On its blog, Little Shop of Stories announces that with the help of a bunch of local sponsors, the bookstore is bringing the Decatur Christmas Tree back to the Square!

The tree will sit on top of our building, so you’ll be able to see it from the square and from Ponce all holiday long. And what would a tree be with out a tree-lighting party? So come out and join us as we kick off the season (and my favorite time of year) on Thursday, December 3 at 7 pm.

Click over to the Shop’s blog for more details!

Sage restaurant announces the return of its “Art-tini” nights, this and next Thursday, December 6th and 13th from 5:30-10p.

With or without $6 XL Martinis, $20-$30 for various kinds of local art is a great bargain!  Check it out!

Read the full release after the jump…

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But its not the busiest online shopping day of the year. That belongs to the Saturday before Christmas. (ABC News)

Why would anyone waste precious weekend hours at home, paying exorbitant fees to overnight gifts to relatives, when they could be filling the virtual shopping cart (with free shipping) on the company’s clock today? Because right now we have idealized fantasies of finding the perfect gift for everyone on our list. But two days before Christmas, we’ve resigned ourselves to getting all members of our extended family “retro” versions of boardgames they already own.

The Black Friday website has many links to Cyber Monday deals, but if you’re in the metro Atlanta area why not check out downtown Decatur some Thursday evening between now and Christmas and experience Terrific Thursdays! Does amazon.com or Lenox mall offer free food and drinks (yes many alcoholic drinks) and discounts in a classic small town setting? I didn’t think so. So, come to Decatur, get drunk, and support your local merchants!

All Decatur retailers are invited to post any Terrific Thursday specials in the comments section if they wish.