Don't become a victim of holiday havoc. Make your plans now with these holiday traditions in Greenville.

Ice on Main. Upstate South Carolina isn't exactly regarded as an ice skating Mecca. That hasn't stopped Ice on Main from making ice skating in downtown Greenville a holiday tradition. The open air rink opens just after Thanksgiving and remains open, weather permitting, through the third week in January. The rink's even open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Roper Mountain Holiday Lights. Thanksgiving is the unofficial start of the holiday lights season, as well as the official start for the Roper Mountain Holiday Lights extravaganza. The event continues until December 30. The Roper Mountain Winter Wonderland features “Santa Claus and his sleigh, lighted walking trails, balloon artist[s], giant holiday greeting cards, concessions and more.” In addition, a visit to Roper Mountain will help you delay putting up your own holiday lights without getting nagged by the kids.

The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition throughout the United States, including Greenville. Furman University's McAlister Auditorium hosts the Greenville ballet's cherished holiday performance. If you’re interested in something less traditional, there are plenty of other live theater venues in the Greenville area that are likely to have a holiday traditional performance for you and the entire family.

Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade. Some usher in the holiday season by hanging Christmas lights. Others invite the family over for Sunday night hot chocolate. Greenville residents head downtown the first weekend in December and enjoy the Poinsettia Christmas Parade. The parade culminates with participant awards, including best overall, best float, best dance, best marching unit, best band, and the People's Choice Award.

TreesGreenville Turkey Day 8k. Most people welcome the holidays by eating way too much food, a trend that continues all the way through January 1. Isn't it time to start a new tradition? The TreesGreenville Turkey Day 8k takes place on—you guessed it—Thanksgiving. Before you get all psyched up to run, remember that an 8k involves you running eight kilometers (about five miles). You may want to train. A good time to start would be just after pounds of Halloween chocolate have been gobbled.

Holiday Hope. Is it really better to give than to receive during the holidays? Isn't it time to find out? Holiday Hope is a community outreach event that distributes gifts and meals to needy families in Greenville County. The event takes place throughout December and is sponsored by the World Outreach Center. Holiday Hope has also partnered with Toys for Tots and Hope Beyond the Holidays. Residents of Greenville can volunteer with Holiday Hope and learn once and for all that it is better to give than to receive.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start making memories!