'Tis the season to be jolly - and stressed out, overextended and downright "Grinch-y!" Here are some tips for reclaiming your holiday spirit (not to mention, your sanity).
First, lower your expectations. Forego the Martha Stewart thing and focus on the one or two things that mean the most to you, like decorating the tree or having your annual "open house" party.
Time management experts suggest you make a list of all the things you think you "need" to do for the holidays - and drop at least one of them, guilt-free. That old college roommate will survive without your Christmas card on their mantel. And now is the time of year to ask for help - get the kids involved in baking cookies or wrapping gifts; ask your aunts to pitch in on preparing that seven-course meal (they'll be flattered to be involved).
Create some new traditions for your family by investigating the great holiday events going on around Talladega. Attend a tree-lighting, concert or children's event.
Simplify gift-giving this year with gift cards. They save you worrying over sizes or styles and are a lot easier to ship. Just make sure to read the fine print beforehand regarding any fees, surcharges or expiration rules.
When it comes to gifts for couples or families, consider a single gift -
movie passes or a membership to a museum, zoo or arts organization is unique and fun for everyone.
You can also save gas and time by shopping the great local stores in and around Talladega. Start with these links to find unique gift ideas - AND support your local economy, too! Don't forget to purchase a new, unwrapped toy and drop it off at your nearest
Toys for Tots location; you'll make a child's holiday one to remember. (And while we're on the subject of helping out, consider a donation of time, goods or money to the many worthy
non-profit groups in your area. The economy has hit them especially hard and made it more difficult for them to serve the community).
Finally, give yourself the gift of health by carving out a little time for exercise - even if it's just a brisk walk. This will keep your mood lifted, your cravings for Christmas treats in control and your mental health in check. In fact, think of it as your "Sanity Clause!"
Make everyone - including yourself! - more comfortable:
Find Talladega hotels for the relatives here
.
Put down that roasting pan and give yourself a holiday break:
Find a new restaurant to enjoy a meal out here.
Stumped for what to get your boss or your new in-laws?
Find unique gift ideas here.
Earn raves for your feast!
Get the best local ingredients here.
Hardworking elves deserve a break. Take a time-out and get pampered here.
"Ooooh!" "Aaaaaah!" "Cooooool!" Find great holiday events, displays and attractions
here.
Start digging out the party hats and noisemakers. New Year's Eve is coming too-find fun ways to welcome in 2009 here.
Some other fun holiday facts to impress (or bore) your relatives with as you gather for the season:
* The common abbreviation "Xmas" is derived from the Greek alphabet. "X" is letter "Chi", which, in the Greek alphabet, is the first letter of Christ's name.
* "Silent Night" was written in 1818, by an Austrian priest named Joseph Mohr. The day before Christmas, he learned that the church organ was broken. Determined to have a service with music, he wrote a carol that night, to be sung by choir and accompanied by guitar.
