GLENLORE TRAILS AURORA WINTER WONDERLAND

Michigan’s largest immersive and illuminated forest experience, Glenlore Trails, known for being an over-the-top Fall/Halloween walk-thru nighttime forest experiences for guest of all ages, is continuing on for a few more weeks with a refreshed Winter/Holiday experience. This year’s Winter/Holiday experience theme is “Aurora” and it and will run through December 29th.

To help spread some holiday cheer, this Geek Daddy has a family four pack for the Glenlore Trails: Aurora experience to giveaway. Just complete the Rafflecopter entries before 11:59 pm on December 12, 2024 for a chance to enjoy this Winter Wonderland for FREE with your family. Must be a Michigan resident over 18 years old to participate in this promotion. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The one-mile forest trail of Aurora will blend technology with nature creating a magical hands-on adventure throughout the forest. Visitors will encounter touch-sensitive light installations, motion-triggered displays, enchanted holiday sounds, interactive games, and a special twist – magic wands that let you unlock hidden surprises along the trail. “Aurora” commonly known as the northern lights or southern lights, is a natural light display in the Earth’s sky, and that is the experience that will captivate guests under a shimmering sky of brilliant lights, as they venture into the forest of Glenlore Trails. 

Aurora is unique one-of-a-kind Holiday Winter Wonderland experience, exclusively at Glenlore Trails in Commerce Township. This incredible experience includes: 

•  One-Mile one-of-a-kind complete forest transformation Winter / Holiday Themed Walk Through the Forest;
•  Festive Lights and LED Displays;
•  Enchanting Holiday Sounds & Songs;
•  Interactive Experiences; 
•  Interactive Games; 
•  Santa’s Mailbox will be placed at ticket check-in for children to bring their letters to Santa for a special delivery to the North Pole. 

For more information about this event, head over to glenloretrails.com. Merry Christmas! 

DOLLY PARTON'S MOUNTAIN MAGIC CHRISTMAS

Thanks Warner Bros Discovery Home Entertainment for providing ageekdaddy.com with a complimentary DVD of Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas

Stir up some hot chocolate, light a fire in the chimney and cuddle up with loved ones to enjoy a holiday season evening at home watching DOLLY PARTON'S MOUNTAIN MAGIC CHRISTMAS. This 2023 Emmy Award Nominee for Outstanding TV Movie features Country Music sensation Dolly Parton along with guest stars Jimmy Fallon, Willie Nelson, Billie Ray Cyrus, Jimmie Allen and Zach Williams. Available now on Digital and DVD. Rated: TV-G [Originally aired on NBC in 2022]

A modern day movie musical about the making of a network TV special, Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas is the frenetic backstage story and delightful on-camera results of Dolly's desire to uplift an exhausted world's spirits by sharing the unique "mountain magic" she has always found in and around Dollywood at Christmas. Throughout the movie's production numbers and rehearsal chaos, Dolly finds herself taking a private journey into her past, guided by the mysterious appearances of her personal Three Wise Men. When it is time for her big special to air live, a renewed and inspired Dolly goes rogue and shows the world that the real magic of Christmas lies in the heart of the children we all once were, the realization that Christmas is about the people we share it with, and how her faith remains the common thread between Christmases past, present and future.

Dolly Parton has had 26 songs reach #1 on the Billboard country charts, a record for a female artist. Parton has 48 career Top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and 110 career-charted singles over the past 50+ years. While being primarily known for Country Music, Parton has also been enshrined in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame based upon the influence her career has had on artists within that musical genre and today's blending of music styles. She is also known for her philanthropy efforts including donating over 218 million books to children around the world with her Imagination Library. 

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STRANGE WORLD

After unwrapping our presents this morning and driving over the river and through the woods to grandma's house for Christmas dinner, my family had one last holiday present to enjoy today courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios who sent this Geek Daddy a download code for a digital copy of their movie STRANGE WORLD. The 61st animated feature film from Walt Disney Animation Studios is now available on all major digital movie platforms and can be streamed on Disney+. A fun movie for families to watch together this holiday season. 

STRANGE WORLD will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD starting February 14, 2023. STRANGE WORLD on disc and digital will of course both include the bonus content that people love on the home video releases of theatrical movies Included will be deleted scenes and the following featurettes:

• Anatomy of a Scene: Creating A Strange World – Learn about Walt Disney Animation Studios' creative process through a single, visually stunning scene as the filmmaking team puts all of their imagination – and more – on the screen. 
• Strange Science – Jaboukie Young-White (voice of Ethan Clade) hosts an exploration of how Walt Disney Animation Studios artists were inspired by real science to create Strange World. 
• Creature Feature – Journey into the world beneath Avalonia and meet some of the terrifying, slimy, gassy ­– and sometimes cute – creatures that inhabit this Strange World. 
• The Hidden Secrets of Strange World – Uncover the references and characters from some of your favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios films hidden throughout the film, along with some fun facts and behind–the–scenes stories of how Strange World was made. 
• Outtakes – Go behind the glass as the cast of Strange World take you inside the recording booth for some fun, flubs and outtakes.

