Christmas in Alaska: Get into the holiday spirit by attending events across the state.

• Author: Pilkington, Steve
• Position: Alaska This Month - Brief Article

December in Alaska is a special time and there are many ways to get into the spirit of the season.

If you live at the North Pole, or plan to visit there, you can begin the Christmas celebration with a candle-lighting service on Dec. 3, which includes a tree-lighting ceremony, caroling and other Yuletide events. This is a busy time for the U.S. Postal Service there as well, with hundreds of letters arriving each day for Santa and his elves.

Much of the first part of this month, of course, is spent on preparation. If you live in or around Seward, or just happen to be passing through, you can take a shot at getting the perfect Christmas tree for your hearth and help a good cause at the same time during the annual Christmas Tree Auction which runs from Dec. 1 to Dec. 8. All you have to do is stop by the Resurrection Bay Galerie(sic) and place your bid on a tree. Proceeds from the auction benefit the Providence Alaska Foundation. For more information, or to donate a tree to the auction to help out, call (907) 224-3212.

The weekend of the Dec. 7-8 is a busy time for Christmas events. In Palmer, there is a sure seasonal winner with the Colony Christmas. This is a two-day old-fashioned country Christmas full of heartwarming family activities, including a crafts fair, snow sculptures, a lighted parade, horse-drawn sleigh and wagon rides, Christmas caroling and a community tree lighting. The festival is ended with a blast of fireworks and a community bonfire. There is plenty to get you into the mood and to help you forgot about the holiday shopping crowds.

The Colony Christmas is organized by the Palmer Chamber of Commerce. For more information call (907) 745-2880 or check out the activities online at www.palmerchamber.org.

The same time is Yuletide Weekend in Skagway. This is a three-day event of old-fashioned Christmas spirit. Follow the town crier to the community tree for a caroling and tree-lighting ceremony with Santa & Mrs. Claus. Set your shoes outside your room door and find them filled with treats the next morning. Spend a day touring restored Victorian homes...