Looking for something fun to do this holiday season. There are numerous different activities you can take part in during this festive time of year. Share in the holiday cheer and go do something fun for the whole family.  

*   Gift of Lights at Sunset Park. Celebrate the holidays by experiencing over 400 animated and sparkling displays in a convenient, comfortable drive-thru setting!  Enjoy millions of lights, plus festive arches and tunnels.  A Vegas holiday tradition you won’t want to miss and great fun for the entire family. The Gift of Lights is open from November 13^th to January 3^rd. Hours are 5:00pm to 9:00pm Sunday through Thursday and 5:00pm – 10:00pm Friday, Saturday, Thanksgiving and New Years. Price is $13 per car. http://giftoflights.eventsbot.com/

*  The Holiday Cactus Garden at ethel’s chocolate factory and Botanical Cactus Garden is under way through Jan. 1 (closed Christmas Day). In addition to 500,000 lights in the 3-acre garden, the free event will feature Santa and entertainment by professionals and school choirs. The attraction is open sundown-10 p.m. at 2 Cactus Garden Drive in Henderson (800-680-0150). http://www.ethelschocolate.com/about_us/factory_tour.aspx

* The floating ice rink is back at The Village at Lake Las Vegas. Skaters can lace up their skates for frozen fun 3-9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and noon-9 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays through Feb. 15. General admission is $15, $12 for children ages 12 and younger. Several activities are planned Saturday, starting with a polar bear plunge for charity at noon and also including fireworks at 5 p.m. and a tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. at 30 Strada Di Villaggio in Henderson (564-4766).

* The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village  features light displays, carousel and train rides, entertainment and other festive activities. The attraction is open 5:30-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 5:30-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Jan. 2 at 6300 W. Oakey Blvd. General admission is $9.50, $7.50 for children ages 3-11. There are special nights for families and seniors, and anyone who brings in gently used items for the organization’s thrift store will get $2 off admission on Thursday nights (225-9627). http://www.opportunityvillage.org/content/?c=28

* Mystic Falls Park at Sam’s Town turns into a winter wonderland Nov. 26, with 50 light-strewn trees and a 30-foot Christmas tree. The attraction will feature three new polar bear scenes and a river scene with fishing polar bears. Lights and water shows will accompany traditional holiday music. Free 15-minute animated shows will be presented at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 2 (456-7777). http://www.samstownlv.com/things-to-do/mystic-falls

* The Cultural Corridor in downtown Las Vegas will kick off its holiday celebration Dec. 5, with activities planned at the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park, Reed Whipple Cultural Center, Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Lied Discovery Children’s Museum and Las Vegas Library. The corridor, which also includes Cashman Center and the Neon Museum, will have a variety of exhibits, performances and special events scheduled throughout December. http://www.culturalcorridorvegas.org/

* Tickets are on sale for rides on the Santa Train in Boulder City Dec. 5-6 and 12-13. The half-hour rides will include a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a toy train exhibit, Santa’s North Pole mailbox and sleigh. Food and cocoa will be sold. Train tickets are $2. The train will depart at the top of each hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Nevada State Railroad Museum Depot, 600 Yucca St. (486-5006). http://www.nevadasouthern.com/SantaTrain2009/

Happy Holidays! We hope your holidays are filled with joy, laughter and love.

Looking for the perfect holiday gift? How about a brand new American West home? American West has made it easier than ever to purchase a brand new home with our Holiday Gift offer. Need help with your closing costs – we got you covered. How about help with paying your mortgage for the next two years? No problem. And because we want your new home to include everything on your wish list, we are also helping with the custom features you select. Who could ask for a better holiday gift?

 Every American West home is known for its quality construction, abundance of included custom features, pool-sized backyards and superior customer service. The value that is built into every American West home is incomparable. The highly sought-after locations of neighborhoods with nearby conveniences, the spaciousness of the home designs, and everything included in your new home are just an added bonus. We realize your new home will be a reflection of your family’s personality and values, so it’s with a sense of commitment, honor and pride that we build every American West home.

 Homebuyers can choose from 9 American West communities featuring home designs from 1, 216 to 4,770 sq. ft. with up to 6 bedrooms. There are even split-level homes with an included elevator – no other builder in Las Vegas includes an elevator in their homes! Homes start as low as $188,500.   

 Our greatest accomplishment has always been the over 15,000 families who call an American West home their own. Who could ask for a better job then helping make the dream of a new home come true for the families of Southern Nevada? When you buy a home from American West, you can take comfort in knowing that you’ve bought form the Number One Builder in America, American West, America’s best.

 For more information on our holiday gift offer, please call (702) 308-1111. Information on all our communities along with floorplans, photography and virtual tours can be found at www.AmericanWestHomes.com.

 Let us help you discover how we can make the dream of owning a new home come true for you today. Happy Holidays!