GULF SHORES, Ala. – Officials with the city of Gulf Shores are gearing up for events to celebrate the Christmas season including considering the mail out of 75,000 Christmas cards to families who visited during the summer.

The council first presented the resolution to pay for the festivities in a Committee of the Whole meeting Monday afternoon, then approved the resolution paying nearly $40,000 for the cards and other ceremonies.

“Christmas will be here before we know it,” Director of Recreation and Cultural Affairs Director Grant Brown told the mayor and council in a pre-meeting memo. “Last year we kicked off the season with the traditional City Open House on the first Thursday of the month. We then expanded the festivities by hosting ‘Christmas at the Beach,’ parading from City Hall to the beach where children’s activities and entertainment was topped off with a tree lighting event.

“We hope to duplicate the events and improve upon them for Christmas 2011.”

According to Brown's memo, city administrator Steve Garman suggested the city send a holiday greeting card to every family who vacationed in Gulf Shores in 2011. He estimates the cost to be about $25,000. The proposed date for the mail out is Nov. 14.

Other events include the Open House on Dec. 1 starting at 6 p.m. The library, museum and Bodenhamer Center will be open for crafts, snacks and entertainment.

At 7 p.m. Santa Claus will arrive at the Erie Meyer Civic Center followed at 7:15 p.m. with musical performances featuring local youth and a live band.

On Dec. 3 there will be a parade down Alabama 59 to the Public Beach for a “Christmas on the Beach” celebration. There will be a holiday lighting of palm trees, lifeguard stand and the public beach area.

Also included will be a live nativity, pictures with Santa, arts and crafts and refreshments.

Dec. 10 is the day for breakfast with Santa at the civic center at 8 a.m. There will be photo opportunities with Santa. One girl and one boy will be given a bike during the festivities.