STRANGE WORLD features the voices of Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher, Clade Dennis Quaid as Jaeger, Jaboukie Young-White as Ethan, Gabrielle Union as Meridian, and Lucy Liu as Calliso. It is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America. The MPAA rating is based upon action, peril and thematic elements. The movie has a run time of approximately 95 minutes. 

STRANGE WORLD introduces audiences a legendary family of explorers, the Clades, as they attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob called Splat; Legend, the family dog; and a slew of ravenous creatures. 

The voice cast includes Academy Award®*- and Tony Award®-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade, a family man who finds himself out of his element on an unpredictable mission; Emmy®- and two-time Golden Globe®-nominee Dennis Quaid as Searcher’s larger-than-life explorer father, Jaeger; comedian, actor, writer, filmmaker and musician Jaboukie Young-White as Searcher’s 16-year-old, adventure-seeking son, Ethan; actress, producer, bestselling author and TIME100 cover honoree Gabrielle Union as Meridian Clade, an accomplished pilot and Searcher’s partner in all things; and critically acclaimed actress, producer, director and fine artist Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal, Avalonia’s fearless leader who spearheads the exploration into the strange world. Film production was led by Oscar-winning director Don Hall (Big Hero 6).

CLICK HERE to check out the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for STRANGE WORLD. For more information about the film, visit movies.disney.com/strange-world.

FUN CHRISTMAS GAME NIGHT IDEAS

Want to add some holiday cheer to your family game nights this Christmas season? My family has had lots of fun times playing a variety of themed games ranging from Harry Potter's Hogwarts Battle to Marvel Super Heroes Munchkin available from The OP Games and here are some entertaining suggestions specifically for this time of year. If you are geeked about family game nights check these out for Christmastime fun:

OPERATION: RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER

Put on your scrubs and help Santa, Rudolph, and Hermey operate on BUMBLE THE ABOMINABLE SNOW MONSTER in this classic game of surgery. Funatomy Parts you need to surgically remove from Bumble include: Jingle Tingle, Mistletoe, Sweet Tooth, Belly Full of Jelly, Royal Flush, Motion Sickness, Seeing Spots, Cold Shoulder, Charlie Horse, Bow-Legged, Change of Heart, and Swimmer's Ear. Rudolph’s nose glows and Bumble roars every time the surgery backfires, so operate with care!

MONOPOLY: ELF

"Son of a nutcracker!" Fans of the classic holiday film Elf will be tickled pink as they travel down memory lane in this re-imagined version of Monopoly. With iconic characters, locations, and quotes, Christmas cheer will sure be sung loud for all to hear in MONOPOLY: ELF.

CLUE: THE GRINCH

A timeless holiday theft is up to you to solve in this nostalgic version of the classic mystery game! Based on Dr. Seuss’s story about the grouchy green troublemaker that hijacks Whoville’s decorations, CLUE: THE GRINCH lets players wear the shoes of Cindy-Lou, Papa Who, and other residents of Whoville to determine WHO caught “the mean one” in the act, WHAT object The Grinch stuffed up the chimney, and WHERE in the town it was taken from!

DISNEY'S NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS MERRY MADNESS

Make Christmas out of mayhem in this fast-paced, simultaneous play dice game inspired by Tim Burton’s holiday classic! Jack’s plan to deliver toys to Christmas Town went haywire after his Halloween Town helpers started throwing gifts at each other instead, resulting in Merry Madness! Join Jack, Sally, Zero, Mayor, and Lock, Shock & Barrel in this all-out game of frightful flinging and be the first one to get the presents in Sandy Claws’s bag to win the game.

HARRY POTTER "WEASLEY SWEATER" PUZZLE

Nothing represents the holidays quite like the first appearance of ugly Christmas sweaters! Celebrate this holiday season with your friends Ron, Hermione and Harry as you gather with friends and family having fun putting together this 550 piece puzzle.

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FIVE THINGS PARENTS CAN DO TO STAY SANE DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY

The Christmas holiday season is here! While this time of year can be a lot of fun, the holidays can also be quite stressful for parents. In fact, it’s not unusual for the festive period to turn to a “shouting fest”.

This is why as parents, you need to start making arrangements or seek ways to unwind, relax, and stay sane, while enjoying the festivities. Here are some interesting coping tips that will help you keep it together and avoid losing it. Make sure your time with family is full of cheer instead of jeer.

