The holidays are coming up, and fast! Hanukkah begins Friday night and will end on the following Saturday, December 19.  Then Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and then we'll turn around and it will be 2010!  I feel like 2009 flew right by in a blur!  I remember as a kid thinking about how far away the year 2000 was, and now I'm in disbelief that we run in the millennium 10 years ago!

How has your holiday shopping been this year? Did you find yourself spending more, less or around the same as you have in previous years?  Share your thoughts with us and other parents on Parent Chat.  

If you're stuck on finding a gift, check out our Parent Tips.  In these economic times, many people are shifting their focus to spend less money this year.  I recently read about someone who was giving "PRESENCE" to their family in lieu of presents this year. The gift of time can be a wonderful treat for your children, you can read a great article about that on our blog written by author Arjun Sen. Another trend in gift giving is to give a donation to a charity in honor of a friend or loved one. This is a great way to show your love this holiday season, visit our A-Z Non-Profits or Families Giving Back for some great local organizations that can use your help.

There are lots of events going on this week to celebrate the holidays! Have a great week----

The voting for the Best of Long Island 2010 will be ending on December 15.  LIParentSource.com was nominated as best Long Island Based Website and we're hoping to count on your vote!

To vote for us, click this link and click on the General Business Category, scroll down to Best Long Island Based Website and vote for LIParentSource.com!

We want to extend a warm welcome to our newest business listing, a brand new branch of Stroller Strides!!  Stephanie will be starting her classes in Suffolk County in January 2010 and if you want to register now, give her a call at (888) 451-4948.  For more information, visit Stroller Strides Suffolk County-Powered by MomME Time Fitness here >>>

Can you help??  Julianna Buttners, a local Farmingville resident, was three years old when she diagnosed with cancer in 2006. After a long battle of two and a half years of chemotherapy she went into remission but in Sept. 2009, the leukemia returned. Doctors now say a bone marrow transplant is her only hope.  a few weeks ago, a bone marrow drive was organized for her at the Farmingville Fire Dept and over 2,600 people came to show their support and see if they were a match, but unfortunately, as of right now, there is no match.  Could it be you?  If you would like to see if you are a bone marrow match, request a kit to be mailed to you online here or by calling 1-866-340-DKMS and refer to Drive Code JPF007.  In conjunction with Radio station 107.3 FM, a lights synced to music fundraising drive will run from Sunday December 6th, 2009 through Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 16 Lidge Drive, Farmingville (hours will be Sundays through Thursdays from 530 - 10pm, Fridays & Saturdays from 530 - 11pm).  Holiday lights and lawn decorations will flash, fade, twinkle and dance synchronized to the music.  There is a lock box for donations and any funds donated will go to the Hope For Julianna Fund. For more information, call Gary at 631.961.1204.

Below is only a partial list of upcoming events and activities so be sure to click on our EVENT CALENDAR so you do not miss anything >>

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

We admit, over the past few weeks our contests have been sparse, and we're sorry!  We've been working super hard on some fantabulous events, giveaways and ideas for 2010 and we got caught up in it!  Never fear, we're back with a great giveaway this week.

Have you ever been to the CM Performing Arts Center in Oakdale?  If not, you should definitely go.  And bring the whole family.  And we're going to send one family to see Annie, which is playing on their mainstage through January 10, 2010.

Leapin' lizards! The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope.  Boasting one of Boradway's most memorable scores, including "It's A Hard Knock Life", "Easy Street", "N.Y.C.", and the ever-optimistic "Tomorrow", Annie is a delightful theatrical experience for the entire family.

Visit our Contest page to win a family 4 pack of tickets!