This time of year, my loved ones start asking me what I want for Christmas.

I dutifully wrote a list of some books and clothes and a few charities to support and passed it on. But you know what I really want for Christmas? I want to make memories with my family and friends. I want time, space and an activity to do together with my loved ones that I’ll enjoy in the moment and that will give us all a memory to cherish in the future.

If you feel the same way, consider some memory-makers available through the Austin Area Commission for the Arts before Christmas.

$5 Wednesday movies at the Paramount: Mark your schedule and make an outing to see some of your all-time favorite movies on the big screen at the Paramount. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. with tickets available at concessions (no advance tickets). Coming up: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” on Wednesday; “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” on Dec 6; “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” on Dec 13; “Home Alone” on Dec 20 and “Die Hard” on Dec 27. Or pick your own favorite flick at a private movie viewing at the day and time of your choosing. Fee is $250 and if you expect more than 15 guests, we’ll turn on the popcorn machine and make concessions available.

Make a keepsake: Create a polymer clay snowflake ornament suitable for hanging on the tree or in a sunny window at class with Layl McDill at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Learn how to make colorful designs in polymer clay then use those slices to make a snowflake ornament. You may have time to make more than one. Great gifts for teachers, grandparents and friends. Take it home and bake it in your own oven. Appropriate for ages 8 and up so it makes a great parent-child or grandparent-grandchild activity. Register at www.austinareaarts.org.

Catch the holiday lights gleaming on brass: Attend TubaChristmas on Dec. 2 at the Paramount. Check out this free concert featuring all your holiday favorites played by local tuba and euphonium players. TubaChristmas is part of a world-wide phenomenon launched in 1974 to honor tuba teacher William J. Bell.

Celebrate the humorous and tender times of the holiday season by attending Mick Sterling’s “At Christmas,” a combination of holiday scenes and Christmas songs. The show is at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 and features John and Lisi Wright performing. It’s a family-friendly Christmas version of “Saturday Night Live” sure to make memories for all attendees. Tickets are on sale now.

Make a Christmas gift: Join Ted Carpenter, Blue Heron Beadworks jewelry designer from Coralville, Iowa, at 6 p.m. on Dec. 5 for an evening of earring basics. We will make three pairs of earrings using sterling silver components and you can choose from an assortment of semi-precious gemstones, Swarovski crystals, and fresh water pearls. You will learn how to make a simple headpin loop and that one trick will result in a lifetime of creating beautiful earrings. Cost is just $30 but only nine spots still available. Register at www.austinareaarts.org.

Spend an hour with the Matchbox gang: Attend Matchbox Children’s Theatre performance of “A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol” at 7 p.m.  on Dec. 8-9  and 2 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Paramount Theatre. Get into the spirit of Christmas with a fairy tale spin on the classic Dickens story. The Big Bad Wolf plays Ebenezer Scrooge and the Crachit family is portrayed by Prince Charming and Cinderella with children Hansel, Gretal and the Little Match Girl as Tiny Tim. Only one hour so even the littlest family members can enjoy the show. Tickets are on sale now.

Hear some of Austin’s best voices singing your favorite holiday songs: Attend “Christmas At Home” a concert benefiting the Austin Public Schools music programs. This is a one-of-a-kind variety show featuring music faculty, current students, alumni and friends. Each performance will include songs by select student ensembles like the AHS Austinaires, AHS Jazz One and more. Consider attending both shows to see all the great performances: 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 and 2 p.m. on Dec.  16. Tickets are on sale now.

Tickets and more information are available at www.austinareaarts.org or at the ArtWorks Center, 300 N Main St. We are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Coming soon at the Paramount Theatre

$5 Movie: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Wed Nov 29 at 7:30 p.m.

TubaChristmas, Sat Dec 2 at 11 a.m.

Mick Sterling’s At Christmas, Sat Dec 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Matchbox Children’s Theatre: A Fair Tale Christmas Carol, Fri Dec 8-Sat Dec 9-Sun Dec 10

Coming soon at the ArtWorks Center

Polymer Clay Snowflake Ornaments with Layl McDill, Thur Nov 30 at 5:30 p.m.

Sterling Silver Earrings with Blue Heron Beadworks, Tue Dec 5 at 6 p.m.