For many of us who celebrate Christmas, the countdown is on:

• 13 days until the big guy squeezes his ample, red behind down every chimney and exhaust vent in every home, hotel and hostel in the world. *if you're on his "nice" list, of course
• 20 days until 2002 becomes part of yesteryear, and 2003 begins with a fresh start to New Year's resolutions we know we'll never keep.

So how are we gonna end this second year of the millennium with the bang it properly deserves? Well, here are a few suggestions to keep your holiday spirits up.

If you have a car, or know someone who does, I recommend driving through the residential areas of Portland and take in all the holiday lights adorning the houses. Some of these homeowners go all-out with nativity scenes, Santa Clauses, reindeer, Christmas trees and more. Popular scenic drives include the West Hills (from downtown, look West and voila!) and West Linn (take Hwy. 43/Macadam Avenue south from downtown about 15 miles). Not only will you see all the holiday lights, but both places also offer fantastic views of the city at night. And, except for the gas, it's free!

But for those who are feeling less like Santa and more like Scrooge, I recommend Oregon Ballet Theatre's "The Nut Has Finally Cracked," an hilarious parody of James Canfield's holiday classic, "The Nutcracker." In this nutty twist, the story becomes Peter's dream and Marie's nightmare. The party scene falls to shambles, the Rat King reigns supreme and super heroes come out of the woodworks. Performances will be held December 18, 27 and 28 at the Keller Auditorium at SW 3rd and Clay Streets. For more information, visit the Oregon Ballet Theatre's Web site at www.obt.org.

If you are fortunate enough to find yourself in Portland during the New Year, be sure to head down to Pioneer Courthouse Square. We have our own mini Times Square here in the heart of Portland, complete with our own flashy disco ball that will drop at exactly midnight. But the party begins long before we start counting down the seconds until midnight and start puckering our lips for that New Year's kiss. Gates open at 7 p.m. and Hit Explosion takes the stage at 9 p.m., performing 70s and 80s disco and dance hits for the masses. Admission to this end-of-the-year bash is free, so be prepared for crowds. Parking will sap all the holiday cheer from your soul, so you would be better off walking or fighting the smaller crowds on the Max Light Rail.

Portland features many events throughout the year. To find the activity that is right for you, read through the other pages in the Portland, Oregon Travel Guide or check out the Portland Visitor's Association's Calendar of Events. Happy holidays!

Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our North America Insiders page.