If you’re like me, you ate so much at Thanksgiving, you’re still — a week later — digesting that last piece of pumpkin pie you couldn’t refuse. And if you’re also like me, the end of Thanksgiving means the beginning of the Christmas season.

While I don’t condone the appearance of holiday-related items before Thanksgiving, I’m all about it afterwards. That’s when I load my car up with my Christmas CDs, pull out my decorations and kick my gift purchasing into high gear.

There’s just something about Christmas that brings my mood up to a more cheery level.

Yes, it’s a great season to be working downtown. Every day I drive by the light show on North Main Street and see how the businesses along the way are celebrating the season.

And if you want to jump in on their celebrations, then the downtown businesses that make Suffolk great are here for you. The Downtown Suffolk Holiday Open House kicks off Friday and runs through Sunday at the many stores, eateries, galleries and museums that call the area home. Many businesses will be offering free refreshments, discounts on some of their items and a chance to celebrate the season.

If you’re not one of those who waits until the last minute to purchase those Christmas gifts, then you’re in luck. Stores like the Jester’s Gallery Shop, Richardson & Nash Clothiers and Cordially Invited are all offering discounts. The Artisans Gift Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Suffolk Visitor Center Pavilion, 524 N. Main St., on Saturday.

If it’s food you’re after, the eateries downtown have you covered. Some of the deals include a free dessert with purchase of a dinner entrée at Amici’s and Mosaic by Holland’s, a free pork belly biscuit with an entrée at Harper’s Table and a cupcake-decorating workshop at Plaid Turnip — where, of course, you get to eat the cupcake.

And if you’d like some holiday entertainment, then don’t miss performances of “The Nutcracker” on Saturday and Sunday or the Children’s Chorus carolers, both at Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. Children can even get in on the holiday fun, with special events planned at the Suffolk Art Gallery, the Seaboard Railroad Station Museum and the Hilton Garden Inn.

And these are just a small sampling of what downtown has to offer this weekend.

The holiday season is an excellent time to support the small downtown businesses that are a part of what makes Suffolk a great city in which to live or work. For a full list of activities, go to www.Suffolk-Fun.com.