, even good friends and family will be hosting parties that you can attend and enjoy a little winter festivity. Even social hubs such as bars may have special nights with different food and lower-priced drinks during Christmas.

It seems there is no end to the festivities during the Christmas season. Have a good time … in a responsible manner.