The holiday shopping season officially get underway on Friday. That means packed malls and shopping centers with crazed shoppers searching desperately for a parking space and standing impatiently in long lines.

Kingsburg's downtown merchants are hoping that the community will remember them as a convenient, relaxing alternative to shopping in Fresno or Visalia this weekend. Their stores are all dressed up for Christmas, and there are endless gift possibilities for even the most selective shoppers.

Friday night also marks the traditional Julgransfest celebration

Kathy Figueroa, owner of Gifts on Draper, said that Friday is typically one of her busiest days of the year.

"I can sell anything if I can get people to walk in the door," she said.

A handmade grand piano replica and musically-themed Christmas tree greet visitors to Gifts on Draper. The tree is adorned with gold musical instruments, bows with music notes, and grand piano ornaments. Holiday stockings hang from the walls, and the assortment of angels will delight any collector. The festive store is filled with specialty items from independent lines that can only be found in boutiques.

Figueroa said that some of her biggest sellers so far have been angels and collectible plates. She said that she wonders why people aren't more inclined to shop locally.

"With gas prices what they are, why won't people shop in town?," Figueroa wondered.

Sharon Person, co-owner of Our Stuga, said that once people get enough of the chaos in Fresno, they come to Kingsburg.

"So we just wait our turn," Person said. "I think for people who don't like the crowds, it's a slower pace."

Our Stuga, known for its elaborate Christmas displays, features beautiful home decor items and unique baby gifts that can't be found in department stores. They have a vast assortment of candles in all sizes and colors, and gourmet food items to compliment holiday or everyday dishes.

Person said that holiday shoppers often have a hard time passing up purchases for themselves.

"Some definitely buy gifts for others, but then they get the guilty look when they find something for their home," she said.

Janet Tromborg got a jump start on her shopping last Friday, heading over to Apple Dumplin' Antiques after purchasing a wreath and some greenery for her home in Our Stuga.

"We come here a lot -- I always check here before I get gifts elsewhere," Tromborg said. "Just walking through Our Stuga gets me in the Christmas mood."

Trinkets and Treasures, located on Marion Street, has a little bit of everything: Handmade jewelry, kelly green Kingsburg High Vikings T-shirts and sweatshirts, Christmas ornaments, baby and children's gifts, handmade soaps and candles, and even custom engraving.

Friday evening's Julgransfest, or Christmas tree party, will officially start Kingsburg's Christmas season, and will give shoppers a few extra hours of browsing, as the stores will be open late. The festivities will get underway at 6 p.m. in Memorial Park, where the procession down Draper Street will begin. Everyone is invited to join the group of carolers who will sing joyous Christmas songs as they make their way through downtown, which will be aglow with twinkle lights. The procession will end in front of the Christmas tree at Draper and California streets. After the tree is lit, young and old alike will join hands and dance around the tree to Swedish folk music.