Lake Charles, Louisiana holiday events and holiday shopping guide

'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 Lake Charles. 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 Lake Charles. 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 Lake Charles 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 Louisiana
Neblett,Beard & Arsenault
2220 BONAVENTURE CT
Alexandria

Wells Fargo Financial
4508 COLLISEUM BLVD,SUITE R
Alexandria

A Storage Inn
9491 Belle Chasse Hwy
Belle Chasse

Adams Catfish House
8523 Belle Chasse Hwy
Belle Chasse

Balestra'S Food Market
7902 Belle Chasse Hwy
Belle Chasse

Bounty Bar
9338 Belle Chasse Hwy
Belle Chasse

Ditalis Pizza
8160 Belle Chasse Hwy
Belle Chasse

Domino'S Pizza
7580 Belle Chasse Hwy
Belle Chasse

Double Dragon Chinese Restaraunt
8236 Belle Chasse Hwy
Belle Chasse

Lady Grace
9056 Belle Chasse Hwy
Belle Chasse

Mississippi River Bank
8435 Belle Chasse Hwy
Belle Chasse

Print-All Inc.
7962 Belle Chasse Hwy
Belle Chasse

Salvo'S Seafood Restaraunt
7742 Belle Chasse Hwy
Belle Chasse

Zydeco
1710 Belle Chasse Hwy
Belle Chasse

Halliburton
4607 HIGHWAY 90 E
Broussard

Halliburton
1187 SE EVANGELINE THRUWAY
Broussard

Big Lots
1200 Business Hwy 190 S
Covington

Planet Beach
70452 Highway 21 #400
Covington

Wells Fargo
1600 N Hwy. 190 Ste #6
Covington

Donaldsonville Fire Department
700 LAFOURCHE STREET
Donaldsonville

Eunice Fire Dept
100 W PARK AVE
Eunice

Gsa Inc.
1022 PURPERA ROAD
Gonzales

Big Lot'S
62 Westbank Expressway
Gretna

Hooters Of Westbank
2781 Belle Chasse Hwy
Gretna

Big Lots
1701 West Thomas St
Hammond

Coldstone Creamery Elmwood
1130 S. Clearview pkwy
Harahan

Walmart
3265 Manhattan Blvd
Harvey

Walmart
1501 Manhattan Blvd
Harvey

Bis Easy Storage
2201 W. Napoleon
Kenner

Planet Beach
819 Esplanade Ave #1
Kenner

Build A Bear Workshop (Mall Of Acadiana)
5725 JOHNSTON ST, B120
Lafayette

Halliburton
110 CAPITAL DRIVE
Lafayette

Halliburton
100 CAPITAL DRIVE
Lafayette

Halliburton
100 SOUTHPARK
Lafayette

Klfy-Tv Television Station
1808 ERASTE LANDRY RD
Lafayette

Kxkc -99.1 Radio Station
202 GALBERT RD
Lafayette

Lafayette Coc-Cola Bottling Company
1314 ERASTE LANDRY RD
Lafayette

Walmart
1229 NE EVANGELINE THRUWAY
Lafayette

Walmart
3142 AMBASSADOR CAFFERY PKWY
Lafayette

Walmart
PINHOOK RD
Lafayette

Capital One
450 Cedar St
Madisonville

Cupcake A Children'S Botique
3904 Highway 22
Mandeville

Louisiana Yatching And Boating
4940 Hwy 22
Mandivillie

Big Lot'S
5005 Lapalco Blvd
Marrero

Toys R Us
4800 Lapalco Blvd
Marrero

Walmart
4810 Lapalco Blvd
Marrero

Big Lots
755 Veterans Memorial Blvd.
Metairie

Blue Williams Llp
3421 North Causeway
Metairie

Chili'S
4201 Veterans Memorial Blvd
Metairie

Edg Consultation Engineer
3900 N. Causeway ste. 700
Metairie

Jefferson Ymca
6691 Riverside Dr.
Metairie

Metairie Small Animal Hospital
101 Metairie Rd
Metairie

New Orleans Insurance
2800 Veterans Blvd
Metairie

Planet Beach
2222 Clearview Pkwy
Metairie

Qvl Pharmacy
3501 Severn Ave Suite 3A
Metairie

State Farm
6660 Riverside Dr.
Metairie

Wells Fargo
3501 Severn Ave. Dte #3A
Metairie

Quality Cleaners Inc
1013 8th St
Morgan City

Hal Rider, Dds
129 BURKE ST
New Iberia

Halliburton
719 HANGER DRIVE
New Iberia

Halliburton
1517 WEEKS ISLAND RD
New Iberia

1St American Title
510 Bienville St
New Orleans

Coldstone Creamery
624 S. Carrollton Ave.
New Orleans

Copart Auction
14600 Old Gentilly Rd
New Orleans

Delachasse Bar And Grill
3442 St. Charles
New Orleans

Digital Legal Service
1010 Common St
New Orleans

Hertz Investment Company
400 Poydras
New Orleans

Hertz Investment Company
650 Poydras
New Orleans

Hertz Investment Company
909 Poydras
New Orleans

Hlma-773
nas jrb 400 russell ave box 30
New Orleans

Ikon Legal Documents
650 Poydras Suite 1450
New Orleans

Lf Stores
5408 Magazine St.
New Orleans

Mariposa Saloon & Spa
3700 Orleans Ave
New Orleans

Michoud Nasa Facility, Bldg. 350
13800 Old Gentily Rd., B
New Orleans

Morton'S Steak
365 Canal
New Orleans

Northrop Grumman Ships
5100 River Rd Bldg 721
New Orleans

Planet Beach
5300 Tchoupitoulas
New Orleans

Shell Federal Credit Union
701 Poydras
New Orleans

Space & Naval Warefare
2251 Lakeshore Dr
New Orleans

Tomato
3318 Magazine St
New Orleans

W Hotel
333 Poydras
New Orleans

Walmart
4001 Behrman Rd
New Orleans

Wartsilla North America
819 Central Ave
New Orleans

