Now give us some figgy pudding

Shelbyville's Claudia Sanders Dinner House (502-633-5600) woos diners into the holiday spirit with lavish decorations inside and out, including six Christmas trees, and a gift shop chockfull of stocking stuffers, including the Claudia Sanders Cookbook. With its down-home-delicious menus, the restaurant hosts lots of Christmas parties, both small and large, throughout December - not to mention patrons hungry for fried chicken, country ham, country-fried farm-raised catfish and other goodies. For Thanksgiving, Claudia Sanders offers Thanksgiving-to-Go on Nov. 26 and a full Thanksgiving Buffet, 4-9 p.m. on Nov. 26 and all day on Nov. 27.

In keeping with its historic distinction as one of Shelby County's oldest occupied buildings, Simpsonville's Old Stone Inn (502-722-8200) remains faithful to its late 1700s/early 1800s time period when decorating for the holiday season. Formerly serving as a stagecoach stop, tavern, residence and inn, this National Historic Landmark has been a restaurant since the 1920s. During Old Stone Inn's long and storied past, it has played host to many a historical figure, including President Andrew Jackson.

"Decorating is done very simply," notes proprietor Shelley Thompson, who adds that the restaurant specializes in Southern and regional fare, with holiday menu specials changing each week.

Located in the heart of downtown Shelbyville, Bell House Restaurant (502-437-5678) is tucked into a circa 1902 building that was formerly a private residence and offices and then fully renovated in 2007 as a restaurant. Regularly open Fridays and Saturdays for dinner, the restaurant adds Thursdays in December to accommodate holiday dinner patrons and parties, and decorates with white lights and poinsettias in an Old World style. Year-round, diners are charmed by a mid-1800s city fire bell that once perched atop the firehouse in the town square and now sits in the restaurant's front yard. It is rung daily in celebration of delicious food. Bell House Restaurant will offer a special four-course dinner for New Year's Eve.

Holiday Events

• Wakefield-Scearce Gallery Christmas Gala, Nov. 5-9: More than a dozen professionally decorated trees, including a traditionally decorated 15-foot tree, mark the opening of Christmas shopping season at the Gallery.
• Making Ends Meet Open House, Nov. 5-8: This is when the home interior and fabric shop features custom one-of-a-kind gift items - everything from artwork and mirrors to pillows and ornaments. Refreshments are served.
• Celebration of Lights, Nov. 8: Downtown is transformed into a Winter Wonderland; shops open late; there is food, crafts - and the lighting of the Shelbyville Christmas Tree.
• Trims & Whims Craft Show, Nov. 8-9: Sponsored by Alpha Delta Kappa, a teachers' sorority, the 34th annual show, held at Wright Elementary, will have 90-plus booths and a Tea Room with soups, sandwiches and homemade breads.
• Light Up Simpsonville, Nov. 15: Join Simpsonville's mayor in Wiche Park as he counts down to lighting up Simpsonville.
• Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass Tree Lighting Ceremony at the new upscale outlet mall with 80+ choice retailers: 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18.
• "A Christmas Story," Dec. 5-7 and 12-14: The story about a boy, his quest for a Red Ryder BB Gun and "lovely, glorious, beautiful Christmas - upon which the entire kid year revolves." Get dinner and show tickets or show tickets only: www.ShelbyTheatre.org.

The Country Hearth Inn Shelbyville has a place for you to hang your (holiday) hat in comfort at this AAA 2 Diamond hotel that offers a 24-hour front desk, free parking, Computer/Business Center, free high-speed wireless Internet, guest laundry, lounge, fireplace and complimentary "InnCredible" Continental Breakfast featuring hot waffles.

Accommodations add to guest comfort with in-room coffee makers, refrigerators and microwave ovens, cable/satellite TV and many other amenities. Environmentally-friendly EcoRooms�, non-smoking rooms, hot tub rooms and ADA facilities are available, as are rollaway beds and cribs.

Family-friendly and with affordably priced rooms, the hotel is located near Shelby County's Saddlebred farms, lovely Lake Shelby, the Shelbyville Antiques District, Claudia Sanders Dinner House and the Shelby County Fairgrounds.

Information/Reservations: Country Hearth Inn Shelbyville, 502-633-5771.

At Pathelen Flower & Gift Shop, top picks for plants and flowers at Christmastime are poinsettias, the Christmas cactus and Norfolk Island pine trees. "People love to decorate these indoor miniature trees," says shop owner Lori Glass. At Flowers by Sharon, Sharon Nichols also sells lots of poinsettias, but also red and white carnations and red roses. Rounding out floral faves for the holidays are evergreen, holly and berries. Don't forget your bunch of mistletoe.