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1st - Start a tradition Pack up the family and head to the country (or at least our version of it) to select and chop down your own Christmas tree. You’ll find meadows full of evergreens of all shapes and sizes—they even provide a saw. There are several to choose, from The Christmas Forest in Zachary (thechristmasforest.com) and Crowder’s Christmas Tree Farm in Denham Springs (665-8726).

The Christmas Forest

23696 Old Scenic Highway

225-654-3247

Open 10 a.m. until dark everyday

Varieties: Leyland Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Blue Ice, Notabilis and Ovensil

Services: Stands, saws, shaking, flocking, garland, wreaths and tree wrapping

Extras: Gift shop, tours, bathrooms, hayrides, free hot chocolate, and hamburgers, hot dogs and jambalaya cooked fresh on site each Saturday and Sunday.

Crowder's Christmas Tree Farm

25110 Juban Road

225-665-8726

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday

Varieties: Virginia Pine, Leyland Leighton Green and Carolina Sapphire

Services: Stands, saws, shaking, flocking and tree wrapping

Extras: Bathrooms

2nd - Go old school Tell the kids you’ve transformed the family Truckster into a time machine and take them back in time to A Rural Life Christmas for a truly retro celebration. Learn the old ways of the South while you listen to music groups and interact with costumed re-enactors. The fun wraps up with storytelling and a bonfire to summon beloved Papa Noel. Noon to 6 p.m. Adult admission is $7, while children 10 and under get in free.

3rd - Personalize So you did it again—you’ve procrastinated and still haven’t ordered Christmas cards. Don’t settle for mass-produced cards online—get creative and go local. Latil offers custom cards that can be ready the same day. The Queen Bee sells distinctive cards from Southern designers who offer a fresh twist on the traditional layout. And The Keeping Room also holds traditional cards for the holidays, in addition to stationary sets to give as gifts themselves.

Latil, 326 Third St., 383-4731

The Queen Bee, 7415 Corporate Blvd., 924-3530

The Keeping Room, 7575 Jefferson Hwy., 926-2500

4th - Hit the pavement Post-holiday pounds are out. So what’s in? Preventative exercise before the inevitable feasting. But forget slipping on those tattered Chuck Taylors for your morning walk. Jenni Peters and her team of specialists at Varsity Sports near the Perkins Road Overpass offer free personalized assessments. They’ll study your unique gait then help you choose the most comfortable shoes you’ve ever worked out in. Varsity’s own jogging group runs around the University Lakes or through the Garden District three days a week. December is the time to get started before the more intense 5K training begins in the spring. 383-8913. varsityrunning.com

5th - Set the mood You’ve cut your own Christmas tree and bought stationary, but you want your home to feel even more festive. Here are some easy steps that’ll have you humming “Jingle Bells” before you know it: Light a cinnamon-scented candle and pop in A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, and brew up some hot cocoa or apple cider and take relish the scents and sounds of the holidays. Now you’re talking. (For a list of 225 holiday movie suggestions, click here.)

6th - Play nice If you’re tired of your friend showing off her uber-hip iPhone you can join them for $399 (plus an AT&T calling plan ranging from $60 to $100 a month). But now you have some choices for keeping up with the Apples. Verizon Wireless just launched its iPod challenger, the new dual-screen Voyager. It offers faster Web service and a full “qwerty” keyboard so users can choose either the touch screen or traditional keyboard to input information. The phone has an SD memory slot that holds up to an 8-gig memory card. Voyager’s style is sleek and gives users a bit more ease when it comes to its cool technology and applications. And BlackBerry has made strides in the design of its new Pearl 8130. Weighing in at just over three ounces, it now features built-in GPS, and the screen display shows full a Web page. Its smartest feature is the wind and echo cancellation for loud environments, in addition to the user’s option to enhance the audio by boosting the phone’s audio bass or treble while on a call.

