Pro tip 1: Decorate, then assemble

Pro tip 2: Icing, icing baby

Pro tip 3: Water is your best friend

Bonus tip: Make “glass” windows

• Kansas City Ballet Presents “The Nutcracker” | Friday, Dec. 22-Sunday, Dec. 24 | Times vary | Kauffman Center, KCMO | $34-$250 | Enjoy the magical theatrical experience wrapped with exquisite costumes, grand sets + captivating choreography.
• Elves Night Out | Friday, Dec. 22 | 8 p.m. | Cable Dahmer Arena, 19100 E. Valley View Pkwy., Independence, MO | $20 | Elves ages 21+ can come party with a DJ, ice skating, and drinks.
• Classic Holiday Movie Series | Friday, Dec. 22, Sunday, Dec. 31 | Times vary | Union Station, KCMO | $3.75 | Catch a showing of the holiday classic “The Polar Express” at the region’s largest silver screen.

• Christmas at Watkins “C” Ranch | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Watkins “C” Ranch, 19262 Lecompton Rd., Leavenworth, KS | $10-$65 | Pick your route: photos with Santa, trail riding, or campfire s’mores.
• A Whovian Holiday Party | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 7-10 p.m. | ReRoll Tavern, 2368 Armour Rd., KCMO | $12 | Enjoy a wibbly wobbly party featuring Dr. Who trivia, a costume contest, and out-of-this-world drinks.
• Christmas Vacation Trivia | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Weston Wine Company, 540 Main St., Weston, MO | $7 | Compete for fabulous prizes and bragging rights.

• Jenny’s Jingle Bell Jammie Jamboree | Sunday, Dec. 24 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Grains & Taps Brewery Taproom, 310 SW Blue Pkwy., Lee’s Summit, MO | $20.99 | Don ye now your favorite Christmas pajamas and join the party — complete with a waffle bar.

• Still trying to create your own KC Cookie tin? Add KCookies to your bracket. Its newly opened storefront (12399 W. Harold St., Olathe, KS) bakes the classics plus a plethora of signature flavors. (Shawnee Mission Post)

• Go ahead and add Mama Kelce’s Cookies to your list, too. Travis Kelce’s mom will sell her famous chocolate chip cookies at the Chiefs vs. Raiders game, Monday, Dec. 25. Find them at Kingdom Lodge in Section 136. All proceeds benefit Operation Breakthrough. (FOX4)

• How do you make sushi taste better? Put it on a conveyer belt. The long-awaited Kura Sushi Bar is now open on the Plaza (200 W. 47th St., KCMO). It features a conveyor belt that winds throughout the dining room + robot servers. (Kansas City Business Journal)

• Star Wars fans — you’re gonna wanna to sit down for this. Ian McDiarmid, who plays Emperor Palpatine, is a confirmed guest for Planet Comicon KC. He will be available all three days of the con, Friday, March 8-Sunday, March 10.

• It’s here. Sporting KC just dropped its 2024 season schedule. The team’s season opener will be an away game against Houston Dynamo on Saturday, Feb. 24. Their first home game is Saturday, March 2 vs. Philadelphia Union. View the schedule.

• Forbes ranked Missouri and Kansas the No. 9 and No. 10 most generous states respectively, after considering both monetary donations and volunteer labor. Around here, there’s no end to the season of giving.

• The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum (16701 286th Rd., Atchison, KS) is the only nominee from the Midwest for USA Today’s “Best New Museum” category. So fly to the polls, KC — voting ends on Monday, Dec. 25 at 11 a.m.

• You voted and you were heard. Another Kansas license plate design was never entered in the official poll but garnered viral support. Answering your call, the designer will soon sell their creation as a vanity plate. Stay tuned to their Facebook for more info.

• Impromptu caroling at a Walmart near the Kansas Speedway lead to a viral video showing every person in sight joining in. Watch the holiday magic unfold.

• Well, this is officially our last News Note of 2023. Thank you to our KCtoday community for staying connected with us this year. If you want to support us in 2024, consider becoming a member — you’ll support us directly and keep these newsletters coming. Until next year, folks.

🚊 KC Streetcar