kids • life
TUSCALOOSA ’ S FAMILY MAGAZINE
PUBLISHED BY Kids Life Magazine , LLC P . O . Box 2372 , Tuscaloosa , AL 35403
email : info @ kidslifemagazine . com www . KidsLifeMagazine . com Facebook . com / kidslifemagazine Twitter : @ kidslifemag Instagram : kidslifemag
PUBLISHER Kitty Collins
ASSISTANT EDITOR Diana Barrett
DISTRIBUTION Mary Jane Turner
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Larry Deavers Dave Ramsey
On Our Cover ...
The Tuscaloosa Community Dancers presents The Nutcracker December 7-10 at the Bama Theatre .
Shown on the cover are our Clara ’ s and Fritz ( left to right ): Marleigh Campbell ( role of Clara ) CeCe Hanley ( role of Fritz ) Brylee Meissner ( role of Clara )
Photo credit : Michael J . Moore
Features ... kids • life
FREE
SHOP LOCAL Gift Idea Guide
TUSCALOOSA ’ S FAMILY MAGAZINE
A MAGICAL JOURNEY AWAITS :
TUSCALOOSA COMMUNITY DANCERS ’ THE NUTCRACKER
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023
2023 GUIDE TO TUSCALOOSA HOLIDAY EVENTS
ADVERTISING Kitty Collins
SUBSCRIPTIONS Kids Life Magazine is available free throughout the Tuscaloosa area . Subscriptions are available for your convenience . Please send $ 12 for one year to the above address .
NEXT DEADLINE Ad deadline for the January / February issue is Wednesday , December 6 , 2023 .
Kids Life Magazine is published every other month . Reproduction of any part of this publication without written permission of the publisher is prohibited . The publisher is not responsible for incorrect information . The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts . Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information , products or services . The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing which is not in keeping with the publications standards .
May your Christmas be full of moments together . ~ Kitty
Say No Without Feeling Guilty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Dave Says . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 A Magical Journey Awaits : The Nutcracker . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 SHOP LOCAL : Holiday Gift Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 2023 Guide to Holiday Events in Tuscaloosa . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Dear Readers …
Here we are , in the home stretch of 2023 ! With this final issue of the year , it ’ s always such a joy to highlight so many festive family-friendly activities and events happening in our community over the holiday season . From the Tuscaloosa Community Dancers ’ annual production of The Nutcracker to the West Alabama Christmas Parade , to Holidays on the Plaza , and of course …. our sponsoring retailers ’ open houses and special events with Santa .
We love taking every opportunity to showcase a sampling of the fabulous selection of gifts for those on your list found right here locally in our 2023 Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide . Remember as you are making your lists this year , that choosing to shop local and support small businesses right here in Tuscaloosa and Northport benefits our community in so many ways . Not only will you receive much more personalized service in finding those “ just right ” gifts but your support enables many of them to turn around and invest in organizations doing some amazing things around the world !
Did you know ... “ Pink Friday ” is an annual event each November with one mission : SUPPORT SMALL FIRST ( before black Friday & before the big guys ). Let ’ s support our small , local businesses throughout the year but especially for this season ’ s Pink Friday on November 17th .
I hope you and your family enjoy every moment you ’ re able to spend together during this holiday season !
Isaiah 9:6 : “ For to us a child is born , to us a son is given , and the government will be on his shoulders . And he will be called Wonderful Counselor , Mighty God , Everlasting Father , Prince of Peace .”