1.  Candlelight Services are tonight

Are you looking for a place to celebrate the reason for the season? Here's just a sampling of local candlelight church services offered in Oconee County tonight: 

Ashford Memorial Methodist Church, 5:30 p.m., 1 South Main Street, downtown Watkinsville

Grace Fellowship, 5:30 p.m., 1120 Malcom Bridge Road, Watkinsville 

Mars Hill Baptist Church, 6 p.m., 2661 Mars Hill Road, Watkinsville

Oconee Presbyterian Church, 5 p.m. and again at 10 p.m., 2601 Hog Mountain Road, Watkinsville

Oconee River Methodist Church, 6 p.m., Watkinsville Community Center, 191 VFW Drive, Watkinsville 

Check our Events Calendar for other local services held this evening.

2.  Shopping is almost over!  

For those shopaholics, it's painful to hear, I know, but it's true.  Most retail locations will be closing early tonight so make those last minute runs before dinnertime!

Publix in Butler's Crossing on Experiment Station Road, is closing tonight at 7 p.m.  But if you hurry you might still snag some of those 50-percent-off Christmas decorations and doodads I saw in there yesterday!

Walmart on Epps Bridge is closing early, too.  Make that one last trip before 8 p.m. or you'll have to try and catch Santa before he leaves the pole.

Kohls is kicking today with huge holiday sales. They close at 6 p.m.  so save while you can! 1991 Epps Bridge Road.

Have that ham yet? Kroger on Epps Bridge Road is closing its door at 7 p.m. tonight. 

How about picking up some Joyous Jelly Beans at Trader Joe's? They've got special little holiday treats for under $4 until 6 p.m. tonight!

Have you been shopping more than you are sleeping? Stop of at Jittery Joe's in downtown Watkinsville for that mocha before 6 p.m.  Starbuck's on Epps Bridge closes its bakery at 6 p.m. but keeps that drive-thru open until 7 p.m!

3.  No library rentals today but you can still buy a gift book

Oconee Library is closed today but reopens Mon., Dec., 27 at 10 a.m.  There's still time to get the book-lover on your shopping list something he or she would love at Books Galore. They're open until 2 p.m. today. 1011 Stonebridge Pkwy., Watkinsville.

4.  Santa's coming to town!

Need to know how much time you have left to clean out your fireplace before Santa gets there?  We'll be tracking him for you!  Sign up for our Twitter Tweets: @OconeePatch and "like" us on Facebook  and we'll keep you updated today and tonight! Your kids will love you for it!

Santa called Patch this morning said he had already hit Tokyo, Japan early this morning and was headed to Seoul, South Korea by mid-morning. What a go-getter!  Stay tuned!

5.  FYI: Oconee Patch will have a listing of Christmas Day services

Check back with us after dinner tonight, we'll have a list of special local services for you and your family to attend tomorrow.  We may have to include weekend snow updates to that as well!