Looking out at the warm, bright sunshine, it's hard to believe that Christmas is just a few weeks away.

But believe it or not, the holiday season is rapidly approaching, complete with that extra long "to do" list as we prepare to celebrate family, friends, and the joy of the season itself.

At The Citizen, the coming weeks will be full of special holiday features. We're starting this week with the "Bounty Basket" promotion, in which one lucky person will receive $500 in gift certificates redeemable at participating merchants throughout the North Boroughs -- just in time for Thanksgiving.

In a couple weeks we'll be publishing our second Christmas "Cookie Book," filled with recipes for your holiday baking that could very well become a holiday tradition at your home. If you have a recipe you'd like to share, mail it to us, drop it off, or e-mail it to me at crankin@thecitizen.us.

We also hope that you will pay special attention to the ads you'll see in the paper and here on our Web site. One of the best ways you can help promote local businesses and stimulate our area business districts is by doing as much of your shopping locally as you possibly can.