Why not teach the teen to cook?

Fashion Valley

Practice and prepare for your holiday meals with hands-on cooking classes featuring instruction on classic dishes and treats from prime rib to eggnog, and from snowflake sugar cookies to mini snowman cupcakes. Or try your hand at holiday tapas, holiday brunch, or decadent chocolates. Holiday cooking and baking camps also available for kids and teens.

Apple pie, Santa

Julian

The town of Julian’s holiday spirit is alive and kicking in the month of December. Pick up your holiday decor, plus gifts, and treats in the downtown shops. On Saturdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., you can shop and dine to the music of wandering Julian carolers. Also, on Saturdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., catch a living nativity scene at the Julian Cider Mill. On Friday, December 1, join Santa at the Town Hall from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. or catch him for breakfast at the Pine Hills Lodge on Sunday the 14th (reservations required). Don’t forget to stop by the Julian Pie Company for some Dutch Apple pie with cinnamon ice cream.

Serve seniors

Get in the spirit of giving by volunteering your time on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The nonprofit organization Serving Seniors seeks volunteers to serve meals during two seatings on both holidays. Meals will begin at 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., but volunteers are asked to come early to receive their assigned tasks.

Ultimate Santa Run

2455 Cushing Road, Liberty Station

Don your red suit and join thousands of others in their Santa suits and beards as you walk, jog, or boogie through this festive 5K run. The event features milk and cookies along the course, holiday music, falling snow, Santa dances, photo opportunities, a toy drive, and more. Bring a personalized tree ornament to hang on the tree. Saturday, December 13, 8:00 to 10:30 a.m.

Give blood instead

Even if you’re feeling bah-humbug about the commercialism of the holidays, you can still give. This year, why not give blood instead of stuff? It’s red, right? And it costs you no green. (Sorry.) The holidays are a great time to give blood because regular donors tend to drop off while hospitals remain busy. The San Diego Blood Bank operates six local blood banks and ten bloodmobiles, and one donation can save up to three lives. If that ain’t merry, then nothing is.