It seems that everyone is looking for ways to cut back a little this holiday season, while still being able to give a nice gift to friends and family.

Until Christmas, I am going to keep an on-going list of places in Orlando that are offering special deals on holiday gift cards. Several of these are for gift cards that can be purchased at a reduced price and others are offering a bonus certificate with gift card purchases.

These special deals are from emails that I receive, newspaper ads and mail coupons. What has been your experience with this type of gift? Do you have any special deals to recommend? Share your comments below.

Yes, Virginia, there really is a Christmas, Florida. Florida may not see much snow, but the small post office near the historical Fort Christmas sees plenty of activity this time of year. People come from miles around to have their Christmas cards postmarked "Christmas, Florida!" If you go, expect to wait in longer-than-usual lines for what has become a holiday tradition for many.

Need a unique gift for that special someone? Here are a few ideas on where to shop in the Orlando area for this holiday season.

Find the closest shopping mall complete with store phone numbers, holiday hours and mall specials. Visit Orlando Mall and Shopping Area web sites to purchase gift certificates on-line, find out where Santa will be or print out mall coupons.

More: Orlando Gift Giving Guide

Where do you like to shop? Post your comments below.

This holiday season, families and friends can celebrate the holidays like never before at SeaWorld Orlando. A holiday favorite, The Polar Express Experience treats guests to an exciting adventure to the North Pole aboard. Plus, enjoy three all-new shows:

• Winter Wonderland on Ice, an ice-skating spectacular
• Clyde and Seamore's Countdown to Christmas, a holiday-themed comedy
• A Sesame Street Christmas, even the little ones can celebrate the spirit of the season with Elmo, Big Bird and other Sesame Street friends

This is a great time of the year to visit SeaWorld Orlando.  In addition to the Florida Resident Fun Card which if purchased now, can be used till the end of 2010, Military members can still take advantage of SeaWorld's "Here's to the Heroes" free admission.

^{Photo © SeaWorld Orlando}

Orlando's famed ICEBAR on International Drive is a combination lounge, bar and attraction all rolled into one. The 27 degree ICEBAR consists of a room covered in ice; walls, bar, table, chairs - even your drink will be served in a glass of ice.

During the entire month on December, the Gaylord Palms presents ICE!, a chilly display of more than 2 million pounds of shaped, chiseled and painted ice sculptures in traditional holiday configurations. Be sure to bring your winter coat, scarf and mittens, the temperature is kept at a shivery 9 degrees.

^{ICE! Photo © Tony Conboy}

Ice Skating in Orlando - what a great way to get into the holiday spirit!

For the first time ever, the City of Winter Park will be hosting  "Winter in the Park" Ice Skating Ring located in Central Park West Meadow.  The 3200 square foot rink will be open daily through January 3, 2010.  Call 407-599-3203 for more information.

Light Up UCF treats college students and visitors to 50 nights of music, lights & ice.  Open daily till January 8, 2010, Orlando's largest outdoor ice rink which will also be open daily in front of the UCF Arena.

Open year-round, the RDV Ice Den in Maitland offers an indoor NHL sized ice rink.  Open 7 days a week it is a great venue for parties and private events.

Santa Claus is coming to Orlando. It's time to round up all the good little girls and boys with their holiday wish list for their annual visit to see Santa. In addition to area malls, Santa has several other scheduled stops. Check out the list of where to find Santa in Orlando this holiday season.

In addition to having your child's photo taken with Santa, this year 3 area malls will have select evenings where you can also bring in your pet for a visit with Santa. Check the dates and times for having your pet's photo taken with Santa.

^{Photo © Mall at Millenia}

The annual Winter Park Boat Parade -- Festival of Lights is back, and the 2009 parade will take place December 12^th on Lakes Virginia and Osceola.   The Winter Park Boat Parade and Festival of Lights is a fun, community-wide water parade with holiday-themed and lighted boats along the lakes' shorelines.

The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens will host pre-parade activities including a water ski show by former SeaWorld and Cypress Gardens skiers. The museum also hosts the official judging station for the Parade and will have music, food, wine and parking beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the Polasek Gardens. Dinky Dock off Fairbanks Avenue is another viewing area for the parade with the Lake Osceola parade beginning at sundown.

5:00 - NEW! Water ski show in Lake Osceola by the area's top skiers

5:30 - Parade boats line up in Lake Osceola on the eastern side of the lake

Sundown - The parade will kick off on Lake Virginia

6:30 - Boats parade in front of judges at Albin Polasek Museum & Gardens and tour Lake Osceola

The Phantom of the Opera, playing at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre January 20 through February 14, 2010, and Florida Theatrical Association have donated over $10,000 to the City of Orlando after a month-long effort to help restore the Lake Eola Fountain. At the beginning of October The Phantom of the Opera agreed to donate $5 of every ticket purchased to any performance of the show during that month. The four week run of PHANTOM sold 2169 tickets in October resulting in a donation of $10,845 toward refurbishing the Lake Eola Fountain. More:

• Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando.
• Theater and Performing Arts venues in Orlando.

The City of Winter Park is once again preparing to host a string of festive events this holiday season.
Gather with friends, family and loved ones to experience these annual holiday traditions in Winter Park,
the "City of Culture and Heritage."

• New this year is "Winter in the Park" ice skating rink in Central Park West Meadow.  Skate your way through the holiday season every day during the month of December.
• The tradition continues as the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art celebrates the season with their annual Christmas in the Park celebration on December 3rd beginning at 6:15pm.
• Head over to the Casa Feliz after the Christmas in the Park celebration for Cookies Cocoa and Carols from 7 - 9pm.
• The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremnony and Holiday Stroll will be held on Friday, December 4th at 5pm in Central Park.  Watch for a special appearance from Santa.
• After the tree is lit, spread out your blanket and enjoy two holiday classic movies in the park.  At 7pm "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" starts the evening followed by the 1954 classic "White Christmas."
• Another option on December 4th is Music in the Galleries at the Morse Museum of American Art.  Free admission and music from 4 - 8pm.
• The 57th Annual Winter Park Christmas Parade will begin at 9am on Saturday, December 5th.  Holiday themed floats and Santa Clause will make their way down Park Avenue.
• Leadership Winter Park will host the annual Pancake Breakfast at the Central Park main stage from 7 - 10:30 am. Enjoy hot pancakes, sausage and beverages for just $5 per adult and $3 per child with proceeds benefiting Winter Park area elementary schools.

^{Father Christmas and the Christ Child: Photo © Morse Museum of American Art}