"Willow Glen is such a pleasurable place to be and shop," Willow Glen Business and Professional Association President Cathy Adkins said. "It's our signature time to shine."

In keeping with tradition, the association jump starts the season with its traditional tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 2 at Willow Glen Elementary School. Then on Dec. 3 and 4, merchants are inviting resident to drop by their stores from 6 to 8 p.m. for an open house-style evening that includes holiday refreshments. That same evening shoppers can enjoy live music at the Willow Glen Coffee Roasting Co. from 8 to 10 p.m. The association also plans to offer its popular horse and carriage rides again starting the weekend of Dec. 11. But reservation must be made ahead of time and online.

Santa comes home to Willow Glen on Dec. 4 and will be taking wishes every Thursday and Saturday until Dec.23 in his house at 1337 Lincoln Ave. where clothier Twins is located.

For children, Holiday Slipper Stories begin at Hicklebees on Thursday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. beginning Dec. 9. Children are invited to come in their pajamas, listen to a bedtime story, and sip hot cocoa.

For those more independent types Hicklebees, employee Karen Sesody has a trove of gift ideas for children. One book she highly recommends is Unwitting Wisdom: An Anthology of Aesop's Fables by Helen Ward. For pre-schoolers, she recommends Baby Brains by Simon James, Actual Size by Steve Jenkins, and Wild About Books by Judy Sierra. For elementary school children, she recommends Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett and Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.

Many of the downtown merchants are saying that the holiday season is shaping up to be economically stronger than in previous years and a glad to see residents returning to their local neighborhood to shop. For Willow Glen Collective owner Cris Constantino, the holiday rush began earlier than usual, with shoppers coming in to purchase vintage items like collectable ornaments and decorative tableware. Cooking etc. co-owner Dean Sales said the store had it's biggest sales the weekend on Nov. 20, with buyers getting ready for the busy holiday season, purchasing pie tins, grinders and cookie sheets. Sales also recommends decorative gift platters, chef jackets and hats as a gift for the chef of the family.

Adkins, who also owns Willow Glen Books, said, "I'm feeling this is going to be a stronger year than last year." And there are plenty of holiday gift giving ideas being offered by Willow Glen merchants.

Several salons like La Concha Spa and Salon de la Vie, are selling gift certificates for their spa services. One of the La Concha employees said the spa is selling up to 20 gift certificates a day.

Jamba Juice has also experienced a rush for gift certificates. The store is promoting the plastic cards with a "give fruit, not fruitcake" signature line. Customers can load the cards with any amount of money. One customer has even purchased a Jamba Juice gift card worth $100, said one employee.

Details, a men and women's apparel store, has a slew of stocking stuffers, such as mini purses and cell phone holders. However, this year's biggest sellers are on the racks, according to employee Leigh Sager. For women, suede jackets, ponchos, scarves, rhinestone and beaded brooches are all the rage. For men, festive aloha shirts adorned with ornaments or Santa are also on sale.

Several stores on the strip specialize in do-it-yourself goodies. Petroglyph has a variety of holiday themes budding artists can paint and give away, including snowman and Christmas tree dishes, whimsical angel and gingerbread man ornaments and figurines.

Signed & Sealed, a stationary shop, has already seen a rush for holiday cards, employee Sabrina Kinyon said. Cards, which come in packs of 10, can be individualized, either by placing family photos on the front of each card or printing a personalized holiday greeting inside the card.

At Fleurish, Larkspur Lane ornaments and figurines have been great sellers, employee Nikki Leader said, but it's been the Tilano Fresco brand's Decorative Tile Making Kit and Decorative Marble Coaster Kit that has lured in some customers. According to Leader, shoppers are buying the kits to give away to their crafty friends, or use them to make personalized gifts. Each sells for $38.95.

Near Fleurish, Mann's Jewelers has already kicked off the holiday season. Although the 14K gold promise ring promotion is attracting customers, diamonds are still a girl's best friend. Yellow diamonds and loose diamonds have been popular, employee Terry Caldwell said. Many loose diamonds are purchased to upgrade older wedding rings.

All in all it looks like a merry holiday season in downtown. And to Adkins the best part of shopping in Willow Glen is the relationship between customers and shopkeepers. "Our customers are not just dollars and cents to us, we see them throughout the year," she said.