7th - Liven things up There’s nothing quite like live theater to put you in the Christmas spirit. Here’s a fresh twist for Baton Rouge. From the people who brought you Forever Plaid, the off-Broadway musical comedy about a quartet of vocal harmonizers, comes Plaid Tidings. Sparky, Jinx, Smudge and Frankie are back, but they’re not sure why until a heavenly phone call from Rosemary Clooney lets them know they’re needed to bring some harmony back into the world. Plaid Tidings features Christmas favorites and is a sure thing for whole family. Show runs Dec. 7-16. Tickets are $19-$23. brlt.org

8th - Eat, shop, be merry Head for the Christmas gift-rich environment at downtown’s Baton Rouge Arts Market at 8 a.m., where you’ll find one-of-a-kind gifts by local artists and artisans. Walk a few paces east and pick up a bag of juicy Louisiana satsumas and other fresh veggies, baked goods, meats and dairy goods. Now that you’ve worked up a good appetite, step into the Main Street Market and tuck into a savory frittata at Taste. Return downtown for the 57th annual Greater Baton Rouge Christmas Parade at 5 p.m., then stick around for the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Handel’s Messiah at First Baptist Church. artsbr.org; brso.org; christmasinbr.com

9th - Shop outside the box Head to neighboring Gonzales to shop where the traffic shouldn’t be quite so bad. Hit Tanger Outlet Center and check out the new stores: Nike, Bath & Body Works, Ann Taylor and Skechers. Right across Hwy. 30 is the brand new Cabela’s—don’t tell us there isn’t at least one hunter or fisherman on your list—this is Louisiana, for crying out loud. And have you checked out the Flea Market of Louisiana on Airline in Prairieville? The one with beer and karaoke? They forever have offbeat gifts such as Fat Albert clocks and live roosters. 673-2682.

10th - Be an activist Last month we asked you, faithful 225 Select readers, to tell us your biggest concern for Baton Rouge. You answered resoundingly: public education. Nationally, Louisiana ranks 43rd out of 50 states in eighth-grade LEAP test scores, and East Baton Rouge Parish’s performance is below even our low state average. While Glasgow Middle School earned a prestigious Blue Ribbon Award for academic achievement last year, the campus of Baton Rouge High Magnet School is crumbling. The good news is the school system has a $66.1 million surplus, but what will be done with it? If you have an idea on how to improve our public schools, don’t be shy. Take 10 minutes today and make sure the 225 community is heard. E-mail Superintendent Charlotte Placide (cplacide@ebrschools.org) with your questions and concerns. And copy us on those e-mails at editor@225batonrouge.com. We just might print your ideas in our next issue.

11th - Order for the kids The new Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix DVD may just entertain young kids through their entire Christmas break. Also hitting shelves today is the Jason Bourne Collection. Pick up a copy for your teenager or surprise someone by ordering Radiohead’s new In Rainbows “discbox,” a deluxe double-CD, double-vinyl and book package available at inrainbows.com.

12th - Joy in Government—Street, that is. Dodge the mall crowds and peruse the funky shops and boutiques of Government Street. You’ll find an ideal retro outfit at Time Warp, then hop next door to Honeymoon Bungalow for a funky gift (maybe a set of 1970s mugs) for your artsy friend. A short drive toward downtown lands you at Circa 1857, where you can peruse artwork, antique fixtures and all manner of funky finds. When the shopping’s done, head east to landmark Fleur de Lis for an ice cold beer and the best rectangular pizza in town.

13th - Phone it in Free yourself from the shackles of the turkey burden. Instead of schlepping the bird from the grocery store and struggling to make it succulent, order one from the pros. Ordering a week in advance and choosing between fried and smoked are the only stipulations involved. A few suggestions:

Frank’s Smokehouse, 8353 Airline Hwy., 926-5977

Tony’s Seafood, 5215 Plank Rd., 355-2127

14th - Go ice skating “Skating on the River” at the River Center starts tonight (and ends Dec. 30). Ten bucks pays for skate rental, 90 minutes of skating and a soft drink. But before you hit the River Center ice, practice at Leo’s Iceland on Airway near the Mall at Cortana and work on your triple axel. Leo’s ice is open through mid-April. brrivercenter.com

15th - Throw a bash to remember Make it unforgettable with great finger foods and killer cocktails. Leave the work to these local restaurants and businesses so you can focus on your job as the perfect host or hostess. But what to serve? May we suggest...

