Friday, Dec. 5

• Make a difference | Support the Red Cross and help patients in need by donating blood at the Meramec Valley Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 1501 San Simeon Way, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donors may be 16-years-old with parental consent or 17-years-old and up. All donors must present a photo ID. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments will take priority. Please visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to register.
• Get your workout in | SAJE Senior Ministry is hosting chair exercises at 10:30 a.m. at Concord Trinity United Methodist Church, 5275 S. Lindbergh Blvd. Admission is $5 and SilverSneakers is accepted.
• Get your workout in | SAJE Senior Ministry is hosting ZumbaGold at 11:30 a.m. at Concord Trinity United Methodist Church, 5275 S. Lindbergh Blvd. Admission is $5.
• Play pickleball | The Affton Community Center, 9801 Mackenzie Road, is hosting open pickleball from noon – 1:30 p.m. and 1:45 – 3:15 p.m. Admission is $3 per person or free for Renew Active and SilverSneakers members. Reservations start Monday at 8 a.m. by calling 314-615-8822.
• Celebrate the holidays | The Missouri History Museum will present a program titled “Food of Holidays Past” at the Cliff Cave Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 5430 Telegraph Road, from 2 – 3 p.m. Using menus from the Missouri Historical Society Collections, this presentation explores the food traditions of holidays past. From hotels and clubs to cafes and department stores, we’ll look at what Christmas and New Year’s Eve tasted like in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Join in worship | There will be a Holy Hour for priestly and religious vocations from 7 – 8 p.m. at the Monastery of St. Clare, 200 Marycrest Drive.
• Celebrate the holidays | The Shrewsbury Parks and Recreation Department invites residents and visitors to kick off the holiday season at Shrewsbury: It’s Home for the Holidays, Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Shrewsbury City Center (5200 Shrewsbury Ave). This event begins at 6:30 p.m. and is free to the public. Enjoy hot cocoa, treats and festive holiday music. The highlight of the night arrives at 7 p.m., when Santa makes a grand entrance to help light up the trees. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation in support of Mayors for Meals with the St. Louis Food Bank.

Saturday, Dec. 6

• Go shopping | Shop at a flea market put on by the Affton-Lemay Chamber of Commerce. This free admission event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Affton Community Center, 9801 McKenzie Road. It costs $25 to be a vendor, and vendors should register by calling 314-615-8822.
• It’s playtime | Have fun building with LEGOs at the Oak Bend Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 842 S. Holmes Ave. This event will take place from 10 – 11 a.m., and it is intended for children ages 5-12. LEGOs will be provided.
• Celebrate the holidays | Join Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Road, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for A Spirited Holiday Past. President Grant’s home, White Haven, will be decorated for the holiday season. Tour the home and create a holiday craft with your family. Guitarist Pattrick Rafferty will perform 19th-century holiday tunes in the parlor and Suzanne Corbett will provide 19th-century baking demonstrations in the historic stone kitchen.
• Celebrate the holidays | Enjoy story time and puppet show, a visit with Santa in the Victorian parlor and a home-baked cookie from Mrs. Claus at the Oakland House, 7801 Genesta Street, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is $7 per person.
• Play pickleball | The Affton Community Center, 9801 Mackenzie Road, is hosting open pickleball from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 1:15 – 3:15 p.m. Admission is $3 per person or free for Renew Active and SilverSneakers members. Reservations start Monday at 8 a.m. by calling 314-615-8822.
• Celebrate the holidays | This week’s Saturday Explorers program will be a holiday celebration at the Weber Road Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 4444 Weber Road, from 2 – 3 p.m. This program is recommended for adults with developmental/cognitive disabilities.
• Celebrate the holidays | The St. Louis Metro Singers are coming to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 127 St. Paul Street, Columbia, Illinois, at 7 p.m. for a holiday show, titled, “How Great Our Joy!” This concert is free admission.

Sunday, Dec. 7

• Join in worship | Beginning at 7:30 a.m., there will be an All-Day Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the Monastery of St. Clare, 200 Marycrest Drive. You may receive the special plenary indulgence by praying at the monastery. The day will conclude with an evening prayer with the sisters and a benediction at 4:30 p.m.
• Join in worship | Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 3600 Hampton Ave., has worship recorded and streamed every Sunday from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. on Facebook and YouTube and in person.
• Celebrate the holidays | The St. Louis Metro Singers are coming to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish, 4900 Ringer Road, at 3 p.m. for a holiday show, titled “How Great Our Joy!” This concert is free admission.
• Join in worship | Embrace Church, 314 S. Clay Ave., worships at 6 p.m. Zoom option available.
• Celebrate the holidays | Enjoy story time and puppet show, a visit with Santa in the Victorian parlor and a home-baked cookie from Mrs. Claus at the Oakland House, 7801 Genesta Street, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is $7 per person.