Wyndam Hotel-River Front
701 Convention Cntr Blvd
New Orleans

Pelican State Credit Union (Pineville Branch)
725 MAIN ST.
Pineville

Dependable Storage
16068 Airline Highway
Prairieville

Stratos
1710 W WILLOW ST
Scott

Aarons
185 Guase Blvd west
Slidell

America'S Best Contact And Eyeglasses
129/131 Northshore Blvd
Slidell

Big Lots
196 Gause Blvd West
Slidell

Harbor Convention Center
100 Harbor Center
Slidell

Mgm Grand Theatre
1950 Gause Blvd West
Slidell

Rite Aid
2090 Guase Blvd
Slidell

U-Store-It
775 Brownswitch Rd.
Slidell

Wells Fargo
106 A1 Guase Blvd West
Slidell

Ascension Parish Welcome Center
6967 HWY 22
Sorrento

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Holiday Events around Louisiana
Alexandria - Expressions of Joy - 12/7/08
Baton Rouge - A Christmas Carol - 12/5/08
Baton Rouge - Forum35/All Star Automotive Group Reindeer Run 5k and Jingle Bell Jog - 12/5/08
Baton Rouge - A Christmas Carol - 12/6/08
Baton Rouge - A Christmas Carol - 12/6/08
Baton Rouge - A Christmas Carol - 12/7/08
Baton Rouge - A Christmas Carol - 12/10/08
Baton Rouge - A Christmas Carol - 12/11/08
Baton Rouge - A Christmas Carol - 12/12/08
Baton Rouge - A Christmas Carol - 12/13/08
Baton Rouge - A Christmas Carol - 12/13/08
Baton Rouge - A Christmas Carol - 12/14/08
Baton Rouge - A Christmas Carol - 12/14/08
Baton Rouge - A Gift for Lyman Bourke - 12/19/08
Baton Rouge - A Gift for Lyman Bourke - 12/20/08
Baton Rouge - A Gift for Lyman Bourke - 12/21/08
Baton Rouge - A Gift for Lyman Bourke - 12/23/08
Baton Rouge - A Gift for Lyman Bourke - 12/26/08
Baton Rouge - A Gift for Lyman Bourke - 12/27/08
Baton Rouge - A Gift for Lyman Bourke - 12/28/08
Bossier City - The Snow Queen - 12/5/08
Bossier City - The Snow Queen - 12/6/08
Bossier City - The Snow Queen - 12/7/08
Bossier City - The Snow Queen - 12/7/08
Bossier City - The Snow Queen - 12/12/08
Bossier City - The Snow Queen - 12/13/08
Bossier City - The Snow Queen - 12/14/08
Bossier City - The Snow Queen - 12/14/08
Bossier City - Radio City Christmas Spectacular - 12/15/08
Bossier City - Radio City Christmas Spectacular - 12/16/08
Bossier City - Radio City Christmas Spectacular - 12/16/08
Deridder - Miracle on Washington Christmas Festival - 12/6/08
Houma - Mulberry Elementary School's Magical Christmas Extravaganza - 12/18/08
Lafayette - 2008 Cajun Country Half Marathon - 12/6/08
Lafayette - The Nutcracker - 12/6/08
Lafayette - The Nutcracker - 12/7/08
Lafayette - Joy to the World - Sicily and Beyond - 12/19/08
Metairie - Miracle on 34th Street - 12/4/08
Metairie - Miracle on 34th Street - 12/5/08
Metairie - Miracle on 34th Street - 12/6/08
Metairie - Miracle on 34th Street - 12/7/08
Metairie - Miracle on 34th Street - 12/12/08
Metairie - Miracle on 34th Street - 12/13/08
Metairie - Miracle on 34th Street - 12/14/08
Monroe - Scrooge - A Christmas Carol - Gala Performence - 12/6/08
Natchitoches - Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights - 12/4/08
Natchitoches - Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights - 12/5/08
Natchitoches - Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights - 12/6/08
Natchitoches - Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights - 12/9/08
Natchitoches - Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights - 12/10/08
Natchitoches - Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights - 12/12/08
Natchitoches - Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights - 12/13/08
Natchitoches - Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights - 12/14/08
Natchitoches - Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights - 12/16/08
Natchitoches - Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights - 12/17/08
Natchitoches - Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights - 12/19/08
Natchitoches - Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights - 12/20/08
Natchitoches - Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights - 12/27/08
Natchitoches - Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights - 12/31/08
New Iberia - Shadows Christmas Party - 12/6/08
New Orleans - Brunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus - 12/4/08
New Orleans - Holiday Tea and Tour of Longue Vue - 12/4/08
New Orleans - Dig, Do, Discover: Holiday Scents and Sights from the Garden - 12/6/08
New Orleans - Reception - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/6/08
