Winter Break Holiday Programs
For Preschool–Teens & Their Families
December 11th - 23rd 2026
About Holiday Programs
at Christianne’s Lyceum
Celebrating traditions of the past, present, and future
The good things in life are recounting memories and creating experiences, and this is what the holiday season is all about. As we continue to grow traditions in the Lyceum’s new home, we look forward to an exciting new chapter in our twentieth year of operation. Let’s celebrate together!
About Christianne’s Lyceum
Christianne’s Lyceum is a centre that celebrates literature and art and puts it at the heart of family and community life. Through programs that emphasise making connections between literature and what’s going on in the outside world, the Lyceum encourages young people to see themselves as readers, writers and artists, as they engage with abstract ideas and reflect on their place in society. Armed with these experiences, students begin to seek possibilities and explore ways that they can use their voices and actions to participate in their communities.
The Lyceum is a cozy living room, a specialized library, a well-equipped studio and a whimsical art gallery bound up in one. It’s a place that brings together writers, illustrators, educators and families to share diverse ways of making meaning, different schools of thought, and the richness of story in its many forms.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions for our programs are guidelines only. If your child is interested in a program that is aimed at a slightly older or slightly younger age group, please give us a call to discuss if this class would be a good fit.
Program Details
In each holiday program children will be invited to decorate a gluten-free homemade cookie and delight in stories from Christianne's extraordinary holiday book collection.
Craft and Chat:
A teen circle for chatting and crafting
Ages: 10++
Time: Friday, December 11, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Cost: $76.5 + GST (3 hours)
Last year we launched a monthly craft and chat series on Friday evenings. The aim was to create a safe space for teens to gather and enjoy vibrant conversation while they craft. We’re dedicating the December session to gift making! It will be an opportunity for teens to share their rants, excitements and anxieties around the holidays, while creating gifts for others.
We’ll focus on the art of print making; from sketching initial designs, to seeing their carvings evolve, before gliding rollers of vibrantly coloured paint across their surface. Students can work on creating multi-coloured, multi-layered prints to frame and give as gifts, or greetings cards for acquaintances both near and far.
Whether it’s for a friend’s birthday, a token for a family member to let them know they’re special, or a memento of your time spent at the Lyceum, the possibilities are endless.
Kinusaiga
Ages: 6++
Time: Saturday, December 12th, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $127.5+ GST (5 hours)
Kinusaiga, an intricate Japanese textile art form, translates loosely to “silk picture”, a name as delicate as the art itself.
To set the scene, Christianne will share a reading of Allen Say’s The Tree of Cranes, before inviting the group into a conversation about what it means to spend a significant part of our lives in another country, and to carry the traditions, memories and customs of that place with us when we return. Together, we’ll explore how these traditions find new roots in the places we call home, and how we continue to honour the parts of ourselves shaped by somewhere else
Inspired by the bonsai tree adorned with delicate paper cranes in our story, students will create their own framed landscapes using the art of Kinusaiga. They’ll begin by drawing their landscapes, carving the designs into foam, and carefully pressing fabric into the grooves to bring their compositions to life; painting with fabric rather than traditional media.
The meditative nature of this art form invites students to slow down, find a little stillness, and leave with a sense of calm they can carry home with them.
Dungeons & Dragons:
A Solstice Adventure
Ages: 10++
Time: Sunday, December 13th, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: $153 + GST (6 hours )
The holidays are the time of year when we stop long enough to share stories of the year past. This season the Lyceum invites you to share a story through the lens of Dungeons and Dragons. Join our resident DM and explore a story yet untold for a full day.
As the solstice draws closer, the veil between worlds grows thin allowing for any number of odd sorts to cross over. Fae, ghosts, or even ancient gods may have their chance for chaos and only our heroes can bar the gate.
This game will be split over two sessions with an intermission of sorts to shake out the pins and needles before returning with rapt attention. While D&D is for everyone, due to the time limitations of this program, we are calling for experienced players. By this, we mean players who are familiar with the rules of the game and who have already created their own character. This will help smooth out the start of the day and allow us more time to play.
The Twelve Days of Christmas:
Piggyback carol and book making
Ages: 3 to 5
Cost: $153 (2 mornings, 3 hours each)
Monday, December 14th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Wednesday, December 16th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM
If you have a preschooler who is looking to get in on the holiday merriment, we’re offering a two day drop-in option during the last week of the fall term Preschool Literature and Art class. We’ll be rifting off The Twelve Days of Christmas to create brand new lyrics written and illustrated by your preschoolers.
