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PRESS RELEASE and VIDEO. From the Square Pegs Foundation, December 22nd, 2025.
Bringing the Xmas Stoke – QuirkyXmas
“Turn your words into truth and then turn that truth into love“ ~ AS by Stevie Wonder
Saturday, our second annual QuirkyXmas went off yesterday at Dan and Natalie Sare’s Santa’s Tree Farm in Half Moon Bay. Over 500 people pre-registered.
Square Peg Foundation was responding to a need we saw in the community for autism families to be able to enjoy a holiday event laden with the spirit of the season. But in the spirit of Square Peg (www.squarepegfoundation.org, a local non profit since 2004), we wanted FUN and INCLUSION to be our central themes. Our goal is for families to be able to choose their own experience and to have those choices honored with generosity and service. No lines, no judgement, no reaching into your pocket for money, no worries, no agenda.Â
Just fun and play – what coastside surfers call “The Stoke.”
An offshore warmness wrapped the Christmas tree farm like a hug and the rain held off.
Families wandered in  – no official door – no agenda – no requirements  – no handouts – just generous offerings and the Stoke. What families observed was staff in silly pajamas, firemen welcoming them, people visiting, people hugging, people laughing, dogs on leashes, silly decorations– and music everywhere. “Would you like a train ride? A hot dog? How about face painting? Santa is here if you’d like to visit. Would you like to dance or maybe hop in the firetruck and ring the brass bell?”
Santa was played by a young man with autism. The musicians – all autistic. The food – free. Just the spirit of generosity everywhere. No lines, no gifts. Just play and care. You could look for stars hidden all over the 70 acre farm and redeem them for a sticker of your choice.
Entire families showed up in their pajamas. Silly and lighthearted.
At QuirkyXmas, you can ride the train (sponsored by local Bodas Construction) – again and again if you liked. You could visit the quiet sensory room and stay as long as you need to. Bobby the train conductor says QuirkyXmas is the only day where everyone on the train is smiling all the time.
The fireman brought their engine and their enthusiasm. One young man climbed into the truck and refused to leave. Rather than panic or try to make him leave,  they brought his mom a hotdog. He stayed in the engine for hours and peacefully left at the end of the event.
The Volunteer Firemen told us that last year they talked about the event for months and that this year, they noticed that it wasn’t just the kids that were smiling, this year, even the parents were smiling. They couldn’t imagine that the event could be better– but it was.
The band played Uptown, Funk, Gangnam Style, fun and funky hits as well as Christmas staples. Nick Guzman sang originals and folk favorites. Dancing was the order of the day.
Square Peg brought The Stoke to our coastal community this weekend. We lived up to our values of dignity and lightheartedness. We walked our talk about celebrating, about serving with dignity, about the healing power of laughter and play.
Towards the end of the event, some people stopped me, two young couples, one with a baby. They were at the Christmas tree farm to buy a tree.
“Excuse me? Can you tell us what’s happening here?“
“It’s QuirkyXmas; a celebration of Neurodiversity. Come hear the band and have a hotdog !“ I answered.
They did.
Photos here:Â https://rcpeters.smugmug.com/Square-Peg/Quirky-Xmas-2025
Video Here: https://teamquirky.substack.com/p/quirkyxmas-2025?r=5pos7m
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Author: mdrag
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