Some 25 floats are ready to roll down Washington Street downtown Saturday night in the third annual Beeville Main Street Holiday Night Lighted Parade.

Launch time is 6:30 p.m. or whenever it’s appropriately dark for the lighted entries. They’ll begin their journey at City Hall and finish some four blocks south at Prosperity Bank.

So come welcome in the season Saturday night with the A.C. Jones Trojan marching band and jolly old St. Nick.

But why just wait to see Santa when you can play Santa for others in need?

The Toys for Bee Kids toy drive continues to grow. Last week more Bee County businesses and individuals donated to the worthy cause. The annual toy giveaway is scheduled for noon on Saturday, Dec. 20, in front of 3-G Electric Co., located on North St. Mary’s Street next to the City Hall.

Another way to join in the season would be to contribute time, money or gifts to the Christmas Angels project. There are always those in need of help this time of year, but as the economy tightens, a little charity can go a long way.

The Christmas Angels Program is sponsored by the Beeville Vineyard and gathers gifts and food for families that can’t afford them at Christmas. Even seniors, who find themselves stranded on fixed incomes in this economy, receive boxes with toiletries and other personal goods including $15 gift cards.

So how can you help? Individuals, families, organizations, businesses all can still donate gifts of toys or food. Items should cost between $10-$15 and should not be wrapped.

Wreaths are hung in businesses and offices around town. The holiday wreaths are adorned with blue and pink angels. The blue angels have the age of a boy in need of a Christmas gift. The pink angels are adorned with the age of a girl who is lacking presents.

The angels are taken off of the tree and an age-appropriate gift is purchased and dropped off at the Beeville Vineyard or in one of the many drop-off boxes scattered across through community. Wal-Mart shoppers also may drop off gifts at the Customer Service counter.

Locations where donations can be made include St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, wreath; City Hall, donation box; VFW Post, donation box; Coastal Bend College, wreath; First National Bank, donation box; Bee-Picayune, wreath; Bee Cleaners, wreath; Sheriff’s Department, wreath; Police Department, wreath; First United Methodist Church, wreath; Army-Navy Federal Credit Union, wreath; Texas Champion Bank, wreath; IBC, wreath; St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, wreath; Prosperity Bank, wreath; Wal-Mart Supercenter, two lighted trees; and Blockbuster, donation box.

Don’t finish the Christmas season with a bah and a humbug. Here are some ways to enhance your season.