On Monday we'll write funny lines (scribed of course) and start our canvas board illustrations and on Wednesday we will finish and begin printing. Coil-bound copies will be available for pick up on Friday in time for the holidays. We guarantee that you will want to order a few copies for the grandparents!
Bringing Back What the Grinch Stole
Ages: 7++
Time: Monday, December 14th, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Cost: $51 + GST (2 hours)
It’s a story that captivates from ages 9 to 99; the tale of a miserly being who lives a life of solitude in the snow capped mountains of Whoville is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago. We’ll spend an evening together reminding ourselves that the true holiday spirit lies in celebrating festivities with the people we love.
Christianne will read excerpts of the book, talking through the morals behind Dr Seuss’s masterpiece. Using the movie as our soundtrack, we’ll break from reading to create our very own tree skirts to dress our grinch-inspired trees. We’ll dive into the Lyceum’s catalogue of fabric and embellishments to make everyone’s vision come to life.
Of course we’ll break for a festive snack part way through to fuel our creativity, before embarking on a mission to make as many miniatures as possible for the town of Whoville.
Whether you’re hoping to replenish the Grinch’s stolen gifts or set the table for a veritable feast, if you can dream it up, we can make the magic happen.
Holiday Harmony (perfect for Home Learners)
Ages: 5 to 14
Time: Tuesday, December 15th, 10:00 AM to 3:00PM
Cost: $127.5 + GST (5 hours)
Exciting details coming soon! Please check back here!
Christmas Cork Crafts
Ages: 7++
Time: Tuesday, December 15th, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cost: $102 + GST (4 hours)
At the Lyceum, we believe there’s a little magic in making something out of what we already have. Whenever we find ourselves with a surplus, we get creative, experiment, and research until the perfect purpose reveals itself. This year, we find ourselves with a rather generous donated collection of corks, and we’ve dreamt up a festive way to put them to good use.
Join us for a pizza dinner (or a packed dinner for those who are not pizza lovers) and an evening of upcycling as we transform humble corks into charming holiday welcome decorations and whimsical little gnomes, complete with beaded heads. A little imagination, a few corks, and a sprinkling of holiday cheer are all we need.
Candle Making
Ages: 7++
Time: Wednesday, December 16th, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cost: $107 + GST (4 hours)
The therapeutic nature of candle making can never be underestimated. There lies so much importance in connecting with materials through our hands so for this camp we’ll spend the evening together exploring this enduring craft.
Using sheets of coloured beeswax, each student will have the opportunity to form spirals or swirls, roll tapers or dip, to create a library of beautifully bright burners for the holidays.
After refueling with pizza (or a packed dinner for those who are not pizza lovers), campers may choose to embellish their work, adding the final touches that will really make them sing. We’ll be accompanied by festive tunes, and with expert guidance everyone will go home with an array of things that make them proud.
Whether presented as a gift to the host of a family holiday gathering, or enjoyed each day over the festive period, these adorable mindings cheer the darkest of spaces.
Mosaic Wreaths
Ages: 8++
Time: Thursday, December 17th, 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Cost: $124.75 + GST (4.5 hours)
Exciting details coming soon! Please check back here!
Holiday Sleepover
AGES: 10++
Time: Friday, December 18th to Saturday, December 19th, 2026
December 18th 5:00 PM to 19th 10:30 AM
Cost: $180 + GST (17.5 hours of sleep over for you)
Exciting details coming soon! Please check back here!
Granny Blake’s Toffee:
A 170 year old tradition
Ages: 10++
Time: Saturday, December 19th, 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Cost: $114.75 + GST (4.5 hours)
Loved by all and attended by many over the years, this camp allows participants to delve into the annals of Lyceum tradition. The secret recipe for Granny Blake’s toffee was brought to Canada 116 years ago by Christianne’s great grandmother, Amy Chappel, and has been made by her family ever since. Amy’s mother learned to make the delectable sweet from her grandmother.
