Durango Parks and Recreation has several openings in the Kid’s Days Childcare Program during the holiday break.  Kid’s Days activities include ice skating at Chapman Hill, gymnastics at the Mason Center, swimming at the Recreation Center, craft projects, lots of games and much more!  These supervised activities keep your child(ren) safe, happy and entertained during the holidays.

Check out the Park and Recreation Winter Activities Guide for more information about these and many more great programs.  Sign up today at the Recreation Center, Mason Center or Chapman Hill or online at www.durangogov.org.  For more information on these great programs, contact the Durango Community Recreation Center at 375-7300.

 I think one positive effect of the Great Recession is it has moved us away from a strictly consumerist model of giving. Gifts, it seems, are becoming more modest but more heartfelt. I know that I’m late in the game, but I haven’t given up on the idea of giving homemade gifts, most likely something edible, for Christmas. I’d love suggestions from you, dear readers. What have you given and people loved? Or thoughts on giving in general is these hard economic times?

“Santa’s elves will check the box on a daily basis and deliver the letters to Santa!” a news release from the city states. ”Remember to include a return address on the letter, so Santa can send a response.”

Letters must be placed in the mailbox by Friday, Dec. 20. For additional information, contact the rec center front desk  at 375-7300.

Here’s some suggestions from Treehugger:

Skunk: Wear a black turtleneck and tights and paste a white strip down the back.

Spider: Wear a black leotard and tights and attach four extra sets of “legs” — tights stuffed with paper.

Ragdoll: Wear a sleeper with patches, a stocking cap, rosy cheeks and freckles.

Jack in the Box: Wear bright tights and shirt. Attach a brightly painted box with a crank.

Here’s some more from Parents magazine:

Pac-Man: Use a black pillowcase and paint pen to draw the maze. Cut out felt ghosts as the obstacles and wear a yellow hat.

Zombie: Tear strips from an old white sheet and sewed them onto a t-shirt and pants.

Scuba Diver: Make flippers out of foam or paper to hide your shoes and add two empty soda bottles for your air canisters.

Robot: Cut head and arm holes in a cardboard box. Paint the box silver and adorn with random electrical items. Use dryer venting for arms. Cover a construction worker hat with aluminum foil. Wear a gray turtleneck, sweatpants, shoes, etc.

Chocolate Chip Cookie: Make a circle out of felt, leaving leg and arm holes. Cut out smaller circles from the dark brown to make the “chips” and attach with fabric glue.

Crayon: Use a colored pillowcase and draw the logo on with black fabric paint. Wear pants and shirt of same color.

Golfer: Wear an argyle sweater vest, cap, knickers. Carry a real or fake club.

Thomas the Tank Engine: Use cardboard boxes, paper towel rolls and other containers to create the body. Wear overalls underneath and add an engineer cap. (see picture)

Little Bo Peep: Wear an Easter dress with a bonnet and cane.

Curious George & The Man in the Yellow Hat: One sibling is George, the other is The Man in the Yellow Hat.

Mad Scientist: Wear a lab-coat with colored, spiked hair, oversize black glasses and a loosely knotted tie.

Rock Star: Channel your inner Hannah Montana.

Zookeeper: Combine khakis and stuffed animals.

Construction Worker: Wear a hard-hat, tool belt, etc.

Care to share some other ideas?