2008 Holiday/Winter Faire

A RESPITE FROM HOLIDAY COMMERCIALISM
An Old-Fashioned Holiday Faire

The Waldorf School of the Peninsula (WSP) will be hosting its 23rd annual Holiday Faire from 10 AM – 5 PM on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 11311 Mora Drive, Los Altos, CA.  The event, with activities for children and adults, is based on centuries-old traditions and is steeped in beauty and reverence for the winter season.

“The Waldorf Holiday Faire embraces all cultures and beliefs in a truly festive non-commercial atmosphere.  It is a time to embrace the true meaning of the winter season – a time to reflect on inner warmth while outer reality is cold and rainy – and enjoy seasonal crafts and traditions with your family,” says Lynelle Sigona, Holiday Faire Coordinator.

A variety of hands-on activities are available to faire-goers including hand-dipping beeswax candles in a warmly decorated and meditative room, making wreaths, centerpieces, garland and candle holders with natural materials and decorating gingerbread cookies.   A truly unique activity is the Gnome Adventure where children crawl through a series of beautiful vignettes where gnomes, nature’s assistants, are shown hard at work in seasonal settings. At the end of the magical journey each child chooses a decorated cookie from the cookie house. There are also old-fashioned games of skill such as Treasure Mountain, Leap of Faith, Troll Bridge, Shoot for the Stars, Catapult Castle, Balance Challenge, Pillow Jousting, and Beanbag Bonanza for children to enjoy.  In a special “kids only” Elves Workshop, with the assistance of some grown-up helpers, children can make gifts for loved ones.  A puppet show, based on a traditional fairy tale, will also be performed for children.

Entertainment throughout the day will include African drumming, Morris and Folk Dancing and performances by Waldorf students.  Wholesome delicious food will be available in the café, and parking is free.

For those wishing to get some holiday shopping out of the way, an expanded school store offers hundreds of beautiful handmade and unique items for sale, including European wooden toys, knit scarves, shawls, felted purses, children’s books, books on parenting, art and craft supplies and one-of-kind dolls. The silent auction has an enticing variety of items such as exotic vacation packages, jewelry, gift baskets, toys and more.