Get the Kids Out of the House 

If the weather isn’t too bad, you should consider taking the children out to look at downtown holiday decorations, get some exercise at an outdoor skating rink, go see Santa Claus, or visit a local attraction that may be spruced up for the holidays. Community Christmas Tree lighting ceremonies are always nice events to get you out of the house.

Family Game Time

No thanks to the new Omicron variant, many parents are likely to want to stay indoors during this season. If you’re wary about taking the kids out, arrange for family game time with both tabletop gaming and video games that all ages can enjoy playing together. When kids are engaged with things that they find interesting, they’re likely to stay calm and cause less trouble. 

Take Some “Me” Time Every Day 

Your “ME” time can be spent on anything you enjoy. Watch your favorite TV shows, enjoy some anti jokes or comedies, play your favorite music, or just sit in your favorite chair sipping some hot chocolate. You could even have the occasional alcoholic drink or enjoy some Delta 9o products for full relaxation in the evening once the kids have gone to bed.

This will help you de-stress, increase your tolerance, and keep you centered. Some people prefer meditating for 15 minutes every day, while others spend some time working out. Whatever works for you, do it. 

Pick Some Fun Activities 

Fun activities can often transform pretty stressful Christmas holidays into something truly enjoyable. Some great activities include dance challenges or party games - for instance, you could play “don’t let the balloon touch the ground.”  Create an indoor race track with slot cars or have LEGO building challenges. There are a ton of awesome fun ideas that you can use to ensure the kids, and you, have a lot of fun even if you are couped up inside.

Get the Kids to Participate in Outdoor Activities

I know that most people are likely to be holed up inside their home due to winter weather. But that doesn't mean families shouldn't venture outside for some exercise and fun. Take a dog for a walk, throw a football around or take a bike ride if the weather is nice. If snow is on the ground enjoy the winter wonderland building snowmen and snow forts, sledding or having a snowball fight. By the time they come back inside, they’ll be tired and looking to catch some rest.

TY CHRISTMAS BEANIE BABIES

Have you been shopping for holiday gifts and finding lots of toys out of stock? It is not just a news headline or marketing ploy, the pandemic has significantly turned things upside down when it comes to supply chains and retailers are struggling to have stock available for customers. If you are having a hard time shopping for presents this year here is a tip ... you shouldn't have a problem getting your hands on Christmas themed Ty Beanie Babies as long as you aren't a Howard Langston and wait til December 24th to do your shopping.

Ty Warner, owner of the largest manufacturer of soft toys in the world, has arraigned for more than 150 air shipment flights from manufacturing facilities in Asia to the company's American distribution center in Chicago, Illinois since October. That means that Christmas themed Ty Beanie Babies are in stock and as an extra bonus aren't being affected by any price increases this year. While you may have trouble finding toys at the giant retailers, you can find Beanie Babies and Beanie Boos at smaller neighborhood book, toy, drug and grocery stores or by visiting shop.ty.com.

Ty’s 2021 Christmas line includes Howlidays dog with hat ($5.99) and Brie Christmas mouse ($4.99). Other holiday themed Beanie Babies available this year include Fudge the Christmas Reindeer, Cheer the Penguin, and Snowfall the White Unicorn. My daughter loves Beanie Babies so I'm geeked to know that families will be able to find them this holiday season and in this time of inflation with ZERO price increases. Just the news you want to hear in the nick of TYme for the holidays.

SEQUEL TO ANIMATED MOVIE SING SET FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY RELEASE

Attention! This upcoming Christmas holiday season, a new chapter in Illumination’s animated movie franchise SINGS brings big dreams and spectacular hit songs to theaters. After a year long pandemic shut down of movie theaters this is just what we needed to brighten up spirits!  The ever-optimistic koala, Buster Moon, and his all-star cast of performers prepare to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet …all in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There’s just one hitch: they first have to persuade the world’s most reclusive rock star, played by global music icon Bono, to join them.

My family LOVED the original SING movie and will absolutely be heading to the theater to see SING 2 once it debuts on December 22, 2021. What a fantastic way to have some family fun as the kids' Christmas Break from school begins. Check out the trailer for SING 2:

Buster (Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey) has turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on a bigger prize: Debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City. But with no connections, Buster and his cast—including harried mother pig Rosita (Oscar® winner Reese Witherspoon), rocker porcupine Ash (Scarlett Johansson), earnest gorilla Johnny (Taron Egerton), shy elephant Meena (Tori Kelly) and, of course, porcine provocateur Gunter (Nick Kroll)—have to sneak their way into the world-famous Crystal Entertainment offices, run by ruthless mogul wolf Jimmy Crystal (Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale).

