The trees are lit; now it’s time for the menorahs. The eight crazy nights of Hanukkah commence Tuesday, and there are festive lighting ceremonies all over town. Meanwhile, on Olvera Street, the story of Joseph and Mary’s search for an inn is recreated nightly through Christmas Eve. This is the week to celebrate all beliefs and cultures. The kids love it because no matter which direction they turn, a present is involved. It may also be time to check out some giving opportunities. There are many holiday gift drives. While our kids may need a little prompting when it comes to giving, children usually enjoy an opportunity to be benevolent, particularly if it involves choosing a cool toy.

We continue our series of posts on Gowanus with a roundup of places to play in the area, both indoors and outside. While this historically industrial neighborhood has only one major green space, Thomas Greene Playground, there are many drop-in indoor play spots, from traditional kiddie gyms to more offbeat rock climbing and robot havens. Here are our top 9 places to play with kids in Gowanus, Brooklyn.

Hanukkah is almost here! This year, it begins the evening of Tuesday, December 16th and ends the evening of Wednesday, December 24th. Here in New Jersey there are many Menorah Lightings and musical events that are fun for the whole family these next few days, so check one out and enjoy the Festival of Lights. Also, click here for more wonderful events in the Garden State as 2014 gradually comes to a close and we usher in a new year.

Because of a personal loss as well as some of the disturbing things going on in our city and country these days, I've been putting a lot of energy into making my family's holiday season feel even more special than usual (in between some tough conversations about grief and justice with my daughter). In addition to our annual traditions such as going to Macy's Santaland and seeing all the department store windows, we've been crossing things off our holiday bucket list, like enjoying tea with Santa at the Plaza and splurging on holiday spectacles like Cirque Ziva and the family opera Puss in Boots/El Gato con Botas.

Of course, you don't need to spend lots of money to make the season magical. This week, we wrote about no-cost ways to connect with Santa online and over the phone, shared a pair of inexpensive and easy-to-make holiday crafts, and posted slide shows of gloriously over-the-top holiday homes on Long Island, in Philly and Connecticut, all FREE to see.

In the market for a winter getaway? Our Travel site has a roundup of enticing vacation deals near and far, and a few are even valid during the upcoming school break.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and Chanukah as evidenced by the abundance of holiday happenings taking place in Westchester and the Hudson Valley! This weekend check out Frosty Fest, Holiday Spirit Festival, and SPARKLE: Nights of 10,000 Lights.

Make Holiday Decorations from Nature—perhaps some nice Winter Wildflower Arrangements--or for nature, as you Decorate a Tree for Wildlife. Enjoy the Hanukkah Celebration at RJCC, shop till you drop at the Chanukah Fun House and Gift Shop or take in the sounds of the season at Holiday Music and the Holiday of Christmas.

For a breather from the holidays, there’s the annual Toy and Train Show, Candy Bingo, a live performance of Curious George and NBA FIT Dribble, Dish & Swish.

Read on for just a few of the many happenings we’ve culled from our Event Calendar, then check out our December GOList for our top picks for the rest of the month. If you haven’t handed in your wish list yet, check out the best places to visit Santa in Westchester, and don’t miss our roundup of Chanukah events too!