It's that time of year again. Already stores are hauling out the Christmas decorations, and Santa Clauses have been spotted at a few shopping malls. And we're still munching on Halloween candy! Although the holiday season does not officially start until the day after Thanksgiving, many shoppers are taking advantage of the pre-holiday sales around town. So if you plan on buying souvenirs or holiday gifts for your friends and family back home, now is a good time to stock up.

For those travelers who want to avoid the crowds... good luck. It may be impossible to completely escape the "shopping gone amuck" syndrome that invariably accompanies the Season of Giving, but Portland does offer some enjoyable, less aggressive activities. My advice: head for the hills – wine country, that is.

Yamhill County Wineries will host their annual Wine Country Thanksgiving celebration November 29 through December 1. The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day of year for Oregon wineries, because some tasting rooms are only open to the public during this weekend. The crowds may seem daunting at first, but they tend to be more relaxed than the herds stampeding at the shopping malls. Most wineries offer tastes of their newest vintages, selections from more aged wines and an array of meats and cheeses to choose from. Some wineries do charge a tasting fee.

The best way to experience the wine country is to rent a car with a small group of people. That way you get to choose which wineries to visit and the duration of each visit. Contact the Yamhill County Wineries for a map of wineries and driving directions. They will also provide open hours for the tasting rooms.

However, if you do not have a car, Yamhill County Wineries also offers tour packages for singles, couples and small groups. Many of the tours will pick you up in the Portland Metro Area and some at the pick-up location of your choice. Duration of the tours varies from half a day to a full day and even several days. They will provide information on best places to stay in the area for longer visits. Thanksgiving tours are the most popular and most expensive. If you go that route, book your tour reservation early.

If you prefer to stay within the city limits however, Portland has many exciting events lined up for November.

• That galaxy far, far away is not so far away as you might think. Last Spring's blockbuster, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, released in Portland's OMNIMAX Theatre November 1. The film has been reformatted by the IMAX projection system to fit the 5-story, 100-foot domed screen, the largest format in the movie industry. The frame is 10 times larger than the standard 35mm frame and fills most of the viewers' peripheral vision, throwing you right into the midst of the movie. You'll really feel the Force here.

• But for those history buffs who would rather learn about events in this galaxy, OMNIMAX also features Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West. The film follows the journey Meriwether Lewis and William Clark made from Illinois to the Pacific Ocean that opened up the possibilities of Western expansion for later pioneers. This is a great way to learn about some of the history of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

• What do you get when you throw together opera, rock, laser lights, Christmas and a man with a vision? The edgiest Christmas show since Jingle Bell Rock. Since their 1995 release of Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24, Trans-Siberian Orchestra's rock-opera has reinvented traditional Christmas music. The hard rock edge they add to the music will make your heart vibrate and the hairs on your body stand on end. Trans-Siberian Orchestra has launched a nationwide tour this holiday season that will bring them to Portland's Rose Garden Dec. 8. Tickets went on sale at Ticketmaster Nov. 2 and cost $29.50 to $39.50. Get your tickets early, because they will go fast.

• And if you're really in the holiday spirit, bundle up in your favorite winter coat and head down to Pioneer Courthouse Square for Portland's annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. Visitors and natives alike make the yearly journey downtown to view this impressive, several-story high tree decked out with garlands, ornaments and lights. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29, following the Meier & Frank Holiday Parade.

Portland is fun, beautiful and exciting during the holidays. There is plenty to see and do. Just watch out for those aggressive consumers who think shopping is a full-contact sport. Yikes!

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