WILLIAMSBURG Colonial Williamsburg is kicking off the holiday season with its 74th Grand Illumination.

The event on Sunday will include fireworks, music and candlelit buildings.

The celebration begins in the afternoon with a variety of entertainment on multiple outdoor stages. The Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums also will provide 18th-century music appropriate to the season.

ALL YOU PEOPLE out there scrounging around today for last year's Christmas lights in your dark attics and musty closets, listen up. You should've gotten your acts together. Like Jane, Robert and Rich. They're done. That's right. Finished. Complete. Outta here. For weeks and weeks already, their front yards and homes have welcomed the holidays.  

What better gift to give the planet this holiday than to make your own celebration green,
Think about the presents you give, and about how you wrap them. Think about the food you choose to serve and how many miles the food travels to get here.
Think about your decorations. Which are green (and red) both literally and figuratively.

Staff and wire report
The holidays send television into overdrive with specials. What stands out? Here's a look at noteworthy programs:
Tuesday
Christmas would just have to be called off without a broadcast of "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town." Thankfully, that won't be necessary this year, because the classic airs tonight at 8 on ABC.
 
Wednesday

Freeze Santa's enemies with his water gun and stop the bad guys from ruining Christmas. Click the left and right arrow keys to move Santa left or right. Press the up key to make him jump, and press the spacebar to shoot.

Find more holiday fun on our holidays portal: hamptonroads.com/holidays

Help Santa Claus collect the presents ready for delivery on Christmas Eve. Use the mouse to draw a line. Click the green play button to get Santa going.

Find more holiday fun on our holidays portal: hamptonroads.com/holidays

By Jan Gaillard Correspondent BAYSIDE Christmas in the Country 2008 has a decidedly Victorian flavor this year. In its 46th year, the open house and bazaar hosted by Cape Henry Woman's Club will be held at Church Point Manor in Virginia Beach. Money generated from crafts and food sales will go toward providing scholarships for area students, both youth and adult.

By Omar L. Gallaga
Cox News Service

Santa Claus laid off 10 percent of his elfin staff this month. The jingle bell industry is seeking a government bailout. Fannie Mae can only afford to buy a pack of tube socks for Freddie Mac this year.

By Barbara Woerner Correspondent James Bergey III juggled taking orders, answering the phone and selling loaves of freshly baked pumpkin bread to customers at Bergey's Breadbasket Bakery & More on a recent Monday.

- Information via a press release A holiday tradition for 27 years, this popular event features more than 300 fine artisans from more than 20 states. Readers of Sunshine Artist Magazine just voted this show #25 in their "100 Best Arts and Crafts Shows in the USA" poll.