'TIS THE SEASON'-AND A BUSY WEEK WEEK IN NYACK, NY

Cyber Monday, that day dedicated to online holiday shopping, is officially Dec. 2 - but we are getting a jump on things. From Thanksgiving through Monday, we're making your holiday shopping easier than ever - and helping you save a bit of money along the way. Gift certificates, which can be purchased through our site, will be discounted 15%. That means a $100 gift certificate, for example, will only cost you $85. Stock up and let those you love have the fun of shopping at Maria Luisa Boutique or ML by Maria Luisa. You tell us the amount and the recipient, and we'll take care of the rest. (And go ahead, buy a few for yourself - click away from home and then come in and do your own shopping - holiday or otherwise - in person when you have the time. Clever, no?).

We kick things off this month with our special shopping event to benefit The Nyack Center. This "Evening of Giving and Receiving" will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4. Entry is by a $20 tax-deductible donation to the center (free for Nyack Center Legacy Gala attendees). Participants can shop, sip wine, savor hors d'oeuvres (food generously donated by The Art Cafe) and further enjoy 10% off their purchases (with an additional 10% donated by Maria Luisa to The Nyack Center). And don't forget, it's the perfect time to start or add to your Maria Luisa holiday wish list. Hope to see you there. (And note during the event, ML by Maria Luisa will be open to 7:30 p.m. and Maria Luisa Boutique until 9).

The "First Friday" series has really become a Nyack favorite, with a special spirit filling the air that first Friday of every month as stores stay open later and art-themed events fill the downtown. This month, expect our biggest event yet, as the "Holiday Lights of Nyack" event will be happening simultaneously. From 5:30 to 7 p.m., at Veterans Park Gazebo (at Main and Cedar streets), there will be caroling, children's activities and yes, the annual tree lighting. Be sure to make Maria Luisa part of your evening, too, as we will be hosting the opening of Part II of our exhibition featuring those profiled in the Local Arts Index. We sponsor the column on Nyack News & Views - and hope you enjoy it. Back in October, we had our first group show and it was quite the success. We hope Dec. 6 - from 5 to 8 p.m. in the lower-level gallery space of ML by Maria Luisa (Gifts & Accessories) - will be just as lovely an event. See you there.

Here are 10 ways to maximize your shopping dollars this holiday weekend. 1.Make a list of all who will LOVE and APPRECIATE receiving a Maria Luisa Gift Card. GCards are available from $25 and up. 2.Do the math, and calculate how MUCH you will SAVE by ordering Maria Luisa Gift Cards online between NOW and Dec 2. 3.Now, place your Maria Luisa Gift Cards order. 4.Take advantage of our 15% discount offer and purchase addidional Maria Luisa Gift Card for YOU to use towards your holiday shopping this season. 5.Browse through other items below that are also available for purchase at Maria Luisa and or marialuisaboutique.com and you'll save 15% on your purchase of these now through Dec. 2. 6.Go ahead and share this savings opportunity with your friends and family, you never know, there may be a surprise gift card or two coming you way as a result of your share. 7.And there is FREE SHIPPING storewide at marialuisaboutique now for total purchases of $100.00. Use Code FREESHIP. 8.Come into Maria Luisa and ML by Maria Luisa, leave your WishList for all the items you would love to receive from our shops AND save 10% on your purchase - Here are the details. 9.Register your American Express card for Small Business Saturday-DETAILS... 10.Saturday November 30, shop your local small businesses.