In a desperate attempt to get Mr. Crystal’s attention, Gunter spontaneously pitches an outrageous idea that Buster quickly runs with, promising that their new show will star lion rock legend Clay Calloway (Bono). Problem is, Buster has never met Clay, an artist who shut himself away from the world more than a decade ago after the loss of his wife. Even worse, Buster has failed to realize that Mr. Crystal is an egocentric gangster who would rather drop somebody off the roof of a building than be lied to. 

 As Gunter helps Buster dream up an out-of-this-world theatrical masterpiece, and the pressure (and sinister threats) from Mr. Crystal mount, Rosita’s leading role in the show gets ripped away and handed to Mr. Crystal’s spoiled daughter, Porsha, played by Grammy-nominated artist Halsey. Desperate to save the show, and his life, Buster embarks on a quest to find Clay and persuade him to return to the stage. What begins as a dream of big-time success becomes an emotional reminder of the power of music to heal even the most broken heart. 

SING 2 is written and directed by acclaimed returning filmmaker Garth Jennings and features additional new characters played by music superstar Pharrell Williams, Black Panther’s Letitia Wright and comedians Eric Andre and Chelsea Peretti. SING 2 is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for Mild Peril / Violence / Rude Material.

HOW TO PROVIDE LOVE JOY AND CONNECTION DURING A PANDEMIC HOLIDAY SEASON

For many people, life as they knew it has been put on hold due to the restrictions we all must adhere to with COVID-19. The days of waiting patiently for life to return to “normal” have passed. In fact, there has been enough time that has passed since the virus hit in early 2020, that we can confidently say, we have developed a new normal. 

At first, this new normal was odd. Anything new is going to be strange to our human brain. We like consistency, predictability, and familiarity. It is what helps us to feel safe and secure, the most basic of our human needs. We are now about to embark on another adventure in experiencing something new --The Holidays. 

This is a time of year that we typically would travel, visit family, go to parties at friends’ homes and restaurants, as well as within our offices. We typically deliver presents to share holiday cheer with others. Perhaps your family spends time in service for organizations or with individuals who need extra help and extra support during this time. While these traditions were part of the bedrock of the holidays, they may not be available to us this year. Although this season will look quite different than years past, we may be able to find some hidden treasures in our new “holiday normal.” 

Here are a few suggestions to help you get through this new “holiday normal” that are based on the science of how our human brain is wired with a sprinkling of strategies that will improve your relationships and boost your resilience. So, in other words, these may be things you choose to add to your life, regardless of whether or not we are in the middle of a pandemic. 

1.  Set the Tone: You set the tone of what this holiday will feel like for your children. They certainly will get messages from your community, their peer group, and the news, however, how you feel and talk about the holiday in your home will have the greatest influence on how they feel. Start by asking yourself, am I already setting myself and my children up for being disappointed? Boost your awareness by noticing how you are talking about the holidays with others, especially when your children are present. When you listen to the things that you say, do you feel uplifted or upset? When your children talk about the holidays do you feel your own body get tense or weak? Although you think your children can not sense this inner state, they can, and it greatly affects how they will feel. You can also use a mindfulness platform like Ninja Focus that can be a great companion for your children to check in on ‘how they are feeling’ and listen to guided tracks from wellness experts.
2. Make a List of Things You Do Not Have to Do: Rather than focus on what has been lost by listing all of the things that you cannot do this holiday season make a list of all of the things that you DO NOT HAVE TO DO because of the pandemic. Having worked with families for over 2 decades, I have found that many of them become overly burdened this time of year because of all of the obligatory things that they must do either personally or professionally. Start this list by titling your paper, “All of the things I do not have to do, and I never enjoyed doing anyway.” After you create that list, how does it feel when you read it? 
3. Focus on What Truly Matters: Without all of those obligations, you now have a lot more time to focus your energy on what truly has meaning to you and your family. Time for another list. What are some things that you wished you could have had more time to enjoy if you were not running all over the place during the holidays? How many times have you purchased gifts for your children, but then not have time to actually play with them? Focus on those things. 
4. Make New Traditions: It is a great opportunity to make some new traditions and get your children involved in it. Whether you are celebrating a specific holiday or simply taking some time off of work because school is closed, now is the time to collectively decide what family or individual things your children would like to explore during this time and perhaps share with you. Plan ahead, and yes, create another list by asking your children about things they are really interested in doing or learning and find creative ways to explore these things together. 
5. Spend Quality Time and Bond As a Family: Last but not least, remember that this is the perfect “storm” for you to actually BE together, as a family to talk and connect. Ask any child psychologist and they will tell you that the best way to raise children to be self-confident, respectful, happy, and secure, is to give them THIS most important present -- YOUR PRESENCE. Simply being side by side, listening to each other without being rushed, speaking honestly about their dreams, fears, desires, challenges, and joys. This is what cultivates a happy home and healthy relationships. 

