Youthful holidays at the Four Seasons The Four Seasons Resort and Club has a slew of Christmas festivities planned. These will especially appeal to a younger crowd. For both events, meet in the hotel’s Show Kitchen. 4150 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving; 972-717-2420. Gingerbread house decorating contest: Children ages 5 and older are invited to bring a parent and decorate a gingerbread house, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 1; $35.
Cookie decorating with pastry chefs: Children ages 5 and older (with a parent) will receive hands-on guidance to decorate Christmas cookies 3 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 8; $25. THE CONTESSA IS COMING: Ina Garten, the Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa, will sign cookbooks at the Dallas Central Market. You have to request a free ticket at the store’s Information Desk; limited to 500 people. Noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 30. Central Market, Lovers Lane at Greenville Avenue; 214-361-5754.
CULINARY BOOTCAMP: The Three-Day Culinary Basics class offers 13 hours of hands-on instruction on topics including knife skills, kitchen safety, grilling, roasting, blanching, preparing stocks and sauces, and working with yeast, dough and pie. Menu includes salad with basic vinaigrette; fresh fruit shortcakes with cr me Chantilly; saut ed chicken breast with tomato basil sauce; pan-seared strip steaks with blue cheese butter; and red wine-poached pears with cr me fraiche. 6 to 9 p.m. Nov.
30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 2; $385. Milestone Culinary Arts Center, 4531 McKinney Ave.; 214-217-2818. CHRISTMAS TALES AND TEA: Discover some little-known facts about Christmas traditions from Europe, followed by a full afternoon tea service in this SMU informal course, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 7; $59 ($49 for early registration). Lavendou Bistro Proven al, 19009 Preston Road, just south of Bush Turnpike; 214-768-8446 or www.think.smu.edu.