Monday, Dec. 8

• It’s playtime | Explore songs, finger plays, music and more at the Oak Bend Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 842 S. Holmes Ave. from 10 – 11 a.m. The Music and Movement program is meant for children ages 0-6.
• Play pickleball | The Affton Community Center, 9801 Mackenzie Road, is hosting open pickleball from noon – 1:30 p.m. and 1:45 – 3:15 p.m. Admission is $3 per person or free for Renew Active and SilverSneakers members. Reservations start Monday at 8 a.m. by calling 314-615-8822.
• Get crafty | The Weber Road Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 4444 Weber Road, invites adults to Craft Hour from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. This month, you will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of ideas and paint an object.

Tuesday, Dec. 9

• Connect with others | The Take-Off Pounds Assembly meets from 9 – 10 a.m. at 824 Union Road.
• Get your workout in | SAJE Senior Ministry is hosting chair exercises at 10:30 a.m. at Concord Trinity United Methodist Church, 5275 S. Lindbergh Blvd. Admission is free.
• Get your workout in | SAJE Senior Ministry is hosting ZumbaGold at 11:30 a.m. at Concord Trinity United Methodist Church, 5275 S. Lindbergh Blvd. Admission is $5.
• Play pinochle | A small, local group of pinochle players meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Village at McKenzie Place (EverTrue), 8520 McKenzie Road. Anyone who knows how to play is welcome to join this group of “great people playing for fun.”
• Play pickleball | The Affton Community Center, 9801 Mackenzie Road, is hosting open pickleball from noon – 1:30 p.m. and 1:45 – 3:15 p.m. Admission is $3 per person or free for Renew Active and SilverSneakers members. Reservations start Monday at 8 a.m. by calling 314-615-8822.
• Celebrate the holidays | The entire family can work together to create a fun, make-and-take craft — mitten wreaths — from 6 – 7 p.m. at the Oak Bend Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 842 S. reHolmes Ave. This event is for families with children ages 3-12, and registration is required. Visit slcl.org/events for more information.
• Connect with others | GriefShare meets at 6:30 p.m. at Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens, 8749 Watson Road.

Wednesday, Dec. 10

• Connect with others | Join other veterans at “Veterans Coffee Talk” hosted at American Legion Post 162, 9305 S. Broadway Street, at 9 a.m. every Wednesday. Conducted by Saint Louis Vets Connect, “Veterans Coffee Talk” was created so veterans can enjoy the brotherhood shared by all branches of service, providing a non-political atmosphere where their stories and valor can be shared. Free donuts and coffee – and occasionally breakfast – will be provided.
• Celebrate the holidays | Perennial presents a program titled Sustainable Gift Wrapping. Learn eco-friendly alternatives to traditional gift wrapping, focusing on using recycled, reusable and natural materials. Practice techniques like Furoshiki (Japanese cloth wrapping), and make creative embellishments using natural elements on gifts. This program will take place at the Weber Road Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 4444 Weber Road, from 10 – 11 a.m. Registration is required. Visit slcl.org/events for more information.
• Celebrate the holidays | Enjoy story time and puppet show, a visit with Santa in the Victorian parlor and a home-baked cookie from Mrs. Claus at the Oakland House, 7801 Genesta Street, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is $7 per person. Reservations are required for weekdays.
• Connect with others | The Rotary Club of Crestwood and Sunset Hills meets at the Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 S. Lindbergh Blvd., at noon.
• Play pickleball | The Affton Community Center, 9801 Mackenzie Road, is hosting open pickleball from noon – 1:30 p.m. and 1:45 – 3:15 p.m. Admission is $3 per person or free for Renew Active and SilverSneakers members. Reservations start Monday at 8 a.m. by calling 314-615-8822.
• Connect with others | The Kiwanis Club of South County meets at 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. at Frailey’s Southtown Grill, 4329 Butler Hill Road.
• Connect with others | South County Toastmasters meets at 6:30 p.m. at the Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 S. Lindbergh Blvd.

Thursday, Dec. 11

• It’s playtime | Head to the Meramec Valley Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 1501 San Simeon Way, for Lap Time from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. There will be stories, songs and play time to help develop early literacy skills for children ages 0-24 months
• Play pickleball | The Affton Community Center, 9801 Mackenzie Road, is hosting open pickleball from 9:30 – 11:45 a.m., noon – 1:30 p.m. and 1:45 – 3:15 p.m. Admission is $3 per person or free for Renew Active and SilverSneakers members. Reservations start Monday at 8 a.m. by calling 314-615-8822.
• Celebrate the holidays | Enjoy story time and puppet show, a visit with Santa in the Victorian parlor and a home-baked cookie from Mrs. Claus at the Oakland House, 7801 Genesta Street, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is $7 per person. Reservations are required for weekdays.
• Play pinochle | A small, local group of pinochle players meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Village at McKenzie Place (EverTrue), 8520 McKenzie Road. Anyone who knows how to play is welcome to join this group of “great people playing for fun.”
• Celebrate the holidays | The Bread and Wine Theatre Company will host its Christmas Short Play Festival at the Historic Sappington House, 1015 S. Sappington Road, at 7 p.m. The festival highlights new work from across the country, features up-and-coming St. Louis artists and includes pieces that deal with joy and pain that the Christmas season can bring. There will be five plays over the course of two hours; tickets are available at breadandwinetheatreco.com/tickets.