Remember the most important thing is to spend a few moments each day enjoying the company of your children this holiday season. It can bring your family closer and boost your mood. If you think it helps, include yoga and mindfulness exercises into your daily routine. Ninja Focus is a great resource with short and easy to follow mindfulness exercises and meditations that you can practice as a family with your children. Happy holidays! 

 Allison Morgan is the founder of Zensational Kids, a pediatric occupational therapist, renowned author, public speaker, trainer, and an advisory board member of Ninja Focus.

SIX TIPS FOR COPING WITH COVID AT THE HOLIDAYS

As much as the staff at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital provide amazing treatments helping sick kids they also have to provide counsel to those families they aren't able to get positive outcomes for. Their team of psychologists are experts at helping people address uncertainty, stress and grief. With COVID cases rising as the holiday season approaches, a normally cheerful, social time could this year be isolating and depressing this year due to the pandemic. And if people aren't careful they and their loved ones could be at risk for getting sick with the coronavirus.

So I wanted to pass along some tips from St. Jude Psychology Clinical Director Niki Jurbergs, PhD, along with her colleague Megan Wilkins, PhD, on coping with Covid at the holidays:

1. Perform a mental health check - It is critically important, especially given mounting “pandemic fatigue,” that we attend to our own mental health. We must first take stock of our own mental health and assure we are not trying to “pour from an empty cup.” It is imperative that parents take time for care of themselves, including spending time outside, seeking social support and engaging in relaxing activities. Give yourself grace to feel disappointment and upset about this highly anxious and uncertain time. 
2. Feel empowered to do what feels comfortable – In our work with families of children with cancer, we stress the importance of facing the upcoming holidays feeling empowered to do what feels most comfortable given the risks and restrictions of their child’s diagnosis. This is a time for all of us to take this lesson to heart and work to adjust our expectations and prepare for things to be different this year, and in many cases, difficult as well. It can help to talk about these losses, sharing what we are missing most this holiday season. 
3. Take time to consider what is meaningful to you around the holidays – Take time to consider what is meaningful to you around the holidays. Is it the special recipe for a dish your grandmother used to make? Is it playing games with family members? Watching a game with friends? What parts of these meaningful pieces of the holidays can still happen in a way you feel comfortable with? Rather than looking forward to our typical parties and family meals, we might choose to focus on the gift of health we give when we make the sacrifice of honoring our families’ and loved ones’ health and safety by staying home. 
4.  Make the holidays special from afar - Planning surprises such as cards or gifts delivered in the mail lets your loved ones know you’re with them in spirit, if not in body. Recognizing that many of us are tired of looking at screens, virtual games and activities such as scavenger hunts or singing favorite holiday songs may be more engaging than simply video chatting. Families who remain distanced this season may enjoy developing new traditions, such as trying new recipes or playing new games with those they share a household with that might be incorporated into future holidays when they can safely be together again. Families may choose to reflect on what they are thankful for by coming together to make donations to charities and causes that are meaningful to them. 
5.  Protect your elderly loved ones from loneliness and isolation - In many cases, seniors experience a heightened sense of loss related to pandemic restrictions. These elderly individuals express the feeling that their time is short, and that time is being stolen from them. Some express a willingness to accept the risk of potential virus infection to spend time with family because they are more fearful of dying of old age than they are of dying of COVID-19. Reaching out to those at highest risk for loneliness is more important than ever. Phone calls, video chats, cards, drive-by parades and even socially distanced outdoor visits can help them feel connected and reassure them that you are thinking of them. 
6. For the 250,000 Americans grieving the loss of a loved one from COVID-19, make the decision about the holidays that feels right for you – Celebrating holidays for the first time without a loved one is unspeakably difficult. For these families, not only has this pandemic taken the life of a loved one, the threat remains. That is, not only are they grieving, they are continuing to face the virus and its ongoing impact on a daily basis. These families should not feel obligated to engage in holiday traditions as they have in the past. In fact, it might feel better for some to not celebrate at all this year. Conversely, some families may choose to find special ways to honor and include the memory of their lost loved one. As with all family decisions, this one is highly personal.

CELEBRATION OF LIGHT

We jump started the holiday season with a visit to the Troy Historical Village's CELEBRATION OF LIGHT exhibit. This museum in Troy, Michigan preserves buildings that were in use within the community from the 1800s - 1920s laid out around a town square letting people step back into time to experience what life was like when the suburban city was instead a rural farming community. The village includes a log cabin, black smith shop, mercantile building, church with parsonage, one room school house and a Civil War era home. All lit up with holiday flair after dark this time of year.

Due to the pandemic my kids have been doing virtual learning from home so far this school year. This outing made for a nice home schooling field trip. We learned a lesson on the origination of candles in celebrating birthdays during our stop at the Troy Historic Village's school house. An interesting topic for my twins whose birthday is during the holiday season between Christmas and New Year's Day.

