A year of financial turmoil can put a crimp in your holiday planning.
The past year has been marked by downsizings, home foreclosures, skyrocketing fuel prices, (Chapter 11 filings) and meltdowns in world financial markets. It's enough to make you appreciate George Bailey's cash-strapped panic attack on Christmas Eve in the perennial broadcasts of It's a Wonderful Life.
But don't go throwing yourself into the Chattahoochee with the hopes that an old man in a nightshirt claiming to be an angel will jump in to save you. Christmas hasn't been canceled (as of this writing), and financial pinch notwithstanding, the holidays will arrive in Atlanta on schedule. Here's a guide to this year's major seasonal festivities, along with low-to-no DIY alternatives for the cost-conscious reveler.
THE PINK PIG
No joke: For native Atlantans, this is one of the city's best-loved, most enduring traditions of any time of year. Started in 1953, the Pink Pig was originally a kid-sized, swine-shaped monorail at the old Rich's department store downtown. Over the decades, it's evolved and changed location; it's now a low-impact ride on a porcine trolley through "a storybook village in a 1950s-themed tent" at Macy's Lenox Square upper-level parking deck. Through Jan. 4. $3. Hours vary. 3393 Peachtree Road. 404-231-2800. www.macys.com/campaign/pinkpig/index.jsp.
DIY alternative: "Borrow" a shopping cart from a local merchandiser. Lend it a piggy aspect by attaching a cardboard toilet paper tube in the front for the snout, and a twisted pipe cleaner (or bedspring) in the back for the curly tail. Put your kid(s) inside and give 'em a push. If you live on a hilly street, pillows and bicycle helmets may be a good idea. If you have many children in your neighborhood, you could make a seasonal business out of it.
LIGHTING OF THE GREAT TREE
Dating back to 1947, this even older Atlanta tradition also takes place at Lenox Square, where locals gather for a holiday concert, sing Christmas carols and to cheer at the lighting of the 75-foot cut pine tree. Guests at the 61st annual celebration include pop singer Jewel, Broadway star Heather Headley and Cirque du Soleil. Plan accordingly: 100,000 visitors are expected to attend. Nov. 27, 7 p.m. Free. 3393 Peachtree Road. 770-913-5639. www.lenoxsquare.com.
DIY alternative: Invite neighbors to your front lawn, and then climb onto your roof for the "Lighting of the Great Branch." If you live in a neighborhood without many trees, consider the "Lighting of the Great 2-by-4" or the "Lighting of the Great Old Broomstick." A little lighter fluid will ensure that the spectacle will have enough "flash capacity" for the crowd to go "Ooo! Aaah!" Plus, fire safety adds to the Christmas spirit: When you spray the fire extinguisher, exclaim to the children, "Look! It's snowing!"
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Adaptations of Charles Dickens' yuletide classic are ubiquitous and will be playing at area theaters such as the Shakespeare Tavern, Academy Theatre, Renaissance Project and Roswell's Kudzu Playhouse – and that doesn't even include the showtune spoof A Broadway Christmas Carol at Stone Mountain's ART Station, the gay-themed A Queer Carol at Theatre Decatur, and the improvised "deconstruction" Invasion: Christmas Carol at Dad's Garage. The biggest version – the Scrooge of Scrooges, if you will – remains the Alliance Theatre's lavish musical adaptation, now in its 19th year. Chris Kayser plays famed skinflint Ebenezer Scrooge for the 16th time, leading a cast of 24 Atlanta actors in the multi-culti musical extravaganza adapted by David H. Bell and directed by Rosemary Newcott. Nov. 28-Dec. 24. $21-$45. Thurs., 7 p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-5000. www.alliancetheatre.org.
DIY alternative: Use your favorite low-cost means of inducing hallucinations – for a seasonal touch, try huffing red and green markers, or overdosing on nutmeg like convicts – to conjure up your own ghostly visitors. Depending on your location, address family members or co-workers as the "Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come" and the like. They'll probably be happy to browbeat you into changing your ways.
THE NUTCRACKER
Once again, the Fox Theatre hosts the Atlanta Ballet's production of The Nutcracker, in which sugar plums and other foodstuffs dance while mice wage war on toy soldiers. If your kids aren't watching the classic Christmas ballet, chances are they're in it: The Atlanta Ballet makes room for more than 250 of Atlanta's young dancers. Artistic director John McFall choreographs the holiday standard. Dec. 5-28. $15-$85. Times vary. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. 404-817-8700. www.atlantaballet.com.
DIY alternative: First, catch a bunch of rodents and let them get good and hungry. Make your own toy soldiers and Nutcracker characters out of nuts, candy or table scraps and put them in formation under your Christmas tree. Find a broadcast of the ballet on the TV or radio. Then, re-enact The Nutcracker's big battle scene by letting the rodents loose under the tree. The "mouse soldiers" might really tear into enemies made of cheese. See how your own rat king fares in a duel with a working nutcracker. Hint: You should probably wear some sturdy gloves for this.
