On the twelfth day of Christmas wait, how does that song go?

If you're like a lot of holiday celebrants, the traditional whirlwind of festivities can feel like more like a marathon than a party. By the time you plan everything - the gifts, the activities, the food - how much time are you really left with to enjoy Christmas?

And if you've got a particularly hard person to shop for, a surprise to pull off or a group evening out to organizewell, it can get dangerously Scrooge-like inside your head.

So here's our gift to you - suggestions, some standard and some surprising - for getting through the season with cheer still in your heart.

While that famous song invades your car radio and store speakers, try to hear these words instead of drummers drumming and pipers piping: Bars for hopping, movies for watching, places for shopping, shows for seeing, rinks for skating and sleighs for riding. It might just help you keep that first day attitude through the New Year.

Bars for hopping:

There's nothing better than treating yourself, after a grueling day of shopping, to an early evening drink with friends. Or maybe the boss put you in charge of organizing the office party - and told you the day before the event. The holiday season brings with it many traditional beverages - alcoholic and non-alcoholic - best enjoyed in a merrily-decorated pub. All cozy and warm with your crew, sipping a tasty spirit just might get you back in the holiday spirit.

Here are some spots we recommend:

Stoneforge, 2 Washington St. (Route 1), Foxboro (www.stoneforge.net)

Best for an office party. Class without the stuffiness.

Lafeyette Lounge, 109 Washington St. (Route 1), Foxboro (www.lafayettehouse.com)

Best if you've been shopping with your mom. Grab a bite and have a chat.

Trinity Brewery, 186 Fountain St., Providence (www.trinitybrewhouse.com)

Best if you're meeting up with a big group of friends. This is definitely a young person's place. Olives, 108 North Main St., Providence (www.olivesri.com)

Martini bar and then some. Best if you've been brave enough to book a first date during the season.

Napper Tandy's, Day Street, downtown Norwood

Best if you want to get warm. Sit on the restaurant side near the fireplace.

The Oak Bar at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, 138 St. James Ave., Boston (www.theoakroom.com)

Live entertainment Thursday through Sunday evening. Best if you've been shopping with your sweetie. Impress.

Shows for seeing:

"The Nutcracker." Take a little girl to see "The Nutcracker," and she'll forever hold this as one of her most memorable holidays. Dolls come to life, mice waltz their way through a fight, and a little girl's dream comes true. Enough said? Boston Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker" runs from Nov. 29 to Dec. 29 at the Opera House, with Saturday and Sunday matinee performances. Visit www.bostonballet.org for show times and tickets. If a Sunday show is in your plans, why not treat your little princess to a Nutcracker Brunch at the Ritz Carlton? Offered Dec. 2, 9 and 16 at 10 a.m., the brunch is held in the hotel's new ballroom that overlooks Boston Common. The buffet brunch also includes live music and a small gift for children. $35 for kids, $65 for adults. Call 617-574-7184 for reservations.

"White Christmas." And for the adults, there's "Irving Berlin's White Christmas," playing at the Wang Theatre through Dec. 23. The story of two showbiz buddies putting on a production in a magical Vermont Inn, it has several show-stopping numbers and is recommended for the entire family. A special gift package includes a show CD. Visit www.citicenter.org for more information.

Sites for shopping:

So there's the mall. And then there's the Internet. And then there's the bookstore. Great. But what if you're looking for something.. else? There's lots of other places to grab that perfect gift. You just need to know where to look.

Faneuil Hall, Boston. Yes, there are some standard brand-name stores. But there are also dozens of vendor carts, any of which have hand-made items. Plus, the area is so perfectly decorated, you'll find plenty to take in while you get a sometimes tedious chore out of the way.

SOWA Holiday Market, Boston. Some 80 artisans from around New England will showcase their products at this event, the 4th annual, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 74 Union Park St. Admission is $5, free parking at 500 and 540 Harrison Ave. Visit www.sowaholidaymarket.com

Federal Hill, Providence. Got a foodie on your list? This is the perfect-o place for you. Grab some gourmet pastas, sauces and wines, and a nice basket to wrap it all up in. (As a bonus, you'll have several choices if you get a case of the munchies. Federal Hill is lined with yummy restaurants and sandwich shops.)

RISD alumni art sale. Rhode Island School of Design hosts alumni art sales, featuring the work of former students, a few times per year, but the holiday sale is by far the largest. Alumni come from across the country to display and sell their work. The sale is Saturday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Admission is $7 for adults, free for children under 14 and RISD students.

Movies for watching:

Grab the kiddies - or the kids at heart - or the old sentimentalists in your life and head to Showcase Cinemas in Randolph, where on Saturdays from Nov. 24 to Dec. 15, you can see a holiday movie on the big screen for free. Just bring a non-perishable food item (one for each movie-goer) to be donated for local food banks. Movies are 10 a.m. Nov. 24, "Elf," Dec. 1, "It's a Wonderful Life," Dec. 8, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," and Dec. 15, "White Christmas."

Sleighs for riding:

"It's lovely weather...." It may or may not be over the next month, but you can stay a little warmer cuddled up with someone special on a sleigh ride.

In the absence of snow, take a horse and carriage ride that can be either a romantic trip around the city or a way to introduce your kids to the wonders of New England history:

In Boston, a one-hour ride will take around you in and around Faneuil Hall, Old State House, Kings Chapel, the Public Gardens and other parts of the Freedom Trail. Log on to www.eleganttouchcarriage.com for prices and special requests.

For an actual sleigh ride, hope for snowy weather and head to Old Sturbridge Village for their Christmas By Candlelight event, Dec. 7 to 16, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5-9 p.m. While you're there, walk through the historic village common, learn about Christmas traditions and see carolers. Visit www.osv.org for more information.

Ponds for skating:

Frog Pond in Boston - A true staple of celebrating Christmas in or near Boston, the Frog Pond on Boston Common is now open for skating. Thousands of revelers flock here each year, bundled up to take a few laps around the "pond." Frog Pond is open Monday 10-5, Tuesday to Thursday, 10-9, Friday and Saturday, 10-10, and Sunday, 10-9. Cost is $4 per person, children under 13 are free. Skate rentals are $8. (Don't forget to bring some extra for hot chocolate.)

Bank of America City Center - Providence's skating facility opened Nov. 19 for the season, allowing you to skate under the city lights. Hours are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $6 per person, children 12 and under are $3. Skate rentals are $4.

Places for proposing:

Planning to slip a special ring on your sweetie's hand this holiday season? You're definitely not alone. The magic of the season - not to mention family time looming, big gifts to be given, and all those jewelry commercials - makes proposing at Christmas very popular.

Stuck on where to ask your beloved if she'll marry you? Here are some romantic suggestions (and don't fret the cold, you'll be so excited that you just won't notice!):

On a horse and carriage ride through historic Boston (see below)

At the mall, taking a picture with Santa

On your town common, in front of a lighted tree

Bridge over the Public Gardens in Boston (near the Swan Boats)

Frog Pond in Boston (see below)

Under your own Christmas tree at home

REBECCA KEISTER can be reached at 508-236-0336 or at rkeister@thesunchronicle.com.