Toys For Tots Drop-Off Locations and Information for Alabama
Busters Iga
514 Kirkland St
Abbeville
Dollar General
114 S Court Sq
Abbeville
Quality Plus Storage
2833 Andrews
Abbeville
Amstar Movie Theater
Alabaster
Liberty National Insurance Company
124 Aliant Pkwy
Alexander City
Dollar General
609 E Church St
Atmore
Family Dollar
500 E Church St
Atmore
Fred Discount Store
120 Lindberg Ave
Atmore
Beacon Addiction Treatment Center
401 Beacon Pkwy W
Birmingham
Hoover Self Storage
3454 Lorna Rd
Birmingham
Nelson Building
205 20 St N
Birmingham
Uab Medical Ctr
401 Beacon Pkwy
Birmingham
Cherokee County Country Club
270 County Road 382
Centre
Waffle King
101 Piedmont Rd
Centre
Dollar General
Columbia Hwy
Columbia
Child Of Mine
26600 US HWY 98
Daphne
D.R. Horton Inc
28186 highway 98 suite a
Daphne
Daphne Pediatric Denistry 2
7058 professinial place
Daphne
Daphne Public Library
2607 us highway 98
Daphne
Daphne Public Library
2607 US HIGHWAY 98
Daphne
Elberta Middle School
13355 main st
Daphne
Hooters Of Daphne
28975 US HWY 98
Daphne
Rennasiance Photo Shop
107 n bancroft st
Daphne
Spanish Fort Hs
1 plaza de toros dr
Daphne
Aarons Rental
4111 Montgomery Hwy
Dothan
Big Lots
3121 Ross Clark Cir
Dothan
Bondy'S Ford
3615 Ross Clark Cir
Dothan
Burke Outlet
2129 Ross Clark Cir
Dothan
Burke Outlet
3850 W Main St
Dothan
Century Tel
150 Techonology Dr
Dothan
Cinima 1
3595 Ross Clark Cir
Dothan
Cinima 2
206 Execitive Pkwy
Dothan
Denton Rd Mini Storage
2132 Denton Rd
Dothan
Discovery Rental
1481 Montogomery Hwy
Dothan
Dollar General
2890 Ross Clark Cir
Dothan
Dollar General
2301 Reeves St
Dothan
Dollar General
2965 Hartford Hwy
Dothan
Dollar General
2505 Montgomery Hwy
Dothan
Dollar General
3815 Ross Clark Cir
Dothan
Dollar General
431 North
Dothan
Dollar General
1060 W Main St
Dothan
Dollar General
231S
Dothan
Dollar General
767 Selma
Dothan
Dollar General
1825 S Brannon Stands Rd
Dothan
Evans Auto
102 6th Ave
Dothan
Flying J
2190 Ross Clark Cir
Dothan
For News
2221 Ross Clark Cir
Dothan
Hooters
3808 Ross Clark Cir
Dothan
Kohl'S Department Store
Montgomery Hwy
Dothan
Mayer Lighting
3108 Ross Clark Cir.
Dothan
Mcallister Deli
3106 Ross Clark Cir
Dothan
Oreilly Auto Parts
1991 Montgomery Hwy
Dothan
O'Reilly'S Auto Parts
2284 S Oats St
Dothan
Play It Again Sports
3108 Ross Clark Cir
Dothan
Sci Co
220 Healthwest Dr
Dothan
Southside Wal Mart
231S
Dothan
Speedi Cash
429 S Oates St
Dothan
Toys R Us
201 Buyer Dr
Dothan
Ups Store
2932 Ross Clark Cir
Dothan
Usmc Recuiters
2536 Montgomery Hwy
Dothan
Waffle House
3591 Ross Clark Cir
Dothan
Wiregrass United Way 211
545 W Main St
Dothan
Troy University Of Dothan
231 N
Dothanan
Jr Fairhope Yacht Club
102 voanta ave
Fairhope
Southern Chevorlet
2255 S MACKENZE
Foley
Starkey Self Storrage
8141 HWY 59 S
Foley
Dollar General
119 E State Highway 106
Georgiana
Dollar General
122 Bulter SQ
Greenville
Dollar General
100 Short St
Greenville
Freds
804 Cleveland St
Headland
Colonial Bank
Hwy 150
Hoover
Weichert Realtors
2477 suite A1 Valleydale Rd
Hoover
20/20 Optics
3700 government blvd
Mobile
Alabama Power
AIRPORT BLVD
Mobile
Augusta Evans School
100 n florida st
Mobile
Better Bussines Bureu
3361-E COTTAGE HILL RD
Mobile
Cormier Chiropracter
390 schilinger rd unit a/1 box
Mobile
Dairy Fresh Of Al
509 SOUTH CRAFT HWY
Mobile
Golden Corral
675 s. schilinger rd
Mobile
Holliday Inn
GOVERNMENT BLVD
Mobile
Hooters Of Airport Blvd
3869 Airport Blvd
Mobile
Hooters Of Tillmans Corner
5470 INN RD
Mobile
Mobile Diagnostic Center
6701 Airport Blvd Ste A
Mobile
Moes Southwest Grill
390 SCHILLINGER RD UNIT A/1
Mobile
Parrelagal Specialist Us Attorneys
63 S. ROYAL ST SUITE 600
Mobile
Phillips Preparatory School
3255 old shell rd
Mobile
Pilot
1055 HILLCREAST RD
Mobile
Rite Aid
2400 DAWES RD
Mobile
Rite Aid
HILLCREAST AND AIRPORT
Mobile
The Cell Shop
5039 COTTAGE HILL RD
Mobile
Tower
758 ST MICHAELS RD
Mobile
Toys R`Us
429 BEL AIR BLVD
Mobile
Usa Collage Of Medicine
307 N University Blvd
Mobile
Usa University Library
307 N University Blvd
Mobile
White Spunner Construction
2010 w i65 service rd
Mobile
Zaxbys
4385 RANGELINE RD
Mobile
Second 8Th Week Inc.
