As belts tighten for the coming recession, many Canadian families are wondering if this will be the pinch that steals Christmas.

Christmas Cheer begins accepting applications on Monday (Burlington Times-News)

Christmas Cheer, which provides Christmas help for the less fortunate of Alamance County, plans to open its doors to applicants Monday through Oct. 17. The hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.

Trumann Christmas Parade Planning underway (Trumann Democrat)

Mayor Sheila Walters has announced that the Trumann Christmas Parade will be held Thursday, Dec. 11 beginning at 6 p.m. Plans are underway for the parade which will start at the old Wal-Mart building on Highway 463 and travel to Main Street and end at the Old Community House on Poinsett Avenue.

Joliet looking for downtown Christmas tree (The Herald News)

JOLIET — The city of Joliet is looking for a Christmas tree.

Christmas play script "The Christmas Miracle" (Times Education Supplement)

A new original Christmas play of five scenes for performance by children aged 7-11. Characters: minimal male roles 8, minimal female roles 6, total characters 20 (a variety of roles for different ages and abilities); plus choir. The length of the play is 40-45 minutes.