Anne writes in…

The 19^th Annual Decatur Holiday Marketplace and Café will take place Friday, December 3^rd from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 4^th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., in conjunction with the Decatur Tour of Homes.

Clairemont Elementary School transforms into a lively and festive market where more than 95 local and national artists exhibit their wares.  Kick off your holiday season by shopping for unique handmade gifts, paintings, glass art, jewelry, pottery and much more.  Be sure to stop by the café for mouthwatering homemade soups and decadent desserts, as well as toe-tapping tunes performed live by local musicians and carolers.

New this year: On Saturday, kids can enjoy live children’s music in the café from 1-2 p.m. and join in the fun with art activities on Saturday from 2 – 6 p.m.  And as the sun sets on both evenings, don’t miss the new Winter Wonderland Light Display on the school grounds.

Whether it’s your palette or palate that needs pleasing, you’ll satisfy both at the Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Café!   The school is located at 155 Erie Avenue in Decatur.  Admission is free, and all proceeds benefit Clairemont Elementary School programs.

For more information, please visit www.DecaturHolidayMarketplace.com.

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.