You can’t buy time or happiness, but you can make purchases that encourage some satisfying togetherness. If you’re spending the holidays with family and friends, here are some purchases to help bring about some serious fun-making.
5 Buys That Will Bring On Some Serious Family Fun This Holiday Season
Keep the whole family happy during the holidays with these items and outings, all available in Sonoma County.
Dice things up: Board games can be lots of fun, but when Uncle Harry dominates trivia-playing from all his decades-ago TV watching, it makes it hard for the younger crowd to compete. Dicecapdes expands and evens out the competition by challenging players to make up stories and songs, perform silly balancing acts and solve word puzzles. The failures and resulting laughter make this game a rollicking good time. $19.99, The Toyworks, 6940 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, 707-829-2003, sonomatoyworks.com
Screen time togetherness: The family trip to the movie theater is a popular holiday tradition. Sharing the same screen is fun, especially if it’s large and the smell and sound of popcorn is added to the experience. Third Street Cinema screens "out-for-a-bit" films that you may have missed. With their tickets topping out at $3.75 for all ages ($4.75 for 3D), it’s a great choice for bringing the extended family and friends. To make things more fabulous, free family friendly films are showing on Saturdays through the end of January. 3rd Street Cinema, 620 3rd St., Santa Rosa, 707-772-0330, sregmovies.com/loc_3rdstreet
Holidays on ice: Ice skating is fun for the seasoned skater as well as the beginner, and the environment at Snoopy’s Home Ice is wrapped in cuteness. Snoopy images, mini Swiss chalet facades and a Warm Puppy Cafe make this rink an especially cozy place to make some memories with family. Check website for hours. The arena is closed on December 25. Snoopy's Home Ice, 1667 West Steele Lane, Santa Rosa, 707-546-7147, snoopyshomeice.com
Jazzminton: This jazzed-up, paddle version of badminton doesn’t need a net and uses easy-to-hit goose feather birdies to boot! Can be played indoors, but point out your fine crystal in the room, and force those kids and adults to "get outside already!" LED birdies are also available. $24.99, The Toyworks, 6940 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, 707-829-2003, sonomatoyworks.com
Walk it off: Treat yourself and your out-of-town guests to one of Sonoma’s beautiful local trails. Your fun and lengthy "catch-up" conversations with loved ones are made even better when they're put in motion. A hike is also good for counteracting the effects of excessive holiday cheeseball consumption. Strap on some new trail-ready boots, like these ventilated and waterproof ankle-highs by Merrell, to get yourself in the spirit. $150, Santa Rosa Shoes 2255 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, (707) 546-1083, salessantarosashoes.net
