25 Merry Days: December 4-10

Sing Along
Escape the holiday madness and enjoy an evening of twinkling lights, music, peace and serenity. Community Convent Church in Rehoboth is hosting a Christmas Concert at 7:30pm on December 8. Partake in hors d’oeuvres as you relax your mind and open your ears and hearts to the blissful sounds of the Warwick Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are just $8. There’s no shame in singing along. 615 Tremont Street, Rehoboth. 508-222-9400, www.communitycovenant.org

Hit the Ice
Nothing creates a feeling of the magic of the season like ice skating. The Newport Skating Center is opening for the season on December 9, and will be ready for all of the rosy-cheeked, mittened photo ops your family can handle. On opening day, meet Santa and his elves at the tree lighting ceremony, where cider, cocoa and treats will be served. Through January 8, the Center is collecting coats for the Amica Coat Drive – everyone who donates a gently used coat will get a two-for-one pass for rink admission. The drive benefits St. Joseph’s Food Kitchen in Newport. Commercial Wharf and America’s Cup Avenue, Newport. 401-846-3018, www.skatenewport.com

Celebrate Like the Irish Do
Sure, you love dreaming of a white Christmas... at the beginning of the season. But once the middle of December rolls around, if you hear one more dreary rendition of “The Christmas Song,” you’re going to burst just like those chestnuts roasting on the open fire. Mix up your holiday music on December 9 at A Celtic Christmas Extravaganza, a concert at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth by the Boston String Quartet and Celtic vocalist Pat Morgan, featuring storytelling and Irish and Scottish music. 2836 East Main Road, Portsmouth. 617-875-7851, www.bostonstringquartet.com

Shop Local
Everybody can go to the mall to buy gifts. Everybody can shop online. But, because everyone can do it, it’s not easy to find unique, memorable gifts that way. Buying from local, independent vendors definitely helps you find gifts nobody else will be giving this year. Find them under one roof at the Holiday Craft Fair 2011 on December 10-11 in Tiverton. Over 35 artists and craft vendors will be peddling their one-of-a-kind creations, and you will have the gifts under the tree that everyone will be talking about. Knights of Columbus, 28 Fish Road, Tiverton. 401-396-9921.