Each of the buildings along a designated socially-distanced path provide interesting tidbits about how light is incorporated into secular and religious celebrations as nights get darker and the year end approaches. Learn about how civilization mastered light and expanded beyond a practical need to also provide spiritual and symbolic significance. In addition to some colorful displays visitors can also learn interesting trivia making a visit to the Troy Historical Village both an entertaining and educational experience.

Viewing the Village in a different light by visiting after dark, this event embraces the rich diversity of the city's population providing a chance for neighbors to take a look at different perspectives from a variety of cultural groups that call Troy home. Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and Christian traditions are reflected in displays that share the ways light is used in their faith and cultures in daily observances and annual celebrations.

Head over to troyhistoricvillage.org for more information about this CELEBRATION OF LIGHT. The Troy Historic Village is located at 60 W. Wattles Road in Troy, Michigan. With so many holiday activities cancelled this is a nice way to spend a festive evening. I've always though history is fun and events like this are a nice way to showcase that attitude and enjoy some holiday cheer.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas from my family to yours! Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season from ageekdaddy.com

CRANBROOK HOUSE HOLIDAY SPLENDOR

We got into the holiday spirit with a visit to the historic Cranbrook House in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan to see it decorated for Christmas. Designed by noted Detroit architect Albert Kahn this English Tudor-style was built in 1908 for the family of a newspaper mogul. It is the oldest surviving manor home in Metro Detroit. The mansion is now a centerpiece of the Cranbrook Educational Community which includes an art museum, science center and college preparatory academies.

Annually in December, the Cranbrook House is opened to the public for one weekend to showcase it decorated for Christmas. Visitors to this ticketed can take self-guided tours of the historic home enjoying its ambience decked out with Christmas trees, garland, and wreaths. Plus there is a chance to get a family photograph with Santa Claus. This year's Holiday Splendor event took place December 6 - 8. Proceeds from tickets to this fundraiser support the preservation of this National Historic Landmark.



Based upon the jolly good time we had at the Cranbrook House Holiday Splendor event, I highly recommend making it part of your holiday festivities next year. Visit housegardens.cranbrook.edu or call 248-645-3149 in November to get specific Holiday Splendor dates and times to mark on your calendar. Especially, if you have young children at home because Cranbrook House provides an exceptional Santa Claus Sighting experience.

Mrs. Claus greets families as they wait to see Santa and get kids to fill out wish lists helping parents get some clues for present ideas and encouraging the children to chat about the gifts they want. If you don't have your holiday shopping all done yet this can be very helpful!

Situated in the picturesque library of the Cranbrook House, not only does this event provide a grand backdrop for photographs with Santa but he also provides a lot of interaction and personal attention to the kids that visit. A very nice opportunity to get a wonderful picture for your family's Christmas card or a memorable photo for a child's scrapbook.

During our visit Santa really chatted us up and expressed a genuine interest in each of the children that visited him. Only one family is brought into the grand room where he is located at a time so it feels like a private moment and there is no sense of rush because of a crowd surrounding you like is often the case during a visit with a Mall Santa. A bunch of digital pictures are taken and mailed to you so there is no pressure to purchase an expensive photo package to capture the occasion. Also they don't mind if you pull out your own camera to take a few shots of your own. With hat in mind, the Santa Sighting tickets during the Holiday Splendor event are a real bargain.

After taking some posed pictures and talking with children about what gifts they would like for Christmas, Santa then has the kids sign a book pledging to stay on the Nice List for another year. I thought that was a nice touch! The only regret I have from the experience is that we didn't bring my son and daughter when they were younger and probably would have been more into the moment. Don't miss out on this experience if you have young children looking forward to meeting Santa at Christmastime!

As we left Santa handed each of us some special glasses to wear. Donning these lenses transforms the lights on Christmas trees and other holiday decorations into shiny gingerbread men. Not only was it fun to explore the Cranbrook House seeing the special effects of these glasses throughout it but they also worked at home on our own Christmas decorations. We enjoyed relaxing in our family room after our Cranbrook House visit, sipping eggnog and enjoying the view of our Christmas tree twinkling with gingerbread men.

After spending some time with Santa Claus, we enjoyed walking around the Cranbrook House taking in the festive atmosphere. Entering this historic home is like stepping into a Charles Dickens novel. The holiday decorations compliment the antiques, artwork and architecture of the Cranbrook House providing a festive vibe to the place. In addition to the library, visitors can also explore a variety of rooms on the first floor of the manor house.

Visitors can wander through a Reception Hall paved in Moravian tiles that was originally used for entertaining guests and imagine being at a holiday gathering when the place was home to a vibrant family. The home office has a stately fireplace and display of artwork picked up by the Booth family during a South American expedition. The Sunset Room was laid out for a tea party. Two of our favorite rooms though were the Dining Room and Oak Room.