405 W Railroad N Ave.
Montgomery
Renasant Bank
Grandview Branch
Mountain Brook
Century Tel
294 Andrews
Ozark
Colonial Bank
253 S Union
Ozark
Jameson Inn
1360 S US 231
Ozark
Speedi Cash
2055 S. Hwy 321
Ozark
Samson High School
209 N Broad St
Samson
Shell Chemical Co
I-65 N EXIT 13
Saraland
Spanish Fort Middle
spanish ft
Spanish Ffort
Rockwell Elementary School
10183 US HWY 98
Spanish Fort
Spanish Fort Elementary
30900 HWY 98
Spanish Fort
Ken Cox Ford
HWY 231 NTH
Troy
Pinkards Insurance
HWY 231 NTH
Troy
Troy Bank
HWY 231 NTH
Troy
Wal-Mart Supercenter
HWY 231 NTH
Troy
Rainbow Paint
Highway 31
Vestavia
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Holiday Events around Alabama
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/5/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles-A Comedy - 12/5/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/6/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles-A Comedy - 12/6/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/7/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles-A Comedy - 12/7/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/8/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/9/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/10/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/11/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles-A Comedy - 12/11/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/12/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles-A Comedy - 12/12/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/13/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles-A Comedy - 12/13/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/14/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles-A Comedy - 12/14/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/15/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/16/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/17/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/18/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles-A Comedy - 12/18/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/19/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles-A Comedy - 12/19/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/20/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles-A Comedy - 12/20/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles - 12/21/08
Alabaster -
Christmas Belles-A Comedy - 12/21/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show-Opening Reception - 12/4/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderettes - 12/4/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderland - 12/4/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/5/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/5/08
Birmingham -
Shine 2008: Annual Holiday Group Exhibit - 12/5/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderettes - 12/5/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderland - 12/5/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderland - YP Night - 12/5/08
Birmingham -
2008 Jingle Bell Run/Walk - 12/6/08
Birmingham -
Birmingham Ballet: The Nutcracker - 12/6/08
Birmingham -
Birmingham Ballet: The Nutcracker - 12/6/08
Birmingham -
Casting Crowns Christmas Celebration - 12/6/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/6/08
Birmingham -
Dear Santa - 12/6/08
Birmingham -
Dear Santa - 12/6/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/6/08
Birmingham -
Shine 2008: Annual Holiday Group Exhibit - 12/6/08
Birmingham -
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - 12/6/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderettes - 12/6/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderland - 12/6/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderland - Snacks With Santa - 12/6/08
Birmingham -
A Dickens Vest Pocket Christmas Carol - 12/7/08
Birmingham -
A Dickens Vest Pocket Christmas Carol - 12/7/08
Birmingham -
ASO On The Road-Holiday Concert - 12/7/08
Birmingham -
Birmingham Ballet: The Nutcracker - 12/7/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/7/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderland - 12/7/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/8/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/8/08
Birmingham -
ASO On The Road-Holiday Concert - 12/9/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/9/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/9/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/10/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/10/08
Birmingham -
Shine 2008: Annual Holiday Group Exhibit - 12/10/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/11/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/11/08
Birmingham -
