The Christmas

shopping has begun, as has the stretching of the holiday waistline and

the near incessant playing of Christmas carols. If you are not in the

holiday spirit yet, you soon will be. There are countless events to attend,

both locally and regionally, that can warm the hearts of any humbug.

If you like

"The Nutcracker," there are several productions taking place

this weekend. Locally, the Georgia Yoth Ballet will present their production

at Our Lady of Mercy High School Friday through Sunday, Dec. 6-8. Performance

times are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday anmd Sunday.

Admission for Friday's show is $8 and all other tickets are $12 for adults

and $10 for students and seniors. Phone 770-716-9858.

Fayette Ballet

wil present their Nutcracker at Starr's Mill High School, Saturday and

Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8. Performance times are 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday

and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 for preferred seating, $12.50

for adults, $10 for children and seniors and $22.50 for patron seating,

which includes choice reserved seating, a listing in the program book

and an invitation to the Patron's reception immediately following the

Saturday evening performance. Phone 770-631-4928 or 770-461-0976.

If you want

to go for a bit of a car ride before and after you see the show, Griffin

Ballet Theatre will present their production on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 2

and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. at Griffin Auditorium. Tickets

are $8-$12 fo students and seniors and $10-$15 for adults. Phone 770-775-4213.

Atlanta Ballet's

"The Nutcracker" will be repesented at the Fox Theatre through

Dec. 29. Tickets are $22-$63 and can be ordered by calling 404-873-5811

ext. 207. Performance times vary.

Not interested

in "The Nutcracker"? How about "Nuncrackers"? The

Main Street Players in Griffin will present the show at the Main Street

Theater at 7:30 p.m Thursdays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Dec.

15. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors. Phone 770-229-9916.

Another holiday

play being performed is Newnan Community Theatre's "The Farndale

Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society Production of

'A Christmas Carol,'" Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through Dec.

14. Tickets are $8-10. Phone 770-683, NCTC.

For more religous

works, North Fayette United Methodist Church will present "How Do

You Welcome a King?" Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec.

7 at 9:45 a.m. while Ramah First Baptist Church will present "Repeat

the Sounding Joy" at 7 p.m on Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8.

It wouldn't

be Christmas without taking in a performance of "The Velveteen Rabbit"

at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. the show wil be preseted at

various times through Jan.5, 2003. Phone 404-873-3391. Another fun holiday

event is the Yule Log Ceremony at Westville, whcih will take place Saturday,

Dec. 7 at 3 p.m.

Other holiday

events include Light Up Senoia on Saturday, Dec. 7 which includes a parade

and choir concerts. Also on Saturday, children can have breakfast with

Santa at Tyrone Elementary School.On Monday, Dec. 9, the Fayette County

High School Choral Department wil present their holiday concert at Sams

Auditorium at 5 and 7:30 p.m., while the Peachtree City Wind Ensemble

will perform their holiday concert at 7 p.m.

The holidays

are also about your family's particular traditions, which may include

cutting and decorating your own Christma tree, going to Fantasy in Lights

at Callaway Gardens or watching some holiday themed movies in the comfort

of your own home. This is a busy time of the year but it should also be

fun.

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