All things Christmas: a parade, a play and lights to put you in a holiday mood

The holiday season is now in full swing and there are lots of Christmasy-type events the whole family can enjoy this weekend. Check at the end of this column for some nifty gift wrapping hacks that are easy and super cute. Remember, there are only 20 days left until Christmas. Are you ready?

Stuff to do:

Friday

• 6:30 p.m. The annual River Radio Lighted Christmas Parade gets underway to fill Downtown Poplar Bluff with sights and sounds of the holidays. The parade begins on Cheshire Boulevard and winds past the Black River Coliseum and through Downtown Poplar Bluff.

Friday and Saturday

• 7 p.m. “A Christmas Carol, a Live Radio Play” at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on the campus of Three Rivers College. Mike Malone directs this Center Stage production of Tony Palermo’s faithful adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic story of Christmas, memory and redemption. This script is true to Dickens language and theme. It also features authentic orchestral Victorian Christmas carols, spooky ghost music and manual sound effects. Tickets are $5 at the box office or online at www.tinnin.ticketleap.com . Saturday, Dec. 6, performance at 7 p.m.

All weekend

• The Festival of Lights at Wappapello Lake auto tour is now open from 6-9 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights through Dec. 30 at the Redman Creek Campground off Highway T. Lots of lighted seasonal display to please kids of all ages and sure to put anyone in the Christmas spirit.

It’s a wrap!

I know, I know... who has time to wrap? It’s too much trouble and expensive. Don’t just pop everything in a gift bag, there are plenty of hacks that will make your wrap game easy and inexpensive.

• Short on paper? Head to the kitchen and snatch up the huge roll of aluminum foil hiding in the cupboard to dress up some of your gifts. The best part? You are reusing products you already have and creating a cost effective way to generate less waste.

• Candy as bows? My son loves those rainbow colored candies whose name rhymes with “littles.” Use your loved ones favorite single serve candy bags and tie the package in the middle. Voila! Instant bow and a tasty treat.

• Organic is the way to go. Instantly dress up any gift with a snip of pine or another festive greenery. Scope out your backyard to hunt for pinecones or boughs. Be careful not to damage the plants or trees when cutting snippets. The recipient of your gift will enjoy the fragrance and the non-traditional topper is a nice break from a paper or fabric bow.

Whatever you choose, have some fun checking off your own to-do list this weekend.

Email suggestions for the to-do list to news@darnews.com or write to me at Daily American Republic, c/o To-Do List, PO Box 7, Poplar Bluff MO 63902.