The Dining Room was decorated with a Chronicles of Narnia theme. A bust of Aslan guards the room's fireplace. A frosty looking Christmas Tree represents the Witch from the first book in the C.S. Lewis series of novels. Turkish delight was even placed upon the dining room table.

The Oak Room was filled with a ceramic Christmas Village circled by a model train. This isn't any ordinary toy train though. It is a classic Lionel Train from the 1930s covered in 18-karat gold plating. Toy enthusiasts and train hobbyists as well as kids of all ages will be delighted to get a close up look at this amazing locomotive. Beyond seeing Santa, watching this toy train race around the tracks laid out in the Oak Room was a highlight of our self-guided tour of the Cranbrook House.

Marvel in the architectural details of this magnificent estate, enjoy cheerful holiday decorations and have yourself a Merry Christmas by partaking in the Holiday Splendor of the historic Cranbrook House. This holiday fundraiser to help maintain and preserve this splendid place absolutely gets a Geek Daddy nod of approval. To learn more about this places or other events taking place here throughout the year, go to housegardens.cranbrook.edu

It Was The Wednesday Before Christmas & New Holiday Themed Comics Appeared On Store Shelves

I always enjoy stopping by a comic book shop on Wednesdays which is the day new weekly releases are placed on store shelves.  It is always a fun break to check out all the cover artwork and see what interesting stories are out.  With Christmas being just a few days away, it was nice to see publishers were still releasing a few holiday themed treats for consumers to enjoy:

KLAUS & THE WITCH OF WINTER -- Boom Studios

Klaus returns for an epic oversized one-shot, perfect for any comic fan's stocking! Brought to you by legendary creator Grant Morrison and 2016 Russ Manning Award winner Dan Mora, join the continuing adventures through space and time of the man that would become Santa Claus.

HARLEY QUINN -- DC Comics

Come spend the holidays with Harley in issue #10's collection of wintry short stories-just don't expect to make it to New Year's in one piece!

LUCIFER -- DC Comics

It's a LUCIFER holiday special! Forget coal-this nice 'n' naughty issue is your reward for a year of indulgent misdeeds with the devil. Writers Holly Black and Richard Kadrey team up to deliver a darkly festive and irreverent ode to the joy of seasonal sin and twisted Secret Santas.

X-FILE X-MAS SPECIAL 2016 -- IDW Publishing

When a school holiday pageant takes an extraterrestrial turn, Mulder must contend with old ghosts, present dangers, and close encounters yet to come. But this is no cookie-cutter Christmas Carol. Together with Scully, and a host of holiday visitors and visitations, they'll rediscover the spirit of the season... if they can only survive the night. Executive produced by The X-Files creator Chris Carter!

POWER MAN & IRON FIST SWEET CHRISTMAS ANNUAL -- Marvel

YOU BETTER NOT POUT, YOU BETTER NOT CRY! 'Cause you're getting an extra helping of POWER MAN AND IRON FIST! This Christmas will be sweet, indeed! But not for Luke Cage, who is feeling neither holly nor jolly. Surely Danny can change that! Or maybe these demonic toys will! Wait, demonic toys?! OH, NO!

Drink a glass of egg nog sitting by an open crackling fire while you appreciate the joy of reading a comic book during the Christmas holiday break.  Is there a favorite comic book that you like to pull out to read this time of year?

Top Toy Picks For Holiday Gifts

Looking for a holiday gift idea for a girl or boy between the age of 6 and 10? This is the age range of most of the children A GEEK DADDY will be shopping for this year including my own son and daughter; so I've provided a listing of gift ideas that I actually would give to my friends and family's kids as well as approve of my own twins receiving based upon my researching and reviewing toys throughout the year for this blog.  As I am a big fan of toys that educate kids through play, many of these selections encourage creativity or engage children to learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) concepts. 

Some of the toys included in this listing were provided for free to ageekdaddy.com to review but no brand was promised inclusion in this gift guide for providing product samples and no one paid me to be mentioned in it. These are my genuine suggestions for toys that will delight kids not just when they are unwrapping the present but through countless hours of imaginative play that each of these items will provide a child.  CLICK HERE to check out A GEEK DADDY's list of great present ideas to place under the Christmas Tree this year.

Michigan Bloggers Holiday Paypal Cash Giveaway

Happy Holidays! I know everyone can use a little extra cash in their pocket to spend this time of year, so I've teamed up with some of my favorite fellow Michigan-based bloggers to give you the chance to win some PayPal Cash.  Complete the rafflecopter entries below by following each blogger on Twitter and one lucky person will receive $45 in PayPal Cash to help with holiday season expenses or whatever else you may want to spend it on. The giveaway ends on 12/4/2016 at 11:59 pm and is open to US residents, ages 18 and older with a valid Twitter Account.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Metro Detroit Mommy will be notifying the winner and awarding the prize.  Good luck everyone!