Kleinpeter eggnog – As rich as melted ice cream, it comes in pints and quarts and is available at local supermarkets. The only quandary is deciding what do spike it with: rum, whiskey or brandy? kleinpeterdairy.com

Boudin balls from Tony’s Seafood – Goodness gracious, great balls of fire! They’re savory and decadent and a phone call order away. Party trays of 100 balls ($39.99) are served with Louisiana Fish Fry cocktail sauce. tonyseafood.com

Mini muffalettas from Monjuni’s – These salty, rich delights trump ordinary finger sandwiches. Piled high with Italian meats, Provolone cheese and Monjunis’ special olive mix, don’t expect leftovers ($22.95 per dozen, and a minimum order of three-dozen is required.)

Dobasch squares from Baum’s – Who can resist bite-sized pieces of cake made with pudding? In chocolate, lemon and strawberry (99 cents each). baumspastries.com

16th - Make it last longer Practically every photo album in America contains that same, generic picture of the screaming child seated on Santa’s knee. But that was then, and this is now. Baton Rouge’s malls offer Santa pictures, and they’ve taken new steps to make it a tear-free experience.

• Mall of Louisiana

Interactive North Pole village complete with a toy-making display, gift-wrapping station and photo ordering kiosk. Multiple cameras capture your child’s candid reactions; there’s a naughty-or-nice meter and realistic snow that smells of peppermint and hot cocoa.

Dates and hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 10-24 and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 24

Cost: Photo package prices vary.

761-7228, malloflouisiana.com

• The Mall at Cortana

Look, Mom, no lines! Cortana will give you a pager so you can shop until Santa summons you and your child for the picture. And on Dec. 1 you can enjoy breakfast with Santa.

Dates and hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday

Cost: Free

927-6747, cortanamall.com

Going to the dogs (and cats)

Americans spend twice as much on their pets as they did 10 years ago—from $23 billion in 1997 to $40.8 billion in 2007, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. In keeping with that trend, several local pet supply companies offer your four-legged friends a little face time with Santa. So get them to the groomer for their close-up with Santa Claws.

• PETCO

Dates and times: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8

6857 Siegen Ln., 297-5997, petco.com

• Petland

Dates and times: TBA

7014 Siegen Ln., 291-7447, petland.com

• PetSmart

Dates and times: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16

10527 S. Mall Dr., 292-0479

8660 Airline Rd., 929-9590, petsmart.com

17th - Give smart Too many children these days carry cell phones, or spend hours cooped up in their rooms with televisions and computer games. So instead of another video game or a hoochie mama Bratz doll, give them a toy or game they’ll learn from. The Learning Express, a top-notch educational toy store in Citiplace, is teeming with smart gifts, from board games like Newton’s Apples ($24.99) to Jurassic Jumble ($19.99). There are fun science and excavation kits, as well as Girl Scout Dolls ($15.99) with names like Respectful Roxie and Friendly Fiona. batonrouge.learningexpress-toys.com

18th - Go ahead, make his day Whether it’s the deluxe widescreen Braveheart: Special Collector’s Edition two-disc set, or the ginormous new Blade Runner: The Final Cut box, there are some sweet new DVDs out this month to surprise your guy for the holidays. If he’s more of a reader, Ken Burns’ monumental coffee table tome, The War: An Intimate History 1941-1945, will keep him occupied while you watch the latest installment of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders guilty pleasure, Making the Team.

19th - Do a good deed Take a step back from the shopping and celebrating. The holidays are about giving, so do your part. A few ideas: Help serve lunch to the homeless. Volunteers are needed daily at the St. Vincent De Paul dining room (383-7837), where you can nourish their stomachs while you recharge your spirit. Or if eco-friendliness is more your style, donate your time or money to the tree-planting folks at Baton Rouge Green. batonrougegreen.com

20th - De-stress You’ve shopped ’til you wanted to drop. You’ve planned ahead. You’re scrambling to get it all done with only 11 days remaining in 2007. Clearly, it’s time to relaaaaax. Join a friend for a day of rejuvenation and book a massage and facial. Treat yourself to a new hairdo, or just invigorate the one you’ve got. Cap it off with the potent richness of the house cocktail at Gino’s, the White Swan.

