And maybe don’t wear hairspray to the Southern Pines Christmas parade.
Friday
:: 5-6: Make the kids work for their sugar buzz at the annual Southern Pines Candy Cane Hunt at Memorial Park. The hunt is followed by crafts, an obstacle course and photos with Santa in the gym.
:: 6: Speaking of Scrooge, join in on his haunt at Barn Escape’s “The Ghosts of Christmas”-themed room.
:: 5-7:30: Pinehurst’s Christmas tree gets turned on, to the tune of Christmas carols. There will be cookie decorating, selfies with Santa, and food from Cold Stone Creamery, The Market Place and Chirba Chirba Dumplings. Lights come on at 6:30. Bring canned goods for a food drive.
Saturday
:: 8-noon: Don your antlers and ugly sweaters for the Reindeer Fun Run in downtown Aberdeen. Best costume gets an award. There’s on-site child care, kids races and games, too.
:: 11 until: The Southern Pines Christmas Parade. It’s probably the only one where you’ll get to see Santa twice (on both sides of Broad Street).
:: 10-4: Try not to get overwhelmed by the more than 2,500 handblown-glass ornaments for sale at STARworks. You break, you buy.
:: 3-7: Shop downtown Pinehurst while sipping on complimentary cocktails. Make sure to put some money in the hat for Family Promise, which helps fight local homeless — Pinehurst Business Partners will match all donations.
:: 6-8: Browse pottery from Seagrove artists at Sandhills Community College. Proceeds from tickets ($20), and 15% of sales will benefit the Northern Moore Family Resource Center.
Sunday
:: 1-4: Show your kids what Christmas was like when they had to be seen and not heard at the historic Bryant House and McLendon Cabin.
:: 2-5: Get a look into other people’s homes (without risk of a restraining order) during the Holiday Tour of Homes, in Carthage. Tickets are $10.
:: 3-4:30: Make a natural, rustic wreath guilt-free with grapevine, loblolly boughs, and pine cones sourced from Weymouth Woods. Free.
:: 6:45: See a bluegrass take on Christmas with Joel Newberry and April Verch at the Rooster’s Wife.
Monday
:: 7-9: Sandhills Community College holds its annual Christmas concert. It features the college choir, guitar ensemble and other acts. Free.
