Santa Paws at Capalaba Produce
When: Thursday, December 6 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm; Thursday, December 13 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm; Thursday, December 20 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm
What: Dogs and owners can get their photo taken with Santa to raise money for Redlands charity Night Ninjas.
Capalaba Produce chief executive officer Nicholas Walls said he was excited to see the community get into the festive spirit and create awareness for a great cause.
“Santa Paws will be a fun way to get your pets involved in the Christmas spirit while fighting homelessness in the area,” Mr Walls said.
“It’s such a great time of year to give back, and for customers to be able to get a photo of their dog with Santa, and help an important charity, I think it’s amazing.”
Bookings: Are essential and can be made via capalabaproduce.com.au/santa-paws-2018/
Cost: $20
Christmas Family Night at Bunnings
When: Thursday, December 6 at Bunnings Warehouse Capalaba and Victoria Point from 6pm to 8pm.
What: Bunnings Warehouse Capalaba and Victoria Point will celebrate the festive season at their annual Christmas family night. The free community event provides an opportunity for families to come together for a fun-filled night of arts and crafts, games, DIY workshops and light refreshments.
Kids will have the chance to meet Santa and write their Christmas wish-list. Bunnings team members will also host DIY workshops, providing tips on how to create thoughtful and affordable gifts for loved ones this Christmas.
For information: Visit bunnings.com.au/stores.
Send letters to Santa
When: Before December 14, to give Santa time to reply
What: Children can write to Santa and receive a reply before Christmas Day. There is also a large print service for families with children who have low vision.
Santa Mail is a way for children to practise their letter writing skills, and parents can show kids how to address, stamp and post a letter.
There is also an interactive online tracker to follow progress of the letter, and Christmas activities on the Santa Mail website.
Send festive letters to Santa, North Pole, 9999 with a 65c Christmas stamp on the front of the envelope and your name and return address on the back so Santa knows where to send his reply.
Parents and children who have low vision can opt-in to receive a large text reply from Santa by sending their letters to: Santa Mail (large text) North Pole, 9999.
Santa Mail letters can be placed in any dedicated Santa Mail box or red street post box.
Free Santa Mail postcards are available at participating post offices.
For more information: auspost.com.au/santamail
Christmas fundraiser
When: Until December 15
What: Aussie Cleveland with Stocklands Cleveland, Bay FM and the Redland City Council are running a food drive from November 30 until December 15. Aussie Cleveland plans to build a Christmas tree from the donated bags in the window of their store.
For: Oz Harvest who supports the local community through the Redland Community Centre.
Where: The collection point is the Aussie Cleveland store, Shop 18, 91 Middle Street, Cleveland.
Redlands Evening VIEW Club Christmas stall
When: Friday, December 7 from 8am to 1pm
Where: Corner Bloomfield and Middle streets, Cleveland
What: Fill your Christmas pantry and stockings with handcrafted gifts, cakes, biscuits and slices, including Bow Wow dog biscuits, as well as children's clothing, craft, books and plants. Sales raise money to educate five Aussie school children in The Smith Family's Learning For Life program.
Christmas by Starlight
When: Saturday, December 15 from 3pm to 8.30pm
Where: Norm Price Park, Redland Showgrounds
What: The line-up includes Australia’s Casey Donovan, Brazilian soprano Carmen Monarcha, rising star Luke Antony and Alexa Curtis. The carols evening will be led by musical director, pianist and composer John Foreman. There will be activities for children, the Starlight Express will shuttle guests around the event and all rides are free. The event will end with a fireworks finale from about 8.15pm.
Cost: Entry is free but gold coin donations will support programs combating domestic and family violence in the Redlands. There will be food, drink and merchandise stalls at the event.
For information: redland.qld.gov.au/cbs
Sylvan Woods Aged Care Christmas Spirit Stall
When: Wednesday, December 19 from 10.30am to noon.
Where: 500 Old Cleveland Road East, Birkdale.
What: Residents and staff are hosting a Christmas stall and morning tea to raise money for cancer.
Cost: Free entry.
Petbarn Foundation Tree of Hope Appeal
When: Until Monday, December 24
What: Limited edition $15 Christmas toys or $3, $5 and $10 Christmas decorations can be bought to hang on the Tree of Hope in support of animal welfare groups. Greencross Vets Capalaba are also accepting donations as part of the appeal.
Donations will go to the RSPCA, Cat Haven and other national partners, while 20 per cent from each store will go to a local charity. The foundation hopes to raise $1 million through the appeal.
Cleveland store manager Rebecca Gardiner said there were thousands of animals in Australia in need of love and a family every Christmas.
“We hope that, with the support and kindness of the nation, we will raise much needed funds to save the lives of many more animals in need across Australia,” Ms Gardiner said.
“The simple act of purchasing a Tree of Hope Christmas decoration at your local Petbarn store helps animal welfare organisations care for shelter pets waiting for their forever home.
“The generous contribution of the Redland City community will give these animals the chance to put a better paw forward ahead of the new year.”
Petbarn stores are at Capalaba, Cleveland and Victoria Point.
For information: petbarn.com.au/treeofhope