What's Open on Christmas Day?

If you're hungry, try Sushi Avenue, Bhojanic and Waffle House. If you need shampoo or toothpaste, CVS will be open.

What's Open on Christmas Day?

If you want to dine out Dec. 25 in Decatur and Avondale Estates, the pickins' are slim. On Christmas Eve, most restaurants are open, but with early closings.

Here's a sampling of restaurant and store hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Decatur and Avondale Estates. If we left out a business that's open Christmas Day, let us know in the comments box. OPEN ON CHRISTMAS DAY Sushi Avenue on the Square: This restaurant on the Decatur Square opens at 5 p.m. Christmas Day. The companion restaurant off West Ponce de Leon Avenue will be closed Christmas Day. Bhojanic: Open noon to 9 p.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Starbucks: Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Day. Open till 8 p.m. Christmas Eve. Waffle House: All restaurants in this chain will be open 24 hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, including the one at 2850 E. College Ave. in Avondale Estates. CVS: Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. …

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Christmas Fun Facts and Trivia

How much will we spend this year? And what's the best-selling Christmas song of all time? Find the answers below.

We know that there were three Wise Men, 12 days of Christmas and that Santa delivers all his presents around the world in one night. But did you know... $23,439.38  How much it would cost to buy your "true love" all the gifts in the 12 Day of Christmas . 12.9 billion hours, $447 billion How many hours Americans were expected to spend shopping, wrapping and returning gifts last year. That was about 42 hours and $688.87 per person.  Get your postman/postwoman a gift According to Hallmark, Christmas is the largest card-sending occasion . Nearly 1.5 billion cards are sent to friends and family every Christmas Season. (That's actually down 400 million cards since 2004.) $983 million The value of U.S. imports of Christmas tree ornaments from …

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Find Last-Minute Christmas Gifts in Decatur and Avondale Estates

If the holidays leave you with little time to shop for gifts, try these stores in Decatur and Avondale Estates for great last-minute gift ideas.

With all of the tree trimming, cookie baking and partygoing, there is so much to do during the holidays that it's easy to leave shopping for Christmas presents until the last minute. But by then, the malls and chain stores are usually chaotic and the mere thought of battling crowds is exhausting. Here are some ideas for easy gifts that can be bought locally and require little stress: Tell us: What are some of your own last-minute gift ideas? Share in the comments below. 

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Decatur Postpones Hanukkah Celebration To Wednesday

Bad weather led the City of Decatur to reschedule its celebration of the Festival of Lights to 6 p.m. Wednesday on the Court Square.

Update: Because of rain, the City of Decatur's Hanukkah celebration has been postponed until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12. The earlier story: This year, Hanukkah begins on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 8, and ends a week later on Sunday, Dec. 16. According to Chabad.org, Hanukkah starts on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev and lasts for eight days. For those of us who aren't attuned to the Jewish calendar, that translates to sundown on Saturday, Dec. 8.  The City of Decatur will hold its first Hanukkah celebration on the Court Square  at 6 p.m Monday, Dec. 10. The Decatur Focus says the event will feature foods like donuts and latkes, photo opportunities, hot drinks and special gifts for those who RSVP in advance to the Chabad Intown …

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Weekend Planner: The Holiday Edition

Enjoy the season with a one-man "Christmas Carol," "The Nutcracker," the tree lighting at Lake Avondale, the Atlanta Radio Theatre and Avondale Estates' tour of homes and holiday market.

This weekend is full of hoiday activities. Here are five big ones, but for a full listing check out the Calendar of Holiday Happenings or the Events calendar. 1. Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol': A Solo Performance by Mark Cabus. One actor plays all the parts--from Scrooge to Tiny Tim. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Agnes Scott College. $15. 2. The Nutcracker. The Callanwolde Dance Ensemble performs at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Decatur High Performing Arts Center, 310 N. McDonough St., Decatur. $12 general admission. 3. Avondale Lake Tree Lighting. Avondale Estates sure loves Christmas trees. One near city hall was plugged in Monday and the tree in the town lake will be lit up at 6 p.m. Saturday. It's a big …

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Avondale Estates Plugs In Christmas Tree Monday Night

Boy Scout Troop 6 will serve hot chocolate and cookies beginning at 6 p.m., and the Avondale First Baptist Church begins caroling at 6:30 p.m. with the Christmas tree lighting to follow. Cider and donuts will be served at 7:00 p.m.

A Calendar of Holiday Happenings

Here's a list of holiday-related events in Decatur and Avondale Estates. If we missed something, tell us in the comments box or post it in the Events Calendar.

Giving Tuesday: A Chance to Give Back During the Holiday Season

Atlanta-based CARE, Habitat for Humanity and Project GRAD Atlanta are among the nonprofits trying to encourage people to pause in their shopping and find a way to help others.

  Will donating to charity ever be as popular as shopping during the holiday season? A partnership of nonprofits hopes so. For many people, the holiday shopping marathon began on Thanksgiving day, with some national chains opening their doors just hours after the traditional turkey dinner. Then comes Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, which has morphed into Cyber Week. Now, there's a new campaign asking you to open your wallet _ Giving Tuesday. The Giving Tuesday website says the effort, coming on the heels of days devoted to consumerism, is designed "to create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season. It celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations." …

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What's Open on Thanksgiving Day

A few places are open to serve you in Decatur and Avondale Estates on this holiday, including Kroger, Ted's, Taco Mac, the Trackside Tavern and others.