Forget the eager retail beavers of early October, the holiday season is now officially here. You've got Thanksgiving leftovers to fuel you as you strongarm shopping crowds or bake up batches of snowflake-shaped cookies to take to the office. Not feeling it? Could be impeachment hearing glut or that second round of the Humboldt crud. Or maybe it's a bout of "How in Santa's sack are we in December already?" Whatever the reason, here's a sampler of seasonal events to help get you in the spirit.

Santa rolls into Eureka in a Humboldt Bay Fire truck on Friday, Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. at the Old Town Gazebo. Bring the kids and snap pics with the jolly old elf while they tell him what they'd like to see under the tree this year. Speaking of, Santa would like you to make local businesses your target when looking for that perfect gift. Shop downtown and old town businesses for all your goodies during Eureka's Small Business Saturday, happening Nov. 30. The Snowball Drop at the Old Town Gazebo can help you with that by raining little gifties down on you in the form of ping pong balls good for discounts, gifts and/or giveaways at local shops. Don't be late. Despite what it says in our Gift Guide calendar (one in the naughty column), the blizzard starts promptly at 11:30 a.m.

How about some Rockefeller Center Christmas magic right here in Humboldt? For five glorious weeks, the Humboldt Ice Rink is open at Belotti Hall at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale (Nov. 27 - Jan. 5). The Grand Opening Celebration and ribbon cutting is Friday, Nov. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. with live music, holiday treats, drinks and, of course, ice skating. Grownups, the Zamboni Lounge at the rink will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. selling beer, wine and hot buttered rum.

Arcata Main Street kicks off the holidays on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30 from 3 to 9 p.m. in and around Arcata Plaza (free) with music, shopping, popcorn, cocoa and carriage rides (from 5 to 8 p.m.). The event is part of Arcata's Season of Wonder and Light, which also includes a Holiday Open House, Arts! Arcata and a Winter Solstice Celebration all later in the month. Keep an eye on the Journal's calendar for those dates.

And back in the picturesque town of Ferndale, it's America's Tallest Living Christmas Tree Lighting on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 5:30 p.m. (free). Join the community for cookies, cocoa, carols and the illuminating of the bright beautiful tree — a tradition since 1934. While in town, stop by the Ferndale Portuguese Hall for the annual Beans & Linguica Dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. ($12, $6 children 6-12). That feeling in your chest? It's your heart growing three sizes. And that's just this week's calendar.