Merry Christmas! And, while we’re at it, Happy New Year! Ever find yourself stuck at the mall, or slaving away making goodies for the neighbors, or just sort of sitting around and waiting to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life,” or “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on TV while another holiday season ticks pastfi The Daily Herald is here to help make your holidays a little more holly and jolly.

We've found something festive to take up an hour or two of your time every day in December. If you like our ideas, then you may find even more exciting options in the extended listings of seasonal activities in UV magazine every Thursday. Additionally, throughout December, UV will include a special pull-out section each week to provide even more information about opportunities for holiday merrymaking.

Also, remember that many of the events we've compiled here are ongoing. If the date that we've chosen for our holiday calendar doesn't match your schedule, then you may be able to find another date that does.

Dec. 1 -- Begin your holiday festivities by going for Baroque. You're invited to sing along with the Utah Baroque Ensemble as it performs traditional carols and other Christmas music at the Orem Public Library, 58 N. State St. in Orem. 7 p.m. Free. lib.orem.org.

Dec. 2 -- The Giving Tree isn't just a book by Shel Silverstein -- in Utah County, it's a holiday tradition at University Mall in Orem. Take an ornament from the tree and return with a gift no later than Dec. 16. Volunteers from the United Way of Utah County will distribute the gifts to those in need.

Dec. 3 -- Reluctant singer and enthusiastic songwriter Michael McLean presents "The Forgotten Carols" at Utah Valley University's McKay Events Center. Rediscover the "lost" stories of Christmas. $13-$21. 863-7469. 7:30 p.m. www.mckayeventscenter.com.

Dec. 4 -- Explore a world of Christmas crafts and help benefit Primary Children's Medical Center when you visit the Festival of Trees at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy. The festival is open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. $4. www.festivaloftreesutah.org.

Dec. 5 -- Unwrap a classic Christmas movie at Brigham Young University's Harold B. Lee Library. "The Bishop's Wife," starring Cary Grant as a heavenly messenger dispatched to help shore up the marriage of preoccupied cleric (David Niven), shows at 7 p.m. in the first-floor auditorium. Free. lib.byu.edu/sites/sc/.

Dec. 6 -- Broaden your horizons by attending the final evening performance (7 p.m.) of "Recibid al Rey," the Latino Christmas extravaganza sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The program is presented free of charge at the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. lds.org/calendar.

Dec. 7 -- Visit the Interfaith Creche Exhibit in Midway between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. The exhibit features more than 1,000 creches, or Christmas nativity displays, with dozens of countries around the world represented. The exhibit is displayed at the LDS meetinghouse at 165 N. Center St. in Midway. Free.

Dec. 8 -- He may be a Democrat, but nobody protests when popular local musician Kurt Bestor gives a Christmas performance at Utah Valley University. Get your tickets now for "A Celebration of Life: A Kurt Bestor Christmas" at the McKay Events Center. $10-$40. 863-8844. 7 p.m. www.mckayeventscenter.com.

Dec. 9 -- It's a book, it's a movie and now it's an actual holiday event. Take a ride through Provo Canyon on the Polar Express, courtesy of the Heber Valley Railroad. Fares are $28/adult and $17/child. You can ride throughout the month, but dates fill up quickly, so make your reservation soon. www.hebervalleyrr.org.

Dec. 10 -- Rocky Mountain Repertory Ballet presents its 12th-annual performance of "The Nutcracker" at the Show Barn at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. Tickets are $20/adult, or $15/children, but you can save $2 per ticket by purchasing in advance. 7:30 p.m. thanksgivingpoint.com.

Dec. 11 -- Bah. Humbug! The annual production of "A Christmas Carol" at Hale Center Theater Orem is a hot ticket every holiday season. $17.50-$19.50. Show times vary. www.haletheater.org.

Dec. 12 -- Speaking of Scrooge, Center Street Musical Theatre in Provo is offering "A Christmas Carol: The Broadway Musical." This is the theater's final production and to thank the community, admission is free. Centennial Middle School, 305 E. 2320 North, Provo. 8 p.m. Reservations recommended. 373-4485.

Dec. 13 -- See the nativity and amazing display of Christmas lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Go early for the lights and then slip over to the north entrance of the square and join the line for standby tickets (free) to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. 7:30 p.m. (Regular tickets not available.)

Dec. 14 -- If the tree's not up, then you're slacking. Put on your favorite Christmas CD and do some decorating. If you've already taken care of that, then gather up some non-perishable food items to make a donation to Community Action Services and Food Bank, 815 S. Freedom Blvd. in Provo. www.communityactionprovo.org.