21st - Wear out your in-laws No one here doubts that you love your in-laws, but let’s be real for a moment: At some point, especially if they’re sleeping on your sofa, you’re going to want to scream—probably after a long day at work when you come home to find your father-in-law snoring in your favorite chair. Don’t get mad, get Machiavellian and wipe them out with a carefully crafted wild goose chase. Start them off at Frank’s for heapings of biscuits and gravy, then they should take a ferry across the Mississippi River. Appeal to their patriotic side and send them to the U.S.S Kidd, where they’ll be up and down myriad flights of steps throughout the vessel.

From there they can stroll to the State Capitol, and make sure they walk all the way up to the top step so they can enjoy reading every state. Oops, did we forget to mention the Old State Capitol? They can’t miss it—and they simply have to take the spiral staircase. While they’re at it, have them pop across the street for a stroll through the museums at the Shaw Center.

But there’s no rest for the weary: Pack them off to Casa De Sue Winery and Vineyard in Clinton to see how the local vino is made. As the day comes to an end, have them visit the spry Mike VI and the LSU Dairy Store, a hidden gem on campus, where they’ll leave with a belly full of ice cream and, not least of all, a nap.

Mission accomplished. (Visit bracvb.com for more details)

22nd-23rd - Get out of town At some point during the holidays you simply have to get out of here, and we’ve got some great spots in two very different places: the rural peace of St. Francisville or the bustling vibe of New Orleans.

ST. FRANCISVILLE

St. Francisville is home to a dozen B&Bs, not to mention great antique shops and some great restaurants. Among our faves:

The St. Francisville Inn

5720 Commerce St., (800) 488-6502, stfrancisvilleinn.com

Amenities: 10 guest rooms complete with antique and reproduction furniture, bricked courtyard, swimming pool and a full breakfast buffet.

Room rates: $80 to $105

Butler Greenwood Plantation

8345 Hwy. 61, (225) 635-6312, butlergreenwood.com

Amenities: Eight guest cottages with full private baths and kitchens, Jacuzzi tubs, 50 acres of landscaped grounds with ponds, tours of the main house and a continental breakfast served in your room.

Room rates: $135 to $185

Dinner is a no-brainer: Varnedoe’s Carriage House at the Myrtles Plantation serves up rich Louisiana food with flair, from Cajun Asian eggrolls to various duck and seafood dishes (click here for 225's review). varnedoes.com

NEW ORLEANS

If it’s city lights you’re looking for, New Orleans may be wounded but it still offers nightlife like no other Louisiana city. Celebration in the Oaks at City Park lets visitors stroll under the park’s majestic live oaks, which are festooned with white lights. Open nightly Dec. 7 through Dec. 30, $6 per adult; children under 3 free.

By this point you’ll be hungry, and in this city your options are limitless. Here’s 225’s insider picks.

If you want to splurge and go all out:

Peristyle offers French and Creole in a casual yet elegant French Quarter setting. peristylerestaurant.com

Lilette serves French classics like roast Muscovy duck with creamy polenta and in stylish Uptown comfort. liletterestaurant.com

Cuvée in the Central Business District serves what it calls “contemporary Creole continental.” We don’t know about all that, but we do know it’s not easy choosing between chardonnay-fennel braised lamb shank and pork loin chop with garlic clams restaurantcuvee.com

Clancy’s offers top-notch New Orleans cooking Uptown. The daily specials are your best bets, but there are great menu items, such as smoked and fried soft-shell crab topped with crabmeat.

And Susan Spicer’s Bayona in the French Quarter remains one of the city’s better eateries.

If homestyle cooking is your style:

Casemento’s is a hidden Garden District gem near Napoleon and Magazine. If you love New Orleans seafood—especially oysters—this could be your Mecca.

