There’s a lot going on at Ward Centres this holiday season. And with more than 135 shops and eateries, it’s a perfect one-stop shopping locale to find gifts and goodies for your Christmas list.  

You can also spend some time there with your loved ones while giving back to Hawai‘i’s community.  Have your pet photographed with Santa, take a trolley tour to view the Christmas lights of City Hall and Downtown Honolulu, or treat your family to a spaghetti lunch with Santa, and your money will benefit a Hawai‘i nonprofit.  For a complete list of Ward Centers’ holiday events and promotions, visit www.WardCenters.com/events. 

Here are a few of them:

Senior Giving Tree (Nov. 27-Dec. 16 (Benefits Catholic Charities Hawaii)

For those who wish to reach out and give to seniors this holiday season, Senior Giving Trees will be located at Nordstrom Rack, Ward Centre Diamond Head side near Sedona, and at the ground floor ‘ewa end of the Ward Warehouse.  Customers are invited to pick a holiday ornament off the tree and fulfill a senior’s special wish for the holidays this year.

Lunch with Santa (Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 5-20, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m) Benefits Law Enforcement Explorers

Families can enjoy a spaghetti lunch with Santa at Old Spaghetti Factory.  The $13 ticket also includes a holiday show, arts and crafts and made-to-order balloon animals.  Tickets are now on sale at Old Spaghetti Factory and sell out quickly.  Limit 10 tickets per adult.

Honolulu City Lights Trolley Tours (Dec. 6-30) (Benefits the Hawaii Food Bank) 

Enjoy a fun-filled ride to view the dazzling Christmas lights of City Hall and Downtown Honolulu.  Non-stop trolley rides are approximately 25 minutes long and depart nightly from Ward Warehouse.  Pre-sale tickets at $4.50 per person are available for purchase at the Ward Warehouse common area near T&C Surf Designs beginning Nov. 27 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Nov. 28-29 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Nov. 30-Dec. 20 (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) while supplies last.  Keiki under 45-inches tall must purchase a cabin seat and be accompanied by an adult.  Keiki three years and under are free and must sit in the cabin on the lap of their parent or guardian.  Cash or check only.  Limit 10 tickets per adult. 

Pet Photos with Santa (Saturdays & Sundays, Nov. 14 & 15 (11 a.m.-2 p.m.); Dec. 5 & 6 (1-4 p.m.) ($5 from each sale donated to Friends for Life)

Have your pet professionally photographed with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  $15 for 8 wallets.  For an additional $15 you’ll receive a choice of one 8×10, two 5×7, or four 4×5 photos.  Photography by Expressions Portrait Design at Ward Warehouse.  Ward Warehouse Conference Room, 2^nd Floor.

Gift Wrapping Service (Friday-Sunday, Dec. 11-13; Daily, Dec. 18-24 [Mall Hours] (Benefits Honolulu Habitat for Humanity and Lupus Hawaii)

Ease some holiday stress by having the happy helpers at Ward Centers wrap your gifts.  Gift wrapping stations are located at the ‘ewa end, ground floor of Ward Warehouse and at Ward Centre (Borders side of the mall).  Pricing starts at $3 per gift item.

Christmas Keiki Hula (Sundays, Dec. 6-20, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

It’s time to celebrate the holidays in true Hawaiian style!  Free hula performances by Hawai‘i’s keiki will be held at the Ward Warehouse Amphitheater.  School bands, choirs and strolling carolers will also perform at Ward Centers during the month of December.

Holiday Gift with Purchase, Sunday, December 13, 2009

Customers will receive a $20 Ward Gift Card by presenting $200 in Ward Centers’ shopping and dining same-day receipts on Sunday, December 13.  This promotion is limited to the first 400 customers.  Redemption counters will be located at Mamo Howell (Ward Warehouse) and Crazy Shirts Outlet (Ward Centre Streetfront), mall hours, while supplies last. 

For more information about the shops and restaurants at Ward Centers, visit www.WardCenters.com.