Are you ready for the holidays? Don't worry about a thing; we've got suggestions of fun, festive things to do in Washtenaw County; recipe ideas for gatherings with family and friends; possibilities on how you can lend a hand to local families; and other tips to help the season run smoothly.

Pedestrians make their way across a bright and chilly Main Street in Ann Arbor in December 2008.

Leisa Thompson | Ann Arbor News file photo

Recipe ideas • Lend a hand • Helpful hints • Travel tools

FESTIVE EVENTS Looking for fun events to enjoy during the December holidays? Try these happenings around Washtenaw County.

Stage

• "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by The Saline Area Players • "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by The Chelsea Area Players Youth Theater • "A Christmas Carol" at Liberty School Auditorium (Old Saline Middle School) • "Christmas Carol'd" at Performance Network • Children’s dance concerts: "Cinderella" at Pease Auditorium, EMU • "Cinderella" by Ypsilanti Area Dancers • "If Only In My Dreams" at Blackbird Theatre/Shaut Cabaret • Prokofiev's Classical Ballet: "Cinderella" at Pease Auditorium, EMU • "The Nutcracker" by Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre • "The Nutcracker" by The Youth Dance Theatre of Michigan • "The Prince, the Wolf and the Firebird" at Quirk Theatre, EMU

Other ongoing events

• "A Boychoir Christmas" • AnnArbor.com "Deck the House" holiday home decorating contest • Celebrate the Holiday Season with Beckett at Borders Books and Music • "Father Christmas" at River Gallery • "German Family Christmas" at Kempf House Museum • Grinchfest at Borders Books and Music • The Painted Trout Holiday Open House • Two Twelve Arts Center Holiday Sale • Wild Wonderful Winter at Matthaei Botanical Gardens • Win a free holiday meal at Whole Foods Market

Friday, December 4

• Kerrytown's first KindleFest • Midnight Madness on South Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor • Midnight Madness at Kerrytown • Caroling with the Smiling Duck Puppets at Common Cup • The Common Chords holiday concert at Chelsea District Library • "Father Christmas" Opening Reception at River Gallery • Moonlight Madness Craft Show at Saline Middle School • Stress Free Holidays at Ann Arbor Recreation & Education • Tree lighting ceremony in downtown Chelsea • Tree lighting ceremony in downtown Saline

Friday, December 4-Saturday, December 5

• Annual winter festivals in Chelsea, Dexter Milan and Saline • Annual Holiday Fair St. Luke's Episcopal Church • Midnight Madness on South Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor • Ypsilanti Starlight Shopping Spree in downtown Ypsilanti

Friday, December 4-Sunday, December 6

• Boar's Head Festival at Concordia University • Hometown Holiday Weekend in downtown Chelsea

Saturday, December 5

• All The Trimmings Holiday Show at Chelsea Community Fairgrounds • Breakfast with Santa at American Legion Post #419 • Children's Holiday Party at Kempf House Museum • Craft Bazaar and Bake Sale at St. Paul United Church of Christ • Dexter Area Museum's Annual Holiday Bazaar at Dexter Area Historical Society & Museum • Downtown Home & Garden Annual Christmas Party • Evening of Sacred Song: A Celebration of Peace, Community, and Spirit at St. Clare's Episcopal Church • Family Latke Hop at Jewish Community Center • Friends of Nephrology Holiday Concert at University of Michigan Hospitals Complex • Holiday Goodie & Craft Sale at Marble Memorial Church • Holiday Light Parade in downtown Chelsea • Holiday Photo Sessions in the Conservatory at Matthaei Botanical Gardens • Home For The Holidays Christmas Festival in downtown Dexter • Hometown Holidays: Gingerbread Houses at Chelsea District Library • Masterpieces revealed: Handel's "Messiah" at Hill Auditorium • Holiday Art Sale at MoonWinks Cafe • Holiday Parade in downtown Milan • Shadow Art Fair at Corner Brewery • The Sounds of Classical Bells at Ann Arbor District Library • The Spirit of Christmas Future - Saline’s 34th Annual Holiday Parade • Teen Chef: Food Gifts for the Holidays at Ann Arbor Cooks • Today's Brass Quintet - Annual Croissant Holiday Concert at Kerrytown Concert House

Saturday, December 5-Sunday, December 6

• Handel's "Messiah" at Hill Auditorium • Holiday Home Tour in downtown Ypsilanti • Potters Guild of Ann Arbor Holiday Sale • Sugar Plum Fairy Tea at Chelsea High School Performing Arts Complex

Saturday, December 5 & Saturday, December 12

• Gingerbread House: 101 at Whole Foods Market | More

Saturday, December 5-Sunday, December 13

• 4-H Advisory Council Christmas Tree Sales at Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds

