Holiday fun without the gorging: A guide to Thanksgiving and other holiday events in the area

Oh Thanksgiving, that wonderful time of year when a holiday that celebrates the all-American values of overeating, over-drinking and regret. We get to gather with the family to watch the Lions lose and drown our sorrows in gravy. It's a truly magical time of year. Keep the magic rolling with this guide of holiday events in the Ann Arbor area.

TUESDAY

• Don't miss AnnArbor.com's live online chat about Thanksgiving dishes, starting at noon.

• Ladies, join in the Voices in Harmony Chorus holiday chorus at the First Presbyterian Church of Ypsilanti

• Kids can enjoy a Thanksgiving Evening Storytime

WEDNESDAY

• Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! Thanksgiving 2012 at the Ann Arbor District Library. Make a special Thanksgiving decoration for your holiday.

Peggy Lampman | Contributor

• Ann Arbor Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot

• Need somewhere to get a meal? Here's a roundup. It also includes ways you can help others.

FRIDAY

• Santa’s Mailbox will be installed at Schakolad Chocolate Factory until December 17.

• Work off that pumpkin pie during the Thanksgiving hours at the Mack Indoor Pool.

• Watch Warner Bros. Cartoons the day at the Michigan Theater.

• In case your holiday gathering isn't enough of a joke, spend your Thanksgiving Weekend with Heywood Banks at Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase

• Matt Watroba returns to The Ark for his traditional post-Thanksgiving concert

SATURDAY

• Time to start decorating: The Annual Holiday Greens Market in Downtown Chelsea

• Annual Handspinners' Holiday Fair at Matthaei Botanical Gardens

• Depot Town tree-lighting celebration

• Celebrate at the Winter Festival in Dexter

• Test your knowledge with Turkey Trivia and make a holiday decoration at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

• Gingerbread Houses for Teens at the Dexter District Library

• Thanksgiving Feast Storytime Event at Barnes and Noble

SUNDAY

• It's time again for Sing-Along "White Christmas" at the Michigan Theater

• Kerrytown Market & Shops will hold their Annual Tree Lighting Festival

• Gemini's Thanksgiving concerts at The Ark benefit Mott Children’s Hospital

THANKSGIVING LINKS

• Here's this collection of recipes that combines the best coping mechanisms of all: Booze and dessert.

• But maybe you're excited about Thanksgiving. Probably not excited as the girl who sings about it.

• Of course, Arlo Guthrie has really cornered the market on Thanksgiving songs.

• You'll definitely need something funny to post on your Facebook page. Maybe this.

• Maybe you should start a new holiday tradition of bringing weird holiday-themed foods to dinner. Here's a review of White Chocolate Peppermint Pringles and other holiday Pringle flavors.