It's time to get serious about Christmas shopping, and an unusual place to begin is "The Joy of Cookies Cookie Tour," the annual shopping/cookie-eating event, today through Sunday on Butler Street, Lawrenceville.

Visit participating merchants between 35th and 53rd streets for a free homemade cookie, recipe card and (sometimes) a drink.

Plan to stop at the queen of all bake sales -- the Cookie Mall in St. Augustine's auditorium -- to stock up on cookies for the holidays.

Other happenings on Saturday include breakfast with Santa, 9 to 11 a.m., followed by pictures with same from 1 to 3 p.m. and main stage performances 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Allegheny Valley Bank parking lot.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Building with gingerbread

On Monday chefs Sally Frey and Randy Russell from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh will compete for the second year in "Gingerbread on Broadway," sponsored by the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Last year the pair took first place with their rendition of the Central Park Carousel.

This year they're pulling out all the stops with a replication of Radio City Music Hall, complete with the Rockettes on stage and a back alley scene on the reverse side -- all edible, too.

On Saturday at AIP, Pittsburgh kids from Girls Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides positive parenting to at-risk children, will join with the Junior League of Pittsburgh to bake cookies.

The girls and their mentors will bake 12 popular holiday cookie recipes, such as Peanut Butter Blossoms, Sugar Cookies, Snickerdoodles and Pecan Sandies. Some cookies will be donated to Vintage Adult Day Center.

Santa on the farm

Ho ho ho! 'Tis a busy time of year for Santa Claus, who will sleigh in to Trax Farms, Finleyville, for breakfast (9:30 a.m.) or lunch (1 p.m.) with kids on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19.

While the kids munch cereal with milk, doughnut holes, orange drink and an apple or hot dog or peanut butter sandwich, chips, orange drink, a cookie and an apple, you can browse the indoor market.

Cost is $6; tickets must be bought in advance at the customer service desk. Call 412-835-3246.

Gaga for gadgets

Looking for a creative Christmas gift idea for your new daughter-in-law? It'd work for a son, too.

Buy her -- or him -- a Gadget of the Month Club membership from In the Kitchen, Wexford.

Each month the recipient will receive a culinary tool that no kitchen should be without, not only practical gadgets but newly released and cutting-edge tools.

Cost is $139.99, plus a one-time shipping charge of $15. Call 724-934-6160.

Gifts of figs

For the teacher, neighbor or host and hostess on your under-$10 gift list, don't go the candle/candy/coffee mug route.

Try giving a jar of imported, almond-stuffed Italian figs from La Prima Espresso in the Strip.

Owner Sam Patti imports them from his home town in Amantea, Italy, which he calls "the land of the figs."

The sweet, stuffed figs have just a hint of orange and are packed in the form of a cross in tissue paper. An 8-ounce box is $9.20.

Patti also has stuffed candied figs in white and dark chocolate packed in a ribboned basket.

All-Clad sale moves

All-Clad's annual factory seconds and accessories sale will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at a new location -- Washington County Fairgrounds.

The sale will also be held at Crate in the Greentree Road Shopping Center Friday through Sunday.

Crate reports it is stocked with all sizes of saute, sauce, stock and frying pans. Call 412-341-5700.

Open house

Soergel Orchards, Wexford, is having a Christmas Open House from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, cookies and cocoa plus samples of gourmet and deli foods, coffee and wine in The Arrowhead Wine Shop.

For that special someone, the Gift Barn has candles, jewelry, scarves, lotions, toys and decorative items.

New on the market

Boca Java Inc. -- Dreidel Delight, the first-ever Hanukkah coffee, flavored with a white chocolate mousse blend and certified Kosher. Costs $5.59. Go to www.bocajava.com. For non-Jews, Boca has Jingle Bell Java, spiced with cinnamon.

Lands' End -- Peppermint Crunch Cookies, a delicious treat with a short chocolate wafer covered with white chocolate and crushed peppermint. Costs $19 for a 1-pound box. At www.landsend.com.

The last word

"Cooking is my one vanity and I am a slave to any guest who praises my culinary art." Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, American writer best known for "The Yearling"