They say Mandina’s in Baton Rouge never quite lived up to the mothership’s quality. The Canal Street original in Mid City has re-opened, offering some of the city’s favorite homecooking. mandinasrestaurant.com

Franky and Johnnie’s Uptown is where locals go for great seafood, spaghetti and po-boys. It’s a family-friendly neighborhood joint that’s all New Orleans flavor. Be sure to print a map, though; it’s hidden in a residential neighborhood. frankyandjohnnys.com

If you’re not overstuffed, head Uptown to the local’s favorite hangout and live music venue, the Maple Leaf. As of this writing the calendar was not yet set, but if you’re lucky you might catch the funky R&B of Walter “Wolfman” Washington, in-your-face ReBirth Brass Band, or crowd-moving Papa Grows Funk. The music doesn’t start until after 10, and usually doesn’t stop until after 3 a.m.

24th - Roux the day Stay home and stay warm with fresh shrimp and blue crab gumbo from Heads & Tails Seafood (767-2525), which the Wall Street Journal voted the best in Louisiana for mail order. Order takeout by the quart ($12.99) or the gallon ($49.99). Rent Elf or Happy Feet instead of It’s a Wonderful Life, and your quiet family night is pretty much planned. But if you absolutely must flee the house, National Treasure: Book of Secrets should entertain the entire clan.

25th - Forgive someone What, your parents didn’t love you enough? So what. Your boss is unfair? Get over it. Your ex has moved on carrying that grudge you threw on him? Let it go. Today’s the day to get over it and forgive someone. Give ’em a hug. Call that estranged sibling and tell them you love them, or ask someone you’ve hurt to forgive you. The pit of your stomach will thank you.

26th - Decompress, plan, crack up laughing The students are gone. All is quiet. It’s the perfect time to park it at Highland Coffees and read Benrik’s anarchic instruction manual for hilarious living, This Book Will Change Your Life, over a hot cup of dark roast java and your working list of resolutions for the new year. Or think short-term and plan a house party for New Year’s Eve.

27th - Go Griswald During the aftermath of Christmas, while you’re trying to fit into your pants and gather the remaining decorations around the house, one decoration should stay up until New Year’s: Christmas lights. Load into the car and scope them out in their low-wattage glory. Check out Jefferson Place and Bocage, and drive down Pikes Lane, Kenilworth Parkway and Highland Road.

28th - Hit the town with the girls Guys, go watch a bowl game—it’s girls night out, and we’ve got some partying to do. Leave the holiday nutmeg and candy canes in the rear view mirror and start things off at Chelsea’s Café where you can enjoy great hummus, comforting chicken-fried chicken or smokey mojo chicken served over a salad with savory dressing and of course, an ice cold Abita. Next, head to M Bar on Third Street, a venue specializing in the ultra-feminine sip: a martini. Bask in the frivolity of gossip and dish about your holiday loot.

29th - Get decked out for New Year’s Eve Go shopping for a rocking new ensemble for New Year’s Eve. Find a fabulous get-up at Loft 3h on Perkins, which is full of new styles and fresh looks for women smaller than a size 8—yes, in juniors. For the rest of the city’s female population, stay away from the frustration of the many mom & pop boutiques and hit the big corporate chain stores for a dress that makes you shine.

Guys can heighten their style at Style Lab For Men in Towne Center. We’re thinking a gray Trovata Spence cotton blazer ($299) and Modern Amusement herringbone fedora ($78) would look great on a crisp winter night. Levi’s Matchstick jeans ($178) will keep you casual, if you’ve got the legs for them. 757-6131. stylelabstore.com

30th - Get blue Ah, it’s Sunday. Crank up the blues at WBRH 90.3 FM while you clean the house. Reflect on the year ahead while mopping the floors, folding laundry and scrubbing the tub. You might even dance with your broom in the kitchen. Go on, no one’s looking.

31st - Ring in 2008 New Year’s is fast approaching, so get decked out and get in the mood to celebrate. This year, the Hilton Capital Center hosts Celeauxbrate ‘08. The disclaimer is that late checkout times are guaranteed. Guests receive champagne upon arrival, complete with heavy hors d’oeuvres. The Riverview Ballroom will be hopping with live music from the Tip Tops. Party favors, a balloon drop and a midnight breakfast are also on the itinerary. The cost for this loaded evening: $400 per couple. For details, call 344-5866 and ask for the New Year’s Eve package. For other New Year's Eve events, click here.