'tis the season for Skylanders

Thanksgiving Weekend is often considered the start of the holiday shopping season so of course Skylanders wants to be a part of your plans with fun promotions and some great deals.  It all starts off with the popular video game franchise for kids hosting a giant character balloon in the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!  Tune in to NBC on November 24th at 9AM (all time zones) to view Eruptor flying over the streets of New York City flashing his 25-foot smile.

After your Thanksgiving meal there are some great Skylanders discounts and deals going on over the weekend. Starting on Black Friday, parents will be able to get their hands on Skylanders Imaginators Starter Packs for the suggested price of $39.99 each and Skylanders Sensei toys for the suggested price of $9.99 each, for a limited time at major retailers nationwide.  Activision Publishing, Inc. is also releasing a special holiday Skylander Sensei toy -- Jingle Bell Chompy Mage. Available at participating retailers starting November 25, 2016, Jingle Bell Chompy Mage is a specially designed toy that appears in the game outfitted in a holiday-inspired wardrobe.  He joins the new lineup of Sensei Skylanders new to  teach the Skylanders fighting techniques and a classic Chompy holiday tradition – the White Chompy gift exchange!  After all, ‘tis the season to be Chompy!

Believe it or not, the Chompy Mage actually hatched from inside a Chompy Pod!  At least that is how his Chompy hand puppet tells the story. Having been raised by Chompies, it is no surprise that the old magician is a little strange.  He simply grew up embracing the Chompy way – believing that Skylands would be a better place if everyone was a Chompy – an illegal enchantment which he has actually tried to perform on several occasions. It was this kind of magic that led to him to be locked up inside Cloudcracker Prison. After breaking out and joining the other Doomlanders, Chompy Mage was once again captured by the Skylanders, Eon gave these Villains a choice – either go back to jail or become Skylander Senseis, teaching a new generation of Imaginators their formidable battle skills as well as how to stay clear of a life of crime. They accepted the deal but first had to prove themselves by re-arranging all the books in the Academy’s library, a task which took almost two years, testing every ounce of will they had. This also gave Chompy Mage time to take up the bazooka, which he was naturally so good at that he now trains Imaginators of the Bazooka Class as a Sensei master.

Existing Skylanders fans will want to pick up The Portal Owners Pack which will be available exclusively to Wal-Mart shoppers for a limited time during the retailer’s Black Friday event which starts at 6 p.m. local time on Thanksgiving, November 24 (price valid through Friday). At the suggested retail price of $25 it is a great value and the perfect gift idea for players who already have portals from previous Skylanders games -- Skylanders® SuperChargers, Skylanders® Trap Team, Skylanders® SWAP Force™ or Skylanders® Giants. The Portal Owners Pack provides fans the opportunity to play Skylanders Imaginators without purchasing a more expensive Starter Pack. The Portal Owners Pack includes:

•        Skylanders Imaginators Video Game

•        1 Imaginite Creation Crystal – Fire Creation Crystal

•        1 Sticker Sheet

•        Collection Poster featuring all of the Skylanders Imaginators Figures

Once you've had your fill of Thanksgiving dinner and shopping, have some fun by downloading the new   Skylanders^TM Creator FREE mobile app that offers Portal Masters a one-of-a-kind experience to create Imaginator characters on-the-go! Skylanders Creator lets users design Imaginators from scratch directly from the app. Skylanders Imaginators players also can magically transfer their created characters from the console game to the app using innovate audio technology.

The app also provides a variety of ways for parents to find the ultimate gift for the Portal Master in their life with the purchase of a fully-playable 3D printed figure for the suggested price of $49.99, an Imaginator T-shirt for the suggested retail price of $24.99 or an Imaginator Card which act similar to a Creation Crystal in allowing players to access a character made via the app on a game console for the suggested retail price of $14.99 – all items are customized to match the Skylanders Imaginator characters created by players on Skylanders Creator. Quantities for the 3D printed characters will be limited, making them true collectors’ items.

Portal Masters are encouraged to get into the creation spirit now by participating in the Skylanders #CreatorContest. Fans who share their Skylanders Imaginator creations on social media using the dedicated hashtag and provide a link on skylanders.com/creatorcontest have a chance to win a 3D printed Skylander Imaginator. November 21-27 marks the last week to enter the contest. Check out official rules here: skylanders.com/creatorcontest

Skylanders Imaginators is available on all major gaming consoles including Xbox 360^™ and Xbox One^™ video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft, PlayStation^® 3 and PlayStation^® 4 computer entertainment systems and Nintendo’s Wii U^™ system. The game supports all 300+ Skylanders from previous games. For more information, visit Skylanders.com.