Isn’t it wonderful to truly savor every moment of Thanksgiving — the shopping, the cooking, the hours of overeating, the cleanup (or better yet, the napping) — without giving a single thought to Christmas?
Bah, humbug.
For those who can’t wait for the December holiday season, this week offers a chance to get an early start on the fun.
In fact, you can head to Concord on the eve of Turkey Day for the opening of “Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature,’’ now in its 22nd year at the Concord Museum. Starting Wednesday and running through New Year’s Day, nearly 40 trees will be decorated with original ornaments inspired by children’s books. The Concord Museum is located at 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord. For more information, go to www.concordmuseum.org.
You’ll find even more conifers in Wellesley on Friday, when the Massachusetts Horticultural Society launches its ninth annual Festival of Trees. The festival will showcase decorated trees along with Snow Village, a holiday-themed model train collection. It takes place through Dec. 10 at Mass Hort’s Elm Bank property, 900 Washington St., Wellesley. For more information, go to masshort.org/Festival-of-Trees.
Friday also marks the opening of ZooLights at Stone Zoo, 149 Pond Street, Stoneham. Tree-lined paths at the zoo will be lit by thousands of twinkling lights from 5 to 9 p.m. Stroll through the beautifully lit Yukon Creek and check out the decorated digs of black bears Smoky and Bubba. ZooLights will continue through Dec. 31, but the zoo is closed Christmas Day. For more information, call 617-541-LION (5466) or visit www.zoonewengland.org/engage/zoolights.
Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston will host its 20th annual winter lights display starting Friday and ending Jan. 7. The special event celebrates the arrival of winter and its role in the cycle of plants and nature. Pre-purchased tickets are required; visitors choose the day and time they’d like to attend. Tower Hill is located at 11 French Drive, Boylston. For more information, visit www.towerhillbg.org.
And what about Boston? Wait another week, and the tree-lighting festivities will begin.
Leslie Anderson can be reached at leslie.anderson@globe.com.