Sunday, December 6

• Alternative Holiday Fair at First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor • Ann Arbor Civic Chorus concert at Forsythe Auditorium • Christmas Ship Concert with Lee Murdock at The Ark • Classical Music Concert at Chelsea Depot Association Inc. • Community Christmas Breakfast at St. Mary's Catholic Parish • Fiddlers ReStrung's Holiday Hometown Concert at Ellen Ewing Performing Arts Center of Saline High School • "Forty Seven Stories of Jesus" book talk at Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tearoom • Gift-Fest 2009 at Pittsfield Grange • Hanukah Tasting at Whole Foods Market • Holiday Crafts Play Day with Clementine Art at Whole Foods Market • The Saline New Horizons Band at Marble Memorial Church • Take Note @ YDL Concert Series: Paul Keller Ensemble at Ypsilanti District Library • TubaChristmas at University of Michigan Diag • Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert at Towsley Auditorium, WCC

Tuesday, December 8

• Home for the Holidays: Dessert Open House at Ann Arbor Cooks

Wednesday, December 9

• Holiday Centerpieces with Gigi at Chelsea District Library • Talk of the Neighborhood: Artisan Night at Recreation Park Community Center (Ypsilanti Senior Center) • Tween and Teen Gifts for the Holidays at Chelsea District Library

Thursday, December 10

• Beer Tasting: Holiday Specialties at Arbor Brewing Company • Christmas Church Tour at Chelsea District Library • Holiday Violin Recital at University of Michigan Hospitals Complex • Home for the Holidays: Dinner Party Buffet at Ann Arbor Cooks • Wines That Make Great Gifts at Whole Foods Market

Friday, December 11

• Adoration and Praise II at Pease Auditorium, EMU • Concordia University Christmas Concert • Holiday Potluck & Gift Exchange for Singles at NEW Center • Stories with Santa at Saline Cooperative Preschool

Saturday, December 12

• 45th Annual Handel's "Messiah" Sing-Along at St. Clare's Episcopal Church • Christmas Yesterday & Today Concert at University Lutheran Church • Classical Bells Rings in the Holidays in Dexter at St. Andrew's United Church of Christ • Cookie Walk at First United Methodist Church • Food Gifts from the Kitchen at Ann Arbor Cooks • HARC Holiday Bowl at Colonial Lanes Bowling Center • Holiday Open House at Ypsilanti District Library • Sample the Season at Whole Foods Market • Sing Along with Santa at Bethlehem United Church of Christ • Solstice Celebration at Matthaei Botanical Gardens • Treasure Trail to Santa at Busch's Shopping Center • Wrap It Up! Create Your Own Wrapping Paper and Tags at Ann Arbor District Library

Saturday, December 12-Sunday, December 13

• Celebrate Christmas 1930’s Style at Recreation Park Community Center (Ypsilanti Senior Center) • Holiday Studio Sale at Kate Tremel Studio

Saturday, December 12 & Sunday, December 20

• Holiday Menu Tasting at Whole Foods Market

Sunday, December 13

• A Christmas Sing featuring Ariel & Zoey (Eli, too) at Michigan Theater • Dexter Community Band- Holiday Concert at Dexter High School • Community Read-Aloud: Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" at Concordia University • Concert for Peace at The Ark • "It's a Wonderful Life" at Michigan Theater • Santa Central at Hudson Mills Metropark

Monday, December 14

• Scottish Country Dancing: Holiday Edition at Gretchen's Barn • University Philharmonia Orchestra at Hill Auditorium

Monday, December 14-Thursday, December 17

• Kids' Gingerbread House Workshop at Ann Arbor Cooks

Tuesday, December 15

• Ypsilanti Community Band and Ypsilanti Community Choir at Pease Auditorium, EMU • The Divine Language of Music at St. Clare's Episcopal Church • Healthy Holiday at Ellen Thompson Women's Health Center

Wednesday, December 16

• Holiday Business Expo and Lunch at Weber's Inn • Talk of the Neighborhood: Book Choices for the Child You Love at Recreation Park Community Center (Ypsilanti Senior Center)

Wednesday, December 16-Thursday, December 17

• ‘Twas the Evening Before Christmas Storytime at Chelsea District Library

Thursday, December 17

• Dobbins, Krahnke, Weed Trio WSG Shahida Nurullah: A Merrier Christmas at Kerrytown Concert House • Intergenerational Chanukah Celebration at Jewish Community Center • Riders In The Sky: Christmas the Cowboy Way at The Ark • Seasonal Harmonies with Counterpoint at University of Michigan Hospitals Complex

Friday, December 18

Holiday Variety Show - Ebird and Friends at The Yellow Barn

Friday, December 18-Saturday, December 19

• The Black House Ceilidh at Kerrytown Concert House • Happy Holly Days Singles Dance Party at Grotto Club

Saturday, December 19-Sunday, December 20

• Crossroads Ceili at The Ark

Sunday, December 20

• Family Dance at Pittsfield Grange • Heaven and Earth: VAE with Brass at Genesis of Ann Arbor • Service for the Longest Night at First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor • Taste of the Season at Whole Foods Market

