Cary sets dates for gingerbread competition, gifting tree, Santa letters

Cary has a celebration for pretty much every holiday and the town goes all out for Christmas.

A highlight is the town's Heart of the Holidays Celebration on Dec. 6, which will include music; a Santa's workshop where kids can make gifts for their loved ones; a winter festival with Santa; holiday movies; and a lot more.

Some of that "a lot more" includes the 4th annual Gingerbread House Competition. The public is invited to enter their own creations and vie for prizes. Entry forms are due Nov. 26. The houses will be displayed during the Heart of the Holidays event on Dec. 6. Winning houses and honorable mentions will remain on display through December. Ribbons are awarded for first, second, third, honorable mention and People's Choice.

For the third year, Cary will host the Gifting Tree Project. Families, groups and schools, among others, are invited to show off their lighted and decorated tree in downtown Cary. The public will vote for their favorite trees. The winning tree will have a donation made to the non-profit group of their choice. Other prizes also will be awarded. The trees will be on display through December. This sounds like a great activity for a family, youth group, scout group, Y Guides tribe and others. Entry forms, again, are due Nov. 26.

And your kids can drop off their letters to Santa from Nov. 24 to Dec. 12 at Cary Town Hall. There's a special Santa Mailbox to stuff those letters in. If you drop it off during that period, your kids will hear back from Santa. Be sure to include your child's name and address on each letter.