Lights, shopping, holiday action!

And, go!

Put up the garland, get out the lights. Hospitality Night is

around the corner, which means the time has come when it’s OK to

bring on the Christmas decor.

The Sawdust Winter Fantasy is a precursor, but it’s more of a

signal that it’s time to start the holiday shopping -- and what a

shopping trip that can be. Gifts seem to jump right at you for people

who are normally impossible to buy for.

But Hospitality Night, Dec. 3, with the chilly air, the sparkling

white lights and of course a Downtown visit from Santa and his

greyhounds, screams Christmas is here.

Plenty have heard that it isn’t all a joy for some shop owners who

have to deal with heavy crowds of the non-usual clientele, but most

handle the night well. They lay out hors d’oeuvres, stand by with

pleasant greetings and welcome visitors.

The fun is plentiful out in the street. Up and down Forest Avenue

there’s friends and neighbors, sometimes dancers, sometimes a

firetruck to examine and always plenty to view.

This year should prove to be as pleasant as the rest and hopefully

the event will continue on as a warm Laguna tradition.