Monday, December 21

• Celebrate The Winter Solstice at Ann Arbor District Library • Factory presents Dark Noel at Necto • Holiday Movie Matinee: "Hotel for Dogs" at Ypsilanti District Library

Tuesday, December 22

• English Country Dance and Winter Solstice Party at Chapel Hill Condominium Clubhouse &bull Holiday Movie Matinee: "Mary Poppins" at Ypsilanti District Library

Wednesday, December 23

• Holiday Movie Matinee: "Hannah Montana: The Movie" at Ypsilanti District Library

Thursday, December 24

• Christmas Eve Concert with Aaron Tan at First Presbyterian Church of Ypsilanti • Christmas Eve Service at Eagle Crest Resort • Jazz of The Season with Jake Reichbart at University of Michigan Hospitals Complex

Want more local ideas? Browse the AnnArbor.com events calendar.

Flickr user Timlewisnm

Festive events • Lend a hand • Helpful hints • Travel tools

RECIPE IDEAS Plan your holiday menu with these recipes and resources, from our contributors and elsewhere:

Appetizers

• Bruschetta with fava bean spread • Karen's "hot ryes" • Stuffed apricots with mascarpone and pistachios • Wild mushroom paté

Salads & sides

• Butternut squash and wild mushroom risotto cakes • Gingered three-apple salad • Mashed potato and mushroom casserole • Portobello-barley soup • Portobello stuffed with mashed potatoes • Potatoes au gratin • Roasted brussels sprouts with parmesan • Root vegetable gratin • Salad with pears, pomegranate seeds and pistachios • Savory stuffed mushrooms • Sweet potato-pear soup

Main dishes

• Cider-glazed chicken breasts with apples and pears • Crispy corn trout • Butternut squash risotto with seared scallops • Pasta and seafood marinara • "Chicken" piccata • Pork medallions with pears in mustard-Riesling sauce • Pork roast with rosemary and garlic • Quinoa with chicken and roasted vegetables • Sausage casserole • Seared pork chops with apples and chutney • Seared salmon with balsamic glaze • Stuffed shells with spinach and ricotta • Vegetable casseroles • Walnut-crusted walleye

Desserts & snacks

• Apple crisp • Apple, pear and dried cherry crumble • Fresh figs with honey-goat cheese spread • Glazed fig and yogurt cake • Jamaican Christmas cake • Sanders-style bumpy cupcakes

Middle school students from Fortis Academy assemble food baskets for Fortis families that are going through a difficult time during the holiday season.

Ann Arbor News file photo

Festive events • Recipe ideas • Helpful hints • Travel tools

LEND A HAND Celebrate the spirit of the season by offering donations and other support.

Local charity/benefit events

• Continues through Sunday, December 6: Rockin' for the Hungry at Busch's • Continues through Thursday, December 24: Red Kettle Campaign Kickoff at Briarwood Mall • Saturday, December 5: Ypsilanti Area Jaycees Bowl-a-thon at Maplewood Lanes • Sunday, December 6: Community Christmas Breakfast at St. Mary's Catholic Parish • Tuesday, December 8: Red Cross Benefit Comedy Show at Blind Pig • Sunday, December 13: All Things Good for Giving: Free Gift Wrap and Green Gift Wrap Demonstration at Whole Foods Market • Saturday, December 19: Gifts for the Greater Good and Free Gift Wrap at Whole Foods Market • Warm the Children holiday campaign

Find area nonprofits you can help at VolunteerMatch.

HELPFUL HINTS

Zachary Bernstein, 7, left, and Hava Kaplan, 8, demonstrate the tradition of lighting candles on the menorahs placed in the window of the Bernstein family's home during Hanukkah of 2006.

Lon Horwedel | Ann Arbor News file photo

Festive events • Recipe ideas • Lend a hand • Travel tools

• Chanukah: Eco-friendly ideas | Fun for kids | Recipes
• Christmas: Crafts & activities | Eco-friendly ideas | Party themes
• Kwanzaa: Crafts & activities | Recipes | Traditions
• Yule: Crafts & activities | Meditation | Recipes
• AnnArbor.com Holiday Gift Guide
• Holiday TV calendar
• Incorporating diverse holidays into your winter traditions
• Safety tips for the holidays
• Stress, depression and the holidays
• Top 10 wines for the holiday season
• Ultimate green holidays guide

Flickr user PMarkham

Festive events • Recipe ideas • Lend a hand • Helpful hints

TRAVEL TOOLS Going out of town for the holidays? These tools will help plan your trip:

• AAA Fuel Gauge Report • Google Maps • Michigan.org • Michigan Recreation & Camping • Rand McNally TripMaker® Planning Tool • TripIt travel itinerary and trip planner • Weather forecasts

Chrysta Cherrie is the entertainment producer/copy editor for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at chrystacherrie@annarbor.com or 734-623-2526, and follow her on Twitter @chrystacherrie.