• The Aberdeen Township Department of Recreation has announced the following programs: Dec. 15, National Cupcake Day, will feature a Children’s Holiday Cupcake Decoration Celebration at the Hudson Ridge Senior Center, Church Street, from 5-6:30 p.m. for ages 6-12, and from 6:45-8:15 p.m. for ages 13-18. Cost of the program includes six cupcakes each child will be able to decorate with assorted frostings, sprinkles and other toppings; at the end of December, the Children’s Winter Break Day Camp will take place from Dec. 27-30. The programming is open to children ages 6-12 and will be held at the Fiorendo Sigismondi Community Center, Prospect Avenue, Cliffwood Beach; a bus trip to Disney on Ice at the Prudential Center, Newark, is scheduled for Jan. 15; there will be a Paint and Snack event at the Sigismondi Community Center on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. (ages 18 and up); February features an ice cream social on Feb. 6 at the Sigismondi Community Center. Stay in pajamas and bring the family to create an ice cream and waffle sundae. There will be a movie screening and an activity for children starting at 9 a.m.; there will be a Mother-Son Carnival Dance on Feb. 17 at the Sigismondi Community Center. Sons are invited to bring their mom or any adult female guest to dress up and dance the night away. To register or to view the entire winter program lineup, visit https://parksrec.egov.basgov.com/aberdeen
• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, is conducting blood drives which are open to the public. The following drives are scheduled: Dec. 21, Middletown United Methodist Church, 924 Middletown‑Lincroft Road, Middletown, 12:30-6:30 p.m.; Dec. 23, Congregation B’nai Israel, 171 Ridge Road, Rumson, 12:30-6:30 p.m.; Dec. 27, North Centerville Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1, 372 Middle Road, Hazlet, 1-7 p.m.; Dec. 28, Most Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church, 133 Amboy Road, Matawan, 1-7 p.m.; Dec. 30, Lincroft Bible Church, 790 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, 1-7 p.m. To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• The Monmouth County Park System will host 19th century Christmas ballads on Dec. 11 from 1-3:30 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Enjoy 19th century Christmas ballads played on the piano. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host the Casual Birder on Dec. 21 at 9 a.m. at Thompson Park, Lincroft, meet at Marlu Lake. Join a park system naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a cookstove demonstration on Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. See what’s cooking on the woodstove and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present The Sounds of Christmas on Dec. 12 from 1-3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Celebrate the holidays by listening to Larry Moser and Mary Nagin play Christmas carols on the hammered dulcimer and fiddle. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present a Nature Lecture Series: Seals of the Jersey Shore on Dec. 16 from 7-8 p.m. at the Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth. Join a park system naturalist for a talk about the different species of seals that call the Jersey Shore home during the colder months. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present a Clear the House Stroll on Dec. 24 at 10 a.m. at Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown. Clear the house by sending family and guests on a stroll with a park system guide. This stroll takes place on even paths and at a slow pace. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Nature on the Move: Winter Days on Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. at Holmdel Park, Holmdel, meet in the shelter building parking area.
Look for the park system’s colorful Nature on the Move van and join a park system naturalist for a 45- to 60-minute hands-on interactive program. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host the Creative Arts Center exhibit from Dec. 4 through Dec. 11 in “the Gallery” at the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The exhibit celebrates the original artwork of the Creative Arts Center’s students and instructors. Many pieces will be available for purchase. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, is conducting blood drives which are open to the public. The following drives are scheduled: Dec. 9, Most Holy Redeemer, 133 Amboy Road, Matawan, 1-7 p.m. To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America – Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. The organization welcomes stitchers of all levels. Evening stitchers will meet via Zoom on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Day stitchers will meet via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or visit website:www.mcega.org
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.