Shop Jasper, win $500

Christmas before Halloween? It may be early, but the Jasper Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce and the Woman's Civic Club have big plans for the holidays, so they have to start early.

The chamber of commerce will repeat the popular Shop Jasper Christmas Giveaway. Area merchants need to register now for the event that runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.

Customers who do their holiday shopping at participating stores get to drop their name in a pot for a drawing for $500 in gift certificates. The program runs through Dec. 31 to give people more chances to win during the after-Christmas sales. The drawing will be held Jan. 7.

The Woman's Civic club will host a Tour of Homes Thursday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The tour will start and end with refreshments and holiday music at the civic club building at 156 W. Milam. From there, maps to seven homes decorated for the holidays will be provided.

Homes are decorated and hosted by various local clubs and organizations, each with a different theme.

Merchants in the Shop Jasper Giveaway who are willing to keep extended hours and offer a 10 percent discount will also be listed on the Christmas Tour program.

The Christmas parade organized by the chamber has been moved from Saturday to Friday evening, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m. Theme is "Christmas Around the World."

For information on Shop Jasper, contact the chamber at 384-2762.