Shine 2008: Annual Holiday Group Exhibit - 12/11/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderettes - 12/11/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderland - 12/11/08
Birmingham -
Bryan White - A Bryan White Christmas - In Concert - 12/12/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/12/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/12/08
Birmingham -
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker - 12/12/08
Birmingham -
Radio City Christmas Spectacular - 12/12/08
Birmingham -
Radio City Christmas Spectacular - 12/12/08
Birmingham -
Shine 2008: Annual Holiday Group Exhibit - 12/12/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderettes - 12/12/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderland - 12/12/08
Birmingham -
Bryan White - A Bryan White Christmas - In Concert - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
Dear Santa - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
Dear Santa - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
Devyani's Annual Holiday Hafla - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
Radio City Christmas Spectacular - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
Radio City Christmas Spectacular - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
Radio City Christmas Spectacular - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
Shine 2008: Annual Holiday Group Exhibit - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderettes - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderland - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderland - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderland - Where Singles Can Mingle - 12/13/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/14/08
Birmingham -
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker - 12/14/08
Birmingham -
Second City’s Dysfunctional Holiday Revue- Comedy - 12/14/08
Birmingham -
Second Citys Dysfunctional Holiday Revue- Comedy - 12/14/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderland - 12/14/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/15/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/15/08
Birmingham -
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker - School Performance - 12/15/08
Birmingham -
A Christmas Story - 12/16/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/16/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/16/08
Birmingham -
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker - School Performance - 12/16/08
Birmingham -
Radio City Christmas Spectacular - 12/16/08
Birmingham -
Radio City Christmas Spectacular - 12/16/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/17/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/17/08
Birmingham -
Shine 2008: Annual Holiday Group Exhibit - 12/17/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/18/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/18/08
Birmingham -
Shine 2008: Annual Holiday Group Exhibit - 12/18/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderettes - 12/18/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/19/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/19/08
Birmingham -
Handel's Messiah - 12/19/08
Birmingham -
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation - 12/19/08
Birmingham -
Nutty Nutcracker - Performance - 12/19/08
Birmingham -
Shine 2008: Annual Holiday Group Exhibit - 12/19/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderettes - 12/19/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/20/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/20/08
Birmingham -
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker - 12/20/08
Birmingham -
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker - 12/20/08
Birmingham -
Shine 2008: Annual Holiday Group Exhibit - 12/20/08
Birmingham -
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Winter Tour 2008 - 12/20/08
Birmingham -
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Winter Tour 2008 - 12/20/08
Birmingham -
White Christmas - 12/20/08
Birmingham -
Winter Wonderettes - 12/20/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/21/08
Birmingham -
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker - 12/21/08
Birmingham -
White Christmas - 12/21/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/22/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/22/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/23/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/23/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/24/08
Birmingham -
Eighth Annual Holiday Show - 12/24/08
Birmingham -
Shine 2008: Annual Holiday Group Exhibit - 12/24/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/25/08
Birmingham -
Shine 2008: Annual Holiday Group Exhibit - 12/25/08
Birmingham -
Christmas Show - 12/26/08
Birmingham -
Shine 2008: Annual Holiday Group Exhibit - 12/26/08