Dec. 15 -- Alex Stecker, a professor of history and political science at Utah Valley University, explains "The Symbols and Stories of Hanukkah." The holiday begins on the 25th day of Kislev -- Dec. 22 in 2008 -- in the Storytelling Wing of the Orem Public Library, 56 N. State St. in Orem. 7 p.m. Free. lib.orem.org.

Dec. 16 -- If you enjoy four-part male harmonies, then the production of "Plaid Tidings" -- the special Christmas show with the four fine fellas from "Forever Plaid" -- at the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem is sure to be a holiday delight. $10-$12. 225-ARTS. 7:30 p.m. www.scera.org.

Dec. 17 -- Crack yourself up at the Desert Star Playhouse in Murray with the satirical Christmas comedy "Miracle on 42nd Street." $9.95-19.95. (801) 266-2600. Show times vary. www.desertstar.biz.

Dec. 18 -- Take a stroll along Center Street in historic Downtown Provo to see the candy windows -- each year, local merchants create festive scenes entirely from sweets that are displayed in storefront windows.

Dec. 19 -- "A Joyful Noise" will be in production at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo throughout the first three weeks in December. This is the next-to-last night to see the locally popular play about Handel's struggle to complete and present "Messiah." 7:30 p.m. $10. 852-7007. coveycenter.org.

Dec. 20 -- There's a certain jolly old elf in town a few days early. Take the children to Thanksgiving Point in Lehi for "Breakfast with Santa" at the Show Barn. Enjoy live entertainment, crafts, games and, naturally, a delicious holiday breakfast with a very special visitor. $20/adults, $15/children. 9 a.m. 768-4900. thanksgivingpoint.com.

Dec. 21 -- View the collection of 50 hand-crafted Polish nativity scenes displayed for "The Birth and Childhood of Our Lord, Jesus Christ: Folk Art from Poland" at the Church History Museum of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City. Visit any time between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Free. 45 N. West Temple St.

Dec. 22 -- Those horrible Herdmans! Find out how the town's worst-behaved children contribute to "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" at Valley Center Playhouse, 780 N. 200 East in Lindon. Take the whole family to see the show for just $25. 7:30 p.m. (Admission is $6, or $5 for children, students and seniors.)

Dec. 23 -- Experience the longest tubing lanes in Utah -- 1,200 feet -- at Soldier Hollow Cross-Country Ski Resort in Midway. The tubing hill is open from noon to 8 p.m., and your ticket is good for a two-hour tubing session. Kids ages 3-6 are $11; it's $19 for tubers age 7 and older. www.soldierhollow.com.

Dec. 24 -- Instead of paying money to listen to someone else yodeling about Christmas, listen to yourselves. Sing Christmas carols around the tree at home, or, if you're feeling adventurous, grab some friends and do some door-to-door caroling around the neighborhood.

Dec. 25 -- Merry Christmas! Spend the day with people who love you.

Dec. 26 -- Christmas may be over, but the lights will still be on at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. Drive through in your own vehicle ($7), or get a seat in a wagon for just $3/person. The display also will still be on at the Festival of Lights in Spanish Fork. It's $5/car to drive through Canyon View Park at 3300 E. Powerhouse Road in Spanish Fork.

Dec. 27 -- Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts at 410 Campus Center Drive on the University of Utah campus. Admission to the museum is free this day (visitors are invited to bring a can of food to donate to the Utah Food Bank). Enjoy food and music. Noon to 4 p.m. www.umfa.utah.edu. (801) 581-7322.

Dec. 28 -- Enjoy an evening of quiet reflection while touring the 23rd annual Religious and Spiritual Art of Utah exhibition at the Springville Museum of Art from 3-6 p.m. Free. www.smofa.org.

Dec. 29 -- Spend the day in the snowy alpine splendor at the Cross Country Center at Sundance Resort in Provo Canyon. Pick skis (26 kilometers of groomed trails) or snowshoes (10 kilometers of designated trails). A full-day pass is $16, or pay just $12 for a half-day pass. 223-4170. www.sundanceresort.com.

Dec. 30 -- The Museum of Church History and Art of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City is celebrating the birth of church founder Joseph Smith from Dec. 23-Jan. 3 during normal museum hours (9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday). Free. 45 N. West Temple St.

Dec. 31 -- There's entertainment for revelers of all ages at Provo's annual "First Night." The event will include live bands, dances, crafts, races, games, karaoke, fireworks and more -- all leading up to midnight. Provo Towne Centre Mall, 1200 Towne Centre Blvd. Tickets $3-$5 at the Provo Towne Centre Mall.