I have a confession to make: I suffer from art anxiety. Although I've managed a few Wee Work projects with my kids (I highly recommend the Sharpie tie dye t-shirts), when it's time for serious crafting, I look for resources out of the home. Luckily, this holiday season in Fairfield County, there are all kinds of crafting workshops that suit all ages and price points. Here are some of my favorites:

California is home to several historical and architectural gifts, in the form of the Spanish Missions of California. Built in a period ranging from the mid 1700s through the mid 1800s, the Missions are a part of local history we can claim as our own and share with our children. Though the Missions host events throughout the year, Christmas offerings at these historic sites are sure to take your family's SoCal holiday activities to the next level; as nice as your neighborhood's holiday lights and nativity scenes are, it's tough to beat a 200 year-old setting.

It's beginning to look a lot like... well, you know. Over the past week, my daughter and I have been rushing around playing tourist, seeing all of NYC's iconic holiday sights like the spectacular department store holiday windows, various Santas and the illuminated tree at Rockefeller Center. We experienced that last one from the comfort of an MTA bus—we're not crazy enough to try to get close!

Since it's a new month, all of our sites have brand-new GOLists highlighting the absolute best things to do with kids throughout December in NYC, Westchester, New Jersey, Long Island and beyond. The sheer number of activities during the holidays can be overwhelming and we hope these carefully curated GOLists help your family plan your season so you don't miss the really special stuff.

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

It might be hard to believe, but the first weekend of December is already upon us! Holiday offerings filling up the calendar include the Festival of Trees in Wellesley, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and a Polar Express story hour in Boston, and a Menorah Workshop in Watertown. It's also an excellent chance to visit the Bay State Model Railroad Museum in Roslindale, which only opens its doors to the public twice a year.

In performances this weekend, families can catch King Midas at the Puppet Showplace Theatre in Brookline or The Velveteen Rabbit in Beverly. Karen K and the Jitterbugs shake things up at a family concert in Brookline, and of course, there's still plenty of time to see one of the local Nutcracker performances.

Also on Mommy Poppins this week:

• Use our December GO List to help you plan must-do activities for this busy time of year.
• We share where to catch Santa Claus, everyone's favorite jolly old elf.
• Our roundup of Hanukkah celebrations has tons of great activities for families to celebrate the Holiday of Lights.
• Perhaps best of all, you can narrow down the best budget-friendly, festive options with our list of free holiday activities.
• Young kids will love the Easy Story Stones activity in our Wee Work Craft.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check out the full events events calendar!

'Tis the season for all to be merry and bright! Festivities and activities are yours for the taking beginning this weekend across Long Island. Live holiday theater, luminous light shows, breakfasts, brunches and skating with Santa, old-fashioned holiday decor and much more. And if that isn't enough for your family, be sure to check out our Long Island Holiday Guide for tons of activities to do this season.

Don't see your event listed here? Add it to our events calendar. And if you don't receive this post in your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter.

Oh, it's here all right. De one and only December, with nonstop boat-parading, breakfasting, nutcracking, bright-lighting goodness. There's only one story this month, and whether it's told with a ho ho ho, a bah humbug, or a "pass the latkes," it's all about raking in the gift-wrapped goodies. (And helping our fellow man. That's in there, too.)

Mother Nature has been doing her part to set the seasonal tone. If you call soggy "seasonal." (I don't.) Luckily, Los Angeles offers plenty of ways to feel the true chill of Winter (snow and everything!).

Not everything is Santa this weekend: there's a Special Needs Resources Fair that comes with a free day at the Zimmer, the Grand Re-Opening of Kidseum, CicLAvia in South LA, a Sand Snowman contest, Santa in a firetruck, Santa in scuba gear, Santa swimming with the sharks... Ah, who am I kidding?  It's Santa Santa Santa.  And one Duck.

Keep reading for our most seasonal picks for the weekend. 

Every year I think there will be a quiet post-Thanksgiving period before Christmas craziness sets in, but this year in particular it seemed that my family was talking about Christmas festivities before we'd even polished off the leftovers!

Fortunately, we here at Mommy Poppins have the lowdown on the multitude of holiday activities throughout Connecticut so we can help you plan ahead in order to make the most of this activity-packed season. Take a look at our December Go List and Holiday Fun Guide, and then be sure to check our guides to Top 25 Santa Activities and Nutcracker Ballet Performances in Fairfield County so that you can get tickets before it's too late. If you're planning to begin the hunt for a Christmas tree this weekend, we have the 411 on Cut-Your-Own-Christmas Tree Farms in Hartford and Litchfield Counties.

Without further ado, here are our suggestions for the upcoming weekend! 

Personalized gifts are so whimsical and fun; especially if you have a unique name. This holiday season, nab the special children in your life a personalized gift, such as a water bottle, hat, step stool, or even a toy chest. Below is a list of really fun shops that can help you select a name-adorned item kids will cherish. And don't forget to view our family-friendly 25 Best Things to Do in New Jersey for the Holidays list as you prep for end of year festivities.