The last-minute Santa's guide

Friday
Dec 22, 2017 at 6:00 AM

By Ken RobertsCity Editor

It's down to crunch time for all the last-minute Santas out there. Here's answers to some common Christmas questions along with a few helpful hints that can make the holiday weekend a little less hectic.

Where can I get my gifts wrapped?:  Arts 'n Autism will be providing gift wrapping services in space 106 between Jos. A Bank and Justice at Midtown Village from noon until 4 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. All proceeds to go the Arts 'n Autism LIFEE Program for young adults. Prices vary according to the size of the gifts. All Wrapped Up, at the Belk men's/home/children's apparel between Hibbetts sporting goods and the Schaeffer Eye Center at University Mall, also offers last-minute gift wrapping. All Wrapped Up shares the mall's hours, 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Midtown Village is also offering gift wrapping this weekend. The store's hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Will we have a white Christmas?: If you're spending Christmas in the mountain West, northern New England and the far northern tier of the U.S., you could see a white Christmas, but for Tuscaloosa, the chance is just about zero. However, the National Weather Service predicts a pretty chilly Christmas Day for Tuscaloosa, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s, so you might have a good opportunity to show off that ugly Christmas sweater this year. Last-minute shoppers on Saturday should bring an umbrella since the chance of rain is 90 percent. Sunday should be partly sunny with highs in the 50s.

Where's Santa?: Kids can bring their wish lists to the jolly old elf this weekend at these locations in Tuscaloosa:

• Santa Claus will be at center court at University Mall, 1701 McFarland Blvd., for photos from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 3:30-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-5:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information about photo package prices, go to www.university-mall.com. Kids can also ride the mall's Holiday Express train for $3.

• Kris Kringle will be at the Gateway Innovation and Discovery Center at 2614 University Blvd. E, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday with complimentary hot chocolate.

• At Midtown Village, 1800 McFarland Blvd. E, Santa will be in space 106 between Jos. A Bank and Justice from noon until 4 p.m. Saturday. Parents can bring their own cameras for photos with Santa.

• St. Nick will also be at Holidays on the River at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, 2701 Jack Warner Parkway, which will be open from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Saturday. 

What else is there to do?:

• There will be a live Christmas nativity pageant at 7 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. nightly through Dec. 26 at 904 Princeton Place, Northport. The story of Christmas will be told in an outdoor setting featuring costumed actors, Christmas dancers, live animals and music. Free. Seating is available. Children may pet the animals after each showing.

• The Tinsel Trail features more than 150 live Christmas trees, decorated by local organizations, merchants and individuals, along the Riverwalk from the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater to River Market. It’s free to visit and lights up after dark until Jan. 14. For more information, go to www.ttowntinsel.com.

• Saturday will be the last day before Christmas to skate at Holidays on the River, the outdoor rink at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. The 60-by-100-foot rink will be open from 5-10 p.m. Friday with carriage rides and from 11a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday. The rink will be closed Sunday and Christmas Day.

• The famers markets offer a great place to find a one-of-a-kind gift idea or fresh vegetables for Christmas Day meals. The Northport Farmers Market will be open from 6 a.m.-noon Saturday at 4150 Fifth St., Northport and the Tuscaloosa Farmers Market will be open from 7 a.m.-noon Saturday at Tuscaloosa River Market, 1900 Jack Warner Parkway.  

• The Children's Hands-On Museum will host a Christmas Cow Party with Moosie from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday. Children can sing songs and carols and hear the story of Santa Cow. There will be a milk-and-cookies snack along with Christmas stories and holiday tales from musician and storyteller Riverboat John. Admission is $6 for 1- and 2-year-olds, $9 for 3- to 59-year-olds and $7 for those 60 years old and older. The museum is at 2213 University Blvd. For more information, go to www.chomonline.org.

Is there really a Santa Claus? Yes, Virginia.

Friday
Dec 22, 2017 at 6:00 AM

By Ken RobertsCity Editor

It's down to crunch time for all the last-minute Santas out there. Here's answers to some common Christmas questions along with a few helpful hints that can make the holiday weekend a little less hectic.

Where can I get my gifts wrapped?:  Arts 'n Autism will be providing gift wrapping services in space 106 between Jos. A Bank and Justice at Midtown Village from noon until 4 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. All proceeds to go the Arts 'n Autism LIFEE Program for young adults. Prices vary according to the size of the gifts. All Wrapped Up, at the Belk men's/home/children's apparel between Hibbetts sporting goods and the Schaeffer Eye Center at University Mall, also offers last-minute gift wrapping. All Wrapped Up shares the mall's hours, 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Midtown Village is also offering gift wrapping this weekend. The store's hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Will we have a white Christmas?: If you're spending Christmas in the mountain West, northern New England and the far northern tier of the U.S., you could see a white Christmas, but for Tuscaloosa, the chance is just about zero. However, the National Weather Service predicts a pretty chilly Christmas Day for Tuscaloosa, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s, so you might have a good opportunity to show off that ugly Christmas sweater this year. Last-minute shoppers on Saturday should bring an umbrella since the chance of rain is 90 percent. Sunday should be partly sunny with highs in the 50s.

Where's Santa?: Kids can bring their wish lists to the jolly old elf this weekend at these locations in Tuscaloosa:

• Santa Claus will be at center court at University Mall, 1701 McFarland Blvd., for photos from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 3:30-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-5:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information about photo package prices, go to www.university-mall.com. Kids can also ride the mall's Holiday Express train for $3.

• Kris Kringle will be at the Gateway Innovation and Discovery Center at 2614 University Blvd. E, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday with complimentary hot chocolate.

• At Midtown Village, 1800 McFarland Blvd. E, Santa will be in space 106 between Jos. A Bank and Justice from noon until 4 p.m. Saturday. Parents can bring their own cameras for photos with Santa.

• St. Nick will also be at Holidays on the River at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, 2701 Jack Warner Parkway, which will be open from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Saturday. 

What else is there to do?:

• There will be a live Christmas nativity pageant at 7 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. nightly through Dec. 26 at 904 Princeton Place, Northport. The story of Christmas will be told in an outdoor setting featuring costumed actors, Christmas dancers, live animals and music. Free. Seating is available. Children may pet the animals after each showing.

• The Tinsel Trail features more than 150 live Christmas trees, decorated by local organizations, merchants and individuals, along the Riverwalk from the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater to River Market. It’s free to visit and lights up after dark until Jan. 14. For more information, go to www.ttowntinsel.com.

• Saturday will be the last day before Christmas to skate at Holidays on the River, the outdoor rink at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. The 60-by-100-foot rink will be open from 5-10 p.m. Friday with carriage rides and from 11a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday. The rink will be closed Sunday and Christmas Day.

• The famers markets offer a great place to find a one-of-a-kind gift idea or fresh vegetables for Christmas Day meals. The Northport Farmers Market will be open from 6 a.m.-noon Saturday at 4150 Fifth St., Northport and the Tuscaloosa Farmers Market will be open from 7 a.m.-noon Saturday at Tuscaloosa River Market, 1900 Jack Warner Parkway.  

• The Children's Hands-On Museum will host a Christmas Cow Party with Moosie from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday. Children can sing songs and carols and hear the story of Santa Cow. There will be a milk-and-cookies snack along with Christmas stories and holiday tales from musician and storyteller Riverboat John. Admission is $6 for 1- and 2-year-olds, $9 for 3- to 59-year-olds and $7 for those 60 years old and older. The museum is at 2213 University Blvd. For more information, go to www.chomonline.org.

Is there really a Santa Claus? Yes, Virginia.

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