Birmingham -
Shine 2008: Annual Holiday Group Exhibit - 12/27/08
Birmingham -
Moscow Ballets Great Russian Nutcracker - 12/28/08
Birmingham -
Alabama Symphony Orchestra New Year's Eve Concert - 12/31/08
Birmingham -
New Year's Eve Concert - 12/31/08
Butler -
Christmas Ball - 12/6/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/5/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/5/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/5/08
Calera -
Santa Special - 12/6/08
Calera -
Santa Special - 12/6/08
Calera -
Santa Special - 12/6/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/6/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/6/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/6/08
Calera -
Santa Special - 12/7/08
Calera -
Santa Special - 12/7/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/7/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/7/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/7/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/12/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/12/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/12/08
Calera -
Santa Special - 12/13/08
Calera -
Santa Special - 12/13/08
Calera -
Santa Special - 12/13/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/13/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/13/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/13/08
Calera -
Santa Special - 12/14/08
Calera -
Santa Special - 12/14/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/14/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/14/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/14/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/19/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/19/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/19/08
Calera -
Santa Special - 12/20/08
Calera -
Santa Special - 12/20/08
Calera -
Santa Special - 12/20/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/20/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/20/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/20/08
Calera -
Santa Special - 12/21/08
Calera -
Santa Special - 12/21/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/21/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/21/08
Calera -
The Polar Express - 12/21/08
Decatur -
Blind Boys of Alabama- Go Tell it on the Mountain - Christmas Show - 12/8/08
Decatur -
Dancers Inc The Nutcracker - 12/13/08
Dothan -
Downtown Christmas Street Festival - 12/6/08
Dothan -
2008 Jingle Bell Run/Walk - 12/13/08
Fairhope -
Jingle Bell Rock - Workshop - 12/22/08
Fairhope -
Jingle Bell Rock - Workshop - 12/23/08
Florence -
Holly And Ivy Luncheons - 12/4/08
Florence -
Holly And Ivy Luncheons - 12/5/08
Gadsden -
Etowah Youth Symphony Honor Strings Winter Concert - 12/4/08
Gadsden -
The Etowah Symphonic Wind Ensemble in Concert - 12/7/08
Gadsden -
EYO Strings Winter Concert - 12/11/08
Gadsden -
EYO Holiday Pops Concert - 12/14/08
Greenville -
Christams Parade - 12/4/08
Guntersville -
Annie-Performance - 12/4/08
Guntersville -
Annie-Performance - 12/5/08
Guntersville -
Annie-Performance - 12/6/08
Guntersville -
Annie-Performance - 12/7/08
Hamilton -
A Christmas Evening in Hamilton - 12/12/08
Hamilton -
A Christmas Evening in Hamilton - 12/13/08
Huntsville -
Holiday Gallery Tour - 12/4/08
Huntsville -
A Christmas Carol -Season Extra - Performance - 12/5/08
Huntsville -
11th Annual Rocket City Tuba Christmas - 12/7/08
Huntsville -
A Christmas Carol -Season Extra - Performance - 12/7/08
Huntsville -
A Christmas Carol -Season Extra - Performance - 12/11/08
Huntsville -
Wine and Cheese Holiday Twist - 12/11/08
Huntsville -
32nd Annual Rocket City Marathon - 12/13/08
Huntsville -
A Christmas Carol -Season Extra - Performance - 12/14/08
Huntsville -
Holiday Carolers - 12/14/08
Huntsville -
Pops 2 - An Irish New Year's Eve - 12/31/08
Madison -
2008 Jingle Bell Run/Walk - 12/5/08
Mobile -
Playhouse In The Park Presents The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus - 12/4/08
Mobile -
Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk\, Fun Run\, and Elf Chase - 12/6/08
Mobile -
Mobile Symphony - Holiday Pops - 12/14/08
Mobile -
Saenger Christmas Film Series - A White Christmas - 12/18/08
Mobile -
Saenger Christmas Film Series - A Christmas Story - 12/19/08
Mobile -
Christmas With Aaron Neville Quintet Featuring Charles Neville - 12/20/08
Montgomery -
2008 Jingle Bell Run/Walk - 12/6/08
Trussville -
The Chimney With Care - 12/5/08
Trussville -
The Chimney With Care - 12/6/08
Trussville -
The Chimney With Care - 12/7/08
Trussville -
The Chimney With Care - 12/12/08
Trussville -
The Chimney With Care - 12/13/08
Trussville -
The Chimney With Care - 12/14/08
Wetumpka -
2008 12K's of Christmas (and 5k too) Run - 12/13/08
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