(Photo by Unknown)

Two Christmas trees shine brightly in front of the Village Center after being lit at the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival at the Village Center Dec. 6. (Photo by Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III)

Capt. Eddie Hammett, 1st Tank Battalion, helps his 3-year-old daughter, Lauren, make a Christmas card at the battalion?s Christmas party Dec. 13 at the Community Center. More than 400 Marines with their families attended the event, which had a table full of crafting supplies to create Christmas cards and paper wreathes for the children, among other activities. There was also a Christmas dinner with 12 turkeys and hams along with a variety of side dishes from the base?s food services. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Regina N. Ortiz)

April Rialon, wife of deployed Staff Sgt. Marcelino Rialon, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, waits patiently as Pfc. Paul Bailey and Pvt. John Boswell, 7th Marine Regiment Headquarters, load the tree picked out by Rialon and her three daughters into her vehicle. On Dec. 3, Marines of 7th Marine Regiment picked up 120 of 600 Christmas trees donated to Camp Pendleton for the families of Marines deployed. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Regina N. Ortiz)

Santa (Staff Sgt. Steven Santana) and his elves (1st Lt. Anthony Bariletti and Lance Cpl. Richard Sann) arrive in style at the 1st Tank Bn. Christmas party held Dec. 13 at the Community Center. (Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Christopher W. Cox)

Anne C. Jacob, wife of Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert C. Jacob, Combat Center Band director, leads the Condor Elementary School Choir at the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival at the Village Center Dec. 6. (Photo by Sgt. Robert L. Fisher)

(Photo by Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III)

Shelby Carter, 9, looks at her painted tiger face at the BBQ Winterfest at the Community Center Dec. 10. Carter?s parents, Travis and Staff Sgt. Alora Carter, Headquarters Battalion, watched Shelby?s face get painted. (Photo by Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III)

(Photo by Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III)

?I want to wish you a merry Christmas,? screams Sgt. Stefan J. Spuntow while strumming his trumpet at the Commanding General?s Holiday Concert Dec. 11at Sunset Cinema. The Party Band, a section of the Combat Center Band and directed by Staff Sgt. Joseph W. Streeter, entertains through its often-comedic songs and brash singing styles. At this year?s holiday concert, some of the songs they performed included, ?I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,? along with the much-loved, ?The Italian Christmas Donkey.? (Photo by Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III)

Members of the drum line from the Combat Center Band perform at the Commanding General?s Holiday Concert at Sunset Cinema Dec. 11. Some of the songs performed at this year?s holiday concert included, ?12 Days of Christmas,? by Jerry Bilik, and ?A Christmas Festival? and ?Sleigh Ride,? by Leroy Anderson. (Photo by Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III)

?Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night,? says Santa Claus (Sgt. Maj. James M. Ricker, Combat Center sergeant major) at the Commanding General?s Holiday Concert Dec. 11 at Sunset Cinema. Santa burst from the fireplace during Brig. Gen. Douglas M. Stone?s reading of ??Twas the Night Before Christmas.? The Combat Center commanding general read to children of the Combat Center while the band played musical accompaniment. (Photo by Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III)