New Orleans - The Toymaker's Helper - 12/8/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/9/08
New Orleans - Holiday Tea and Tour of Longue Vue - 12/9/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/10/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/11/08
New Orleans - Concert - Christmas Oratorio - 12/11/08
New Orleans - Holiday Tea and Tour of Longue Vue - 12/11/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/12/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/13/08
New Orleans - Breakfast with Penguins - 12/13/08
New Orleans - Celebration in the Oaks Run Walk - 12/13/08
New Orleans - Concert - Christmas Oratorio - 12/13/08
New Orleans - Dig, Do, Discover: Holiday Scents and Sights from the Garden - 12/13/08
New Orleans - Winter Wonderland - 12/13/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/16/08
New Orleans - Holiday Tea and Tour of Longue Vue - 12/16/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/17/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/18/08
New Orleans - Holiday Tea and Tour of Longue Vue - 12/18/08
New Orleans - Tran-Siberian Orchestra Winter Tour 2008 - 12/18/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/19/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/20/08
New Orleans - Judith Owen and Harry Shearers Holiday Sing-A-Long with Special Guests - 12/20/08
New Orleans - Judith Owen and Harry Shearers Holiday Sing-A-Long with Special Guests - 12/20/08
New Orleans - Marcia Ball and BeauSoleil Michael Doucet - 12/20/08
New Orleans - Children's Holiday Cooking Workshop - 12/22/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/23/08
New Orleans - Holiday Tea and Tour of Longue Vue - 12/23/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/24/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/25/08
New Orleans - Marva Wright's Christmas Party - 12/25/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/26/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/27/08
New Orleans - Annual Christmas Exhibition - 12/30/08
New Orleans - Holiday Tea and Tour of Longue Vue - 12/30/08
New Orleans - Kids New Years Eve Celebration - 12/31/08
New Orleans - New Year's Eve With Galactic - 12/31/08
Ponchatoula - Downtown Ponchatoula Christmas Lighting - 12/5/08
Ponchatoula - Ponchatoula Christmas Parade - 12/13/08
Ruston - A Tuna Christmas - Comedy Play - 12/16/08
Ruston - Russtown Band Christmas - 12/19/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/4/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/5/08
Shreveport - AED Winter Sun Run 5K - 12/6/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/6/08
Shreveport - The Nutcracker - 12/6/08
Shreveport - The Nutcracker - 12/7/08
Shreveport - Happy Holidays - 12/8/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/9/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/10/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/11/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/12/08
Shreveport - Christmas in the Sky at Louisiana Downs - 12/13/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/13/08
Shreveport - Downtown Christmas Run - 12/16/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/16/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/17/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/18/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/19/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/20/08
Shreveport - Holiday Hop II - 12/20/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/23/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/24/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/25/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/26/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/27/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/30/08
Shreveport - Exhibition - Deck the Halls IV - 12/31/08
Slidell - Christmas Carol - 12/5/08
Slidell - Christmas Carol - 12/6/08
Slidell - Christmas Carol - 12/7/08
Slidell - Christmas Carol - 12/12/08
Slidell - Christmas Carol - 12/13/08
Slidell - Christmas Carol - 12/14/08
West Monroe - Many Moods of Christmas - 12/6/08
Westwego - The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - 12/6/08
Westwego - The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - 12/7/08

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