Candy Cane Train returns to Ala Moana Center

The Candy Cane Train, which takes children on a sing-along journey, returns to Ala Moana Center again this year.

The 30-foot-long train, inspired by "The Christmas Gift of Aloha" storybook by Lisa Matsumoto, is available for rides daily. Rides begin at 10 a.m. daily through Dec. 26 (closed Christmas Day). Final rides each day vary according to mall hours.

Rides cost $7 for children 12 and under.

Eat with Santa to help prevent child abuse

Meet Santa, Winnie-the-Pooh and the "Star Wars" Stormtroopers at Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii’s 24th annual "Breakfast with Santa" next Saturday.

Darth Vader and the Stormtroopers are scheduled to appear at the Japanese Cultural Center’s Manoa Grand Ballroom. Other costumed characters joining the breakfast include Mickey Mouse, Elmo, Bugs Bunny and Cheeseasaurus Rex. And, of course, the man in red himself.

The breakfast helps Prevent Child Abuse raise funds for its current programs as well as add programs for local keiki.

The breakfast takes place from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and lunch from noon to 2 p.m. A donation of $20 per person includes a served meal, photo with Santa, face painting, games, crafts, magicians and a Christmas gift. Children under 2 are free but will not receive a seat or meal.

The Japanese Cultural Center is at 2454 S. Beretania St. To purchase tickets, visit www.preventchildabusehawaii.org or call 951-0200.

Gingerbread Village awaits visitors at Waikiki hotel

Gather 120 gallons of icing, 60 pounds of dark chocolate, 20 pounds of white chocolate and 30 sheets of gingerbread — talk about a sugar rush.

Inspired by his homeland, Chef Ralf Bauer’s German Gingerbread Village display at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani features medieval churches, train stations, a carousel and an ice skating rink, all dusted in powdered-sugar snow.

This year the village has been extended to include a firehouse, a city house and ‘Iolani Palace, which took more than a month and a half to complete. The entire palace is edible, Bauer said: Even the glass panes are made of sugar.

Bauer said he enjoys taking school groups around the village, explaining his personal connection to the pieces he creates.

"For example, one the structures — Mount Isabelle — is named after my daughter, who is helping me build part of the village," Bauer said. "We also explain how our houses are built and then provide the materials to students to create their own gingerbread house."

Bauer said he enjoys adding to the display each year and seeing the pleasure it gives hotel guests. "It leaves tourists and locals with big smiles," he said.

For more information, call 922-5811 or visit www.princess-kaiulani.com.

Make-a-Wish Foundation wants letters to Santa

Write a letter to Santa, drop it off at Macy’s and help make a dream come true.

For every stamped letter addressed to "Santa at the North Pole," Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation — up to $1 million.

The Make-a-Wish Foundation, which has 64 chapters in the United States, grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

The letters can be dropped into special Santa letterboxes at Macy’s, which plans to take them to the post office for delivery to Santa.

For more information, visit www.macys.com/believe.