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I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to spend it with your family and friends. We took a trip to Mankato to spend the day with my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law. Normally I get a little anxious knowing that I have a day of sitting in front of the television and doing not much other than filling my face.

I don't know what was different this year, but for some reason, I was so happy to just sit around and be with my family. When I sit for long periods, I tend to get restless. But yesterday, I couldn't be more happy doing nothing. Maybe I have finally reached that age where just talking is more gratifying than physical activity, or maybe I just realized how special my family really is to me.

One of our great local salons is doing something really special this Christmas season. Michelle, and all the great people at Designers Salon and Spa, are once again holding their annual "Christmas Stockings for our Troops" campaign. They are asking the community to help fill 35 Christmas stockings with items that our soldiers can use and appreciate.

Because of the logistics of mailing over seas, the stockings have to be mailed out by December 5. Items on soldiers wish lists are new/used paperback books, word puzzles, socks, hand held games, and bags of candy to name a few. Just bring your presents into Designers and they will make sure a deserving soldier enjoys them by Christmas.

Make sure you grab your kids and your camera and head to Taylors Falls this weekend. The city is holding its 25th Annual Lighting Festival, and they hope you can come. The theme of this year's festival is "Sharing Simple Pleasures Under the Stars" and is based around filling the local food shelves.

Beginning Friday, there will be activities such as touring the Folsom House that is decorated to the nines for Christmas. There is booya available at Romayne's, the Pleasant Valley Cloggers will be performing at 5:30 in downtown, and then at 6 p.m., Santa and friends will be on hand for the Grand Lighting of the Village. Make sure you make it out for this one because there is a parade that accompanies the Grand Lighting.

On Saturday, there is a craft fair at the Community Center, tours of the Folsom house and the Holman-Hobbs-Young house. There is a bake sale at the Methodist Church. Also at the Methodist Church, Marilyn Mays and Jim Walker will present "A Christmas Quilt" . Stick around at the Church and listen to the beautiful sounds of the Ecumenical Choral Vespers who start their concert at 4:30 p.m. Finally, grab your blotter and head back to the Community Center for a night of Bingo.

Sunday the Lighting Festival finishes up with a concert by the St. Croix Valley Orchestra at 3 p.m. at the Methodist Church. Mike Lynch, WCCO radio meteorologist, would like to invite your family to the Taylors Falls Elementary School at 6 p.m. He will be hosting a star watch party where you will learn about the stars and constellations. Make sure to bring your lawn chair and dress accordingly.

I hope you had a chance to see our 2009 Holiday Gift Guide in last weekend's Search Shopper. We are very proud of how wonderfully it turned out. Thanks again to all the great advertisers who took part in this year's gift guide. Make sure you take a look at the guide, it is filed with great ideas and local businesses really can ease the burden of finding that perfect gift this Christmas.

Speaking of the Gift Guide, kids, make sure you cut out and color our Christmas tree for our coloring contest. Have your parents either drop the artwork off here at the Press or send them to PO Box 748, Lindstrom, MN 55045. We will be giving out prizes for kids in three different age categories. Good luck!

If you are looking for a great Christmas present for your family or friends, I think I can help you out. What about a year's subscription to the Chisago County Press? Think about it, your gift will arrive 52 times a year. On top of that, they will get all of the news, school events, sports information every week of the year. Right now we have a special for new subscribers, The special includes two free months when you purchase a year's subscription. How can you go wrong? If you would like to subscribe, or if you would like to give the County Press as a present this Christmas, please give us a call at 651-257-5115.

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