Discovering the Spirit of Christmas : Activities Offer a Glimpse of Seasons Past and Present

If crowded malls and never-ending gift lists are turning your “Merry Little Christmas� into “Nightmare on Holiday Lane,� get back into the spirit of things with the help of some Southern California events.

Children can discover what Christmas used to be like if they visit the Discovery Museum of Orange County today. Gingerbread and garlands figure into the turn-of-the-century Christmas at the Holiday Craft Workshop. From 9 a.m.-noon, children ages 5-12 will create decorations, play games and sample treats. Cost of $12 includes craft materials and refreshments. Reservations are recommended. The museum is at 3101 W. Harvard St., Santa Ana. Holiday hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-Jan. 1. Admission: $1 for adults, 50 cents for children 11 and younger. Information: (714) 540-0404.

An 1890s-style Christmas tree, antique dolls and toys will put the Victorian holiday spirit into the Santa Monica Historical Society Museum of History and Culture, 2050 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. Free admission. To lend items for the toy exhibit or early ornaments for the Christmas tree, call (213) 394-2605.

The Signs of the Season will present favorite Christmas carols in sign language at “A Christmas Holiday Fantasy,� presented today by Community Services at Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills. Mime, music and dance will be featured at both shows, at noon and 1:30 p.m., at the Performing Arts Building. Admission: $2.50. Information: (818) 719-6425.

How about visiting Donner--and Dancer and Comet and Cupid . . . well, the names may not be accurate, but five reindeer have already arrived at the L.A. Zoo. And beginning Dec. 26 and running through Jan. 1, there will be a special Winter Wildland. Children can work like elves to make their own antlers at the free workshops, and there will be storytellers, Zoopeteers (puppet show) and holiday versions of the animal shows. Santafant (an elephant Santa?) will also be there during the weeklong activities. Holiday presentations are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily during the Winter Wildland week. Zoo hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Closed Christmas. Admission: adults, $4.50; seniors 65 and older, $3.50; children 2-12, $2; under 2 free. Information: (213) 666-4090.

All handicapped children and their parents are invited to the annual Christmas party sponsored by the Jeffrey Foundation for Handicapped Children. The event is Dec. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Veteran’s Auditorium, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City.

Radio announcer Burton Richardson will emcee the entertainment, and Santa Claus (Robert George) and a magician will appear. Toys and goodies will fire the event with Christmas cheer. Reservations are requested. Jeffrey Foundation founder Alyce Morris says volunteers are always welcome and donations appreciated.

Special Day Camp

Also, the Jeffrey Foundation’s Holiday Season Day Camp for developmentally disabled people 6-22 years old runs Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-30, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations are required. Tuition is charged on a sliding scale. Information: (213) 398-2665.

Practice a little family harmony for the Edward-Dean Museum of Decorative Arts’ Christmas Carol Sing Along Tuesday, from 7 to 9 p.m., in the Riverside County Art and Cultural Center Pavilion, 9401 Oak Glen Road, Cherry Valley. The Pass Chorale and San Gorgonio Barbershop Chorus will perform Christmas classics. Dress warmly, and bring a homemade tree ornament for the Christmas tree, which will be given to a needy family. Refreshments available. Admission: $1; children 11 and younger, free. Information: (714) 845-2626.

McGroarty Arts Center in Tujunga is decked for the holidays and the second annual Local Artists Christmas Show, opening Monday at 5:30 p.m. with a free artists’ reception open to the public. The show will continue through Dec. 29. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Free tours of the arts center. Information: (818) 352-5285.

Listen to carolers sing holiday classics while Santa Claus holds court on the patio of Top O’ the Cove restaurant, 1216 Prospect St., La Jolla, Dec. 21-23 from 3 to 6 p.m., and Christmas Eve, 1 to 4 p.m. The Celebration Singers from La Jolla Presbyterian Church lead off the nightly 5 p.m. concerts on Dec. 20, followed by the San Diego Lutheran Chorale performing Dec. 21; female vocalists of Heritage Harmony singing Dec. 22 and Scripps Ranch Madrigal Singers on Dec. 23. On Christmas Eve, the City College Master Singers will harmonize from 3-4 p.m. Free admission. Information: (619) 454-7779.

Traditional Christmas music by the West Covina Chamber Orchestra and a children’s performance highlight a Christmas concert Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. at the West Covina Senior Citizens Center, 2501 E. Cortez St., West Covina. Admission: $5, children 12 and younger, $3. Gifts will be accepted for the children of Bienvenidos Foster Family Agency.