We do plenty of Christmas at our house. Besides the decorating, shopping, and trips to the mall to see Santa, we also partake in a fair amount holiday events like parades, plays, and light shows. Some of these experiences have been on the big and splashy side, which you would think would make them all the more memorable to my daughter. As it turns out, this wasn’t the case. Last week while putting up the tree, I asked Rose about her favorite memory from Christmases past. I was thinking it would be presents on Christmas morning or the yearly holiday play we see, but she surprised me when she said it was the annual tradition of making a gingerbread house with her aunt that stood out the most.

I guess it’s true what mom said; it really is the little things that count.

Make your holiday memorable with one of these simple and sweet seasonal events.

Photo: Therese Powell

If you’re thinking you’d like to start a gingerbread house tradition of your own, stop by the Hugh Smith Recreation Center in Arlington Saturday morning for a little confection carpentry. That’s right, at this Gingerbread House Workshop you and your little elves (ages 3+) can make your very own gingerbread house complete with sugary shingles, snow-frosted windows, and colorful candy landscaping. Santa will also be there so don’t forget your camera. The cost is just $6, but pre-registration is required so don’t dilly-dally!

Make a cornhusk doll at LLELA during Christmas at the Cabin. Photo: Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area

Celebrate the holidays the old-fashioned way this Saturday at Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area. Their Christmas at the Cabin event this Saturday will take you back to Christmastime in the 1870s. Take a tour of the historic Minor-Porter Log Cabin, make a corn husk doll or an ornament to take home to your own Christmas tree, create a hand-dipped candle, enjoy carols, sip hot cider by the campfire, and more. You can come anytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and enjoy the event at your own pace.

Create a painting al fresco at Oliver Nature Park. Photo: City of Mansfield

Looking for a special gift for Granny? Head over to Oliver Nature Park in Mansfield Saturday morning for Painting in the Park and create a painting of a blue jay to keep or give away. Don’t worry if you’ve never held a paintbrush, an instructor will guide you step-by-step as you create your masterpiece. The class is $32 for adults and $27 for kids 5 and up. Everyone can paint their own canvas, or parents can help the kiddos at no charge. All materials will be supplied. Pre-registration required.

Photo: The Three Musketeers by Jackie Mellor-Guin – (l to r) Shay McDonald, Michael Speck, Ivan Jones, Bryan Brooks, Christopher Lew – Photo by Michael C Foster

There’s a bumper crop of  plays out there right now for kids, but if you are wanting something different go see Theatre Britain’s panto “The Three Musketeers.” In case you didn’t know, a panto (short for pantomime) is a British twist on a traditional fairy tale. They feature songs, dances, jokes, exaggerated characters and LOTS of audience participation. And by participation, I mean loud singing, boos for the bad guy and alerting the good guy to danger. Plus, as an added bonus, there’s a wacky plot to keep the parents interested. This is a particularly bittersweet production because it’s Theatre Britain’s last panto. The owners are closing the theater to return home to England. Don’t miss this panto finale. It’s on stage through Dec. 30

Photo: K3 Sisters Band

Looking to add a little Fa-La-La-La to your season? Make plans to catch the K3 Sisters Band this Sunday at Opening Bell Coffee. The holiday concert,“Good Tidings, Love Songs & Christmas Cheer,” is led by sisters Kaylen, Kelsey & Kristen Kassab, along with Pascale Hall, owner of Dallas’ Opening Bell Coffee. It will feature a variety of holiday, Christmas and pop songs, plus a number of their original love songs. What makes this family-friendly matinee performance even better is, it’s absolutely free!