STONE MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS
The pageantry at Stone Mountain Park includes a parade at the Crossroads Village (which features 2 million Christmas lights), a "4-D" screening of The Polar Express, and two live shows called A Hometown Holiday and Kickin' Up Christmas. This year, the Stone Mountain snow angel will swoop in to sprinkle snow and fireworks. Through Dec. 30. $17-$20. Times and dates vary. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. U.S. 78 East, Exit 8. 800-401-2407. www.stonemountainpark.com.
DIY alternative: If you can't go to the mountain, bring the mountain to you by creating the largest possible pile of rocks or gravel in your living room. Sing Christmas carols while pointing as many flashlights and laser pointers as you can at the "mountain," and stomp on bubble-wrap for that simulated fireworks sound. If you have a pet, dress it up as the snow angel and watch it chase the laser pointer.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE ASO
An Atlanta tradition for more than five decades, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's 2008 holiday show features director of choruses Norman Mackenzie leading more than 400 singers and musicians, including the Atlanta Symphony Chorus, the Morehouse College Glee Club and the Gwinnett Young Singers. Listen out for the Hallelujah Chorus, which is basically this show's "Freebird." Dec. 11-13, 8 p.m. $34-$62. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org.
DIY alternative: If your budget includes a cell phone and an Internet connection, download holiday song ring tones, or just learn how to play songs via touch tone on your phone's key pad. Did you know that the beginning of "Jingle Bells," for instance, is "333 333 39 123"? Gather as many friends as you can for the Chorus of the Cell Phones.
CALLAWAY GARDENS
FANTASY IN LIGHTS
The Pine Mountain resort is about an hour's drive southwest of Atlanta, but it features one of Georgia's largest holiday-themed attractions. The Fantasy in Lights unfolds as a five-mile drive through the wooded grounds and includes numerous holiday scenes such as the "March of the Toy Soldiers," "Swan Lake," "12 Days of Christmas" and "The Nativity," each with its own sound system. Visitors can use cars or the park's trolley to enjoy the outdoor light show, which includes an estimated 8 million lights – so take that, Stone Mountain. Through Dec. 30. $8-$22. 6 p.m. 17800 U.S. 27, Pine Mountain. 800-225-5292. www.callawaygardens.com.
DIY alternative: Turn rush hour into your own personal "Fantasy in Traffic Lights" by covering your car's windows in clear plastic wrap in seasonal colors. From your point of view, the festive tint of the headlights and brake lights from the gridlocked motorists will turn any traffic jam into a spectacle of delight. Affix Christmas tree ornaments to the dashboard and hang pine branches from the ceiling to simulate the experience of driving through a winter wonderland.
Hard Times Holiday Guide 2008
Times are tough and they're fixin' to get tougher. That's why we decided to institute the Creative Loafing holiday bailout plan. We may not have $700 billion, but we've got heaps of ideas on how to make the most of seasonal celebrations while asking little of your wallet. Our features include DIY alternatives to some of Atlanta's most beloved holiday...
Handmade gift how-to from Christy Petterson, Indie Craft Experience co-founder
Plus a Q&A with the artist
Handmade gift how-to from Shannon Mulkey, Indie Craft Experience co-founder
Plus a Q&A with the artist
Where to shop locally without dropping a lot of cash
Money's tight. How are you going to get everyone on your shopping list interesting gifts that don't break the bank? The answer is: Shop where you're going to get the most bang for your buck-and-a-half. The goal is to find tchochtkes and presents that are so unique, they'll distract the recipient from how little money you actually spent. It doesn't...
Volunteer Janet Katz celebrates 20 years of good deeds with Scottish Rite
Janet Katz always makes it a point to greet people with a smile. It's one of the simplest ways to comfort frantic patients and their families as a volunteer at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. "Even if you have someone that comes in and can't speak English, you smile and you take them where they need to go....
Holiday bike tours of lights
Gas ain't cheap and you spend enough time in your car as it is, so why not break out the ol' two-wheeler for a spin through Atlanta to check out holiday light displays? The Southern Bicycle League holds its annual Christmas Light Ride Thurs., Dec. 18, at 6:30 p.m. The route changes each year depending where the most eye-dazzling displays...
Ted Allen's budget-friendly holiday entertaining tips
Ted Allen is best-known for his role as the foodie on Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," as well as his stint as a judge on "Top Chef," where he was a big fan of Atlanta's Richard Blais. Allen's an entertaining guru and a prolific author. He visited Atlanta a few weeks ago as a brand ambassador for Robert...
Top five ways to see concerts on the cheap
1) LOITER AT CRIMINAL RECORDS With weekly in-store performances from touring and local bands, the only thing missing is a cooler full of PBR. Visit www.criminal.com for scheduled performances. Other in-store performance venues include Moods Music in Little Five Points and the Apple Store at Lenox Mall. 2) GRAB AN OPEN MIC Make your own dang music. Eddie's Attic in...
