Holiday Plan

As we at Houstonist started our day, the Buzz's Brother Rod was playing a crowd favorite "Drive Thru Sing-a-Long" during which courageous contestants festively sang "Deck the Halls," hoping an unknowing drive-thru attendant would chime in with the chorus. (We'll sing with you … fa la la la la, lala la la!) To our dismay, it took over an hour and countless attempts for someone to win this reindeer game. So where's the holiday spirit? To give you Scrooges out there a nudge, we compiled a short list of activities to help you catch the yuletide feeling:

Thursday
Pile the fam into the Volvo and cruise town checking out Christmas lights. Start in your own neighborhood and venture out from there: Most local neighborhoods are adorned with lights, with some particularly fine examples between Bering and Chimney Rock north of San Felipe. A bit easier to find are the lighted trees along Post Oak Boulevard in Uptown. From there, head over and "oooo, ahhh" at the Holiday Lights at Hermann Park before ending up in Galveston for the Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens.

Friday
It isn't Christmas without waking up to a living room full of presents to tear through. But if you don't tell the Man himself what you want, how will they get there? Breakfast with Santa at the Aquarium (410 Bagby St.) is your last chance to sit on his lap and plead your case to be on the "Nice" list. (Pulling his beard won’t help.) While you're there, be sure to look at the pretty fishes. We know it’s a long weekend, but stay out of The Dive Lounge! Until later, that is. Now that you've had the most important meal of the day, head to the Wortham Center to critique local art. The BBAP Christmas Tree Show displays a variety of artistic trees from local students and artists. Once the sun goes down, head to Cabo. Not Mexico — the restaurant. You'd never get back in time to catch Mommy kissing Santa Claus. Afterward, walk the meal off on a Jingle Jaunt. Tour downtown eying the décor of our city's center, including window displays and the city Christmas tree. If all that excitement makes you thirsty, have a hot toddy (if you can find one) at one of the many downtown drinking establishments.

Saturday
Since the big day is tomorrow, better get out there and start shopping. Christmas Eve is a great opportunity to catch the early (or late) sales. Time is of the essence, though: Most of the city will shut down around 6 p.m.

Not even Scrooge himself could fight off Christmas with a weekend this festive. So break out the eggnog — "spiced," of course — and start baking the cookies. We'll be sure to tell Tiny Tim you said hello.