By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Weekend Editor

There is probably no other time that feels as Christmasy, as the week after Thanksgiving, barring the Christmas holiday itself.

People have begun their Christmas shopping, Christmas tree farms have opened for business, and the holiday shows and presentations have begun in every community. There are plenty of things to do this weekend to get you in the holiday spirit.

On Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3 and 4, Georgia Youth Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” at Sams Auditorium. “The Nutcracker” is the tale of a little girl's Christmas fantasies come alive. The music is enchanting and familiar, the costumes and scenery are lavish and ornate, and the dancers bring the timeless classic to life with an equal mix of comedy and drama.

“The Nutcracker will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, at 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5. If you have never seen “The Nutcracker,” this is an excellent opportunity that is both close to home and affordable for the entire family. Call 770-716-9858 for information.

Performances of “A Christmas Carol” at Newnan Community Theater also begin Dec. 3. “A Christmas Carol” is the famous story of a miserly old man's spiritual reawakening. Ebeneezer Scrooge is visited by three ghosts one Christmas Eve and by morning he has learned the error of his ways. Newnan Community Theater's production boasts a cast of thousands and unlike the group's first performance of the play 15 years ago, heat.

This will be the first program in Newnan Community Theater's new complex, which is directly across the street from its old complex, the Manget Brannon Center for the Arts on First Street in Newnan. The show will run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Dec. 3 - 19, at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $5. Call 770-683-NCTC.

Let's not forget the simple holiday pleasures, though, as there will be two Christmas tree lightings and, of course, Santa's Parade. Santa's Parade in Fayetteville begins at 4 p.m. Santa takes a sleigh and the role of grand marshal as he coasts around the town spreading pre-Christmas day cheer.

The parade will start on Lafayette Avenue heading east. Parade spectators are invited to line the downtown streets of Lafayette Avenue, Ga. Highway 85 south, and Lanier Avenue.

The parade will be followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree. There will be free carriage rides with Santa offered for a short period of time following the parade.

Santa will then hightail it over to Peachtree City for their tree lighting ceremony and choral concert. The festivities begin at 6 p.m., with appearances from Santa and several local choruses. The tree will be lit at approximately 7:30 p.m and Toys for Tots will be collected during the festivities.

With each passing day, the holiday will get closer and your spirit will become infected more and more. You will find cravings for egg nog, or drives around local neighborhoods looking at all of the different lighting displays. It was once coined in a song, and it can sound a bit corny, but it truly is “the most wonderful time of the year.”

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