✨ Between the Sparkle
Low-key outings, familiar favorites, and space to exhale before the new year.
Hi parents,
Merry Christmas 🎄
This is that in‑between week - when the big plans are behind us, the kids are still home, and time feels a little… softer. Some days blur together. Pajamas last longer. Snacks happen at odd hours. And honestly? That’s okay.
This week’s guide is intentionally lighter. Instead of a packed events list, think of this as a gentle nudge — a few ideas to step outside, a few moments to slow down, and permission to enjoy the quiet before the new year rushes in.
Take what you need. Leave the rest. 💛
✨ Between the Sparkle: A Softer Way to Spend the Weekend
This is one of those rare weeks where the calendar feels… quiet. No rushing from one activity to the next. No “shoulds.” Just time - a little unstructured, a little slower.
Instead of a full events roundup, here are a few easy, low-pressure ideas that feel right for this moment… some festive, some outdoorsy, all flexible.
⛸️ Familiar Favorites (Still Worth It)
If you’re craving something seasonal without much planning:
Ice skating; a classic winter outing if you want to get out of the house and do something that feels special but simple.
Union Square Ice Rink | San Francisco
Outdoor skating surrounded by city lights and holiday energy.
🔗 More DetailsSan Mateo Ice Rink | San Mateo — a more relaxed, local option that’s great for kids and first-time skaters.
🔗 More Details
Holiday lights walks; evenings are still perfect for a stroll and twinkly views:
Filoli Holiday Lights | Woodside — immersive garden light displays and beautifully decorated historic spaces.
Sold out this weekend, but tickets are available for early January.
🔗 https://filoli.org/holiday-lights/Christmas Tree Lane | San Carlos — a neighborhood tradition with festively decorated homes, best enjoyed as a walk-through.
🔗 https://www.sancarlosca.gov/our-city/departments/parks-recreation/community-events/christmas-tree-laneDowntown Palo Alto Holiday Lights | Palo Alto — storefronts and streets lit up for an easy evening stroll paired with dinner or dessert nearby.
Note: Even if this weekend feels full, many of these light displays continue into early January — a nice way to stretch the holiday feeling into the new year without the crowds.
🔔 A Quiet Moment to Mark the Season
If you’re looking for something meaningful this weekend — calm, reflective, and a little different — this tradition caught my eye:
40th Annual Japanese New Year Bell Ringing Ceremony
A peaceful, reflective way to welcome the New Year, rooted in tradition and mindfulness — especially meaningful for families curious about global cultural practices.
📅 This Sunday, Dec 28 | San Francisco (Asian Art Museum)
🔗 https://calendar.asianart.org/event/40th-annual-japanese-new-year-bell-ringing-ceremony/
🐶 Staying In? A Cozy Crowd‑Pleaser
Every year, the San Francisco SPCA shares a little holiday magic through the beloved Holiday Windows at Macy’s Union Square and the Winter Walk on Stockton Street.
What makes it even more special? You don’t have to be there in person to enjoy it.
From the comfort of home, kids (and grown-ups) can tune into the live Puppy & Kitty Cam — a steady stream of adorable adoptable animals that brings instant joy, no prep required.
🕘 The holiday live cam runs daily from 9am–6pm, making it an easy, anytime pick‑me‑up during this quiet week.
Watch the cuteness here:
🔗 https://www.sfspca.org/holiday-windows-2025/
🌿 Self‑Guided Family Hikes (Anytime This Weekend)
If the kids need fresh air (and you do too), these Peninsula favorites are easy to do at your own pace:
🚶♀️ Coyote Point Recreation Area
Anytime, park hours | San Mateo
Walk the bayside trails, watch planes overhead, and let kids explore the playgrounds at this scenic waterfront park. A great way to burn off post‑holiday energy.
All ages | Parking fee; park entry otherwise free | More details
🌊 Cowell Ranch State Beach
Anytime, daylight hours | Coastside, south of Half Moon Bay
An easy coastal trail with ocean views on one side and farmland on the other. Keep an eye out for seabirds and maybe seals.
All ages (stroller‑friendly in parts) | State park parking fee | More details
🌲 Sam McDonald County Park
Anytime, park hours | Near La Honda
Stroll through a peaceful redwood forest where kids can look for banana slugs and newts during the winter months.
Best for ages 4+ | Parking fee; trails free | More details
🦌 Sawyer Camp Trail
Anytime, daylight hours | San Mateo / Millbrae
A wide, paved trail along the Crystal Springs Reservoir that’s easy for walking, biking, or scootering. Kids love spotting wildlife here… deer, wild turkeys, and occasionally even snakes sunning themselves on warmer days.
All ages | Paved and stroller-friendly | Parking available at multiple access points | More details
✂️ Craft Corner: Something Simple & Meditative
If you’re craving a calm moment — with your kids or just for yourself — here are two easy ideas that don’t require much prep or perfection.
🧵 Paper Garland
There’s something quietly soothing about cutting paper and letting your hands lead.
All you need: paper, scissors, string or yarn, and tape or glue. Cut simple shapes, repeat patterns, or let kids freestyle. String them together and hang across a window or doorway. No rules. No “right” way.
🫙 Memory Jar
A gentle way to close out the year without turning it into a big reflection exercise.
Grab a jar, some slips of paper, and pens or crayons. Invite everyone to write or draw moments from the year they want to remember - big, small, silly, or quiet. Fold them up and save them for another day.
🌱 Little Joys
This week doesn’t ask for much. Just a few good moments and maybe a quiet one you didn’t expect.
I hope this guide makes the in-between days feel a little easier. Thank you for being here and for bringing the Parent Pocket Guide along with you this year.
Wishing you a cozy Christmas and a gentle close to the year.
See you in the new one ✨