Now’s your chance to join us for a camp that our students beg to attend every year. With an hour to stir, an hour to cut and an hour to wrap, there’s still plenty of time to hear a story. We’ll also package our confection in small portions ready for you to give to friends throughout the season. Tastes have the ability to transform, taking us back to the moment we experienced them for the first time. We hope that each piece of toffee melts away the bad, and welcomes in the good.
(Shhhh...you also get to take home the coveted recipe.)
Me to We
Ages: 5 - 12
Time: Sunday, December 20th, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $127.5 + GST (5 hours)
Exciting details coming soon! Please check back here!
Holiday Stories and Ornament Making
Ages: 6++ (A great activity for families)
Time: Sunday, December 20th, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cost: $76.5 + GST (3 hours)
The joy of the holidays is contagious, it’s one of the most magical aspects of childhood, something that keeps that light burning when the frost settles and the nights draw in. This camp is the fast infusion of festive cheer you crave all year long. Master storyteller, Christianne will regale participants with her favourite traditional holiday stories from different cultures -- all you have to do is cradle a hot cranberry cider, nibble on shortbread cookies and freshly popped popcorn as you settle in for the evening.
While listening students will have time to create unique tree ornaments that will sparkle amidst the long dark evenings.
Help the Faeries Get Ready for Solstice:
Sparkles and Twinkles Abound
Ages: 5 to 12
Time: Monday, December 21st, 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Cost: $153 + GST (6 hours)
There will always be a special space reserved for the Lyceum’s resident Fae in our holiday camp roster. It seems even more significant after last year’s big move, but our loyal followers made sure that no Fae were left behind, creating pathways of moon lights and tiny maps on hedge tops that led to the new, and now beautifully established, moss garden.
Over the course of the day, we will experience an abundance of enthusiasm, as well as some expert insight into recent activity in the Lyceum’s faerie garden. Stories of our resident Fae is a “Christianne specialty.” Campers will craft a show-stopping Solstice resting circle mounted on ceramic tile. Each camper will make an embellished pillar candle, from local beeswax to nestle inside a safety votive as the centre of this gathering spot Next we will create woven garlands from cedar cuttings and twinkle lights to create an outside ring of light.
Stopping for lunch (and a spot of tea) students will swap creative ideas, perhaps taking inspiration from the group for those carefully considered finishing touches and faerie furniture.
There is something so heartwarming about renewing our commitment to honouring imagination that is so deeply woven throughout both our city, and our Lyceum community.
Get Ready for the New Year
Ages: 6 - 14
Time: Tuesday, December 22, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $153 + GST (6 hours)
Exciting details coming soon! Please check back here!
Snap, Cracker, Pop!
Holiday Crackers for the Family Table
Ages: 6++
Time: Tuesday, December 22nd, 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Cost: $89.25 + GST (3.5hours)
The gifts nestled inside today’s crackers are at most an inexpensive plastic figure, a paper hat and a joke. As things become more expensive, we want to return to the days of old and elevate the humble, but enduring Christmas cracker.
Kicking things up a notch, we’ll spend the evening making our very own handmade gifts using treasures found in the extensive resource bank of the Lyceum. This could be anything from a miniature sculpted character from your camper’s favourite book, a piece of beach glass transformed into jewellery, or a tiny story rolled in a teeny tiny bottle. Of course we’ll nestle in hats, fortunes and a snapper!
We’ll decorate our vessels (maximum of 8 crackers) in whatever way you’d like, with the only limitation being your creativity. These are best shared around a festive table with loved ones!
The Night Tree:
An enduring Lyceum tradition
Ages: All ages/family
Time: Wednesday, December 23nd , 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost: $140.25 + GST (5.5 hours)
A Lyceum institution, the Night Tree activity is one we have practised every year since we opened our doors!
Have you ever counted the number of holiday tree stories? Christianne has 37 in her personal collection, from all faiths and from all over the world. She’ll share a selection of these throughout the day, beginning with Night Tree by Eve Bunting, and The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco, both stories of selfless giving during the holidays.
We’ll spend the morning making our own special ornaments to adorn trees at home and after a break to nibble on lunch while listening to festive tunes, we’ll move on to something equally exciting. We’ll create edible ornaments for our forest creature friends and finally journey down to a hidden nook in Trimble park. Here we’ll end the day by decorating the tree with tasty morsels for birds. squirrels and mice and begin singing carols by candlelight (including a Lyceum themed jingle).
*A wonderful way to wind down with loved ones, before things get really busy.
