Don't have a gift? Forgot to buy the ham? Need to entertain the kids? Here are some tips and sources for making it through Christmas.

But, first the good news, it could be a white Christmas.

"Everyone has a good chance of an inch or two of snow," said Kyle Carstens, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Rapid City.

A "little system" in the form of a cold front and snow will move through the region this afternoon and into the evening, Carstens said. Winds are expected to range from 15 to 30 miles per hour.

The Northern Hills could pick up an additional one to three inches of snow with this system. Other areas should get a "dusting" of snow, Carstens said.

Temperatures today should reach the upper 30s before the cold front arrives and temperatures dip slightly into the teens overnight.

Highs on Christmas Day are expected to range from the upper 20s to the lower 30s.

Anyone planning to travel today or Christmas Day should be alert.

"With temperatures above freezing, when the snow starts any untreated roadways could become slippery," Carstens said.

To check area road reports call 511 or visit http://safetravelusa.com/sd/.

Carstens also recommends taking advantage of the nice weather early today to finish last minute Christmas shopping before the weather changes.

Last-minute gift ideas

If you still have a few unchecked recipients on you gift list, don't panic. There's still time to find a creative gift that says you care.

And, if you're a gentleman who put off getting something for the special women in your life, remember Christmas Eve is considered "Men's Jewelry Day," according to Dan Tribby, general manager of the Prairie Edge Trading Company and Galleries at Sixth and Main Street.

"That's the thing (women's gifts) they forget," Tribby said.

Along with an excellent selection of jewelry, Prairie Edge has several unique gift suggestions.

"We have some absolutely wonderful by-the-hour candles," Tribby said.

The candles are modeled after courting candles from an earlier period. The candles once served as a "time clock" for courting couples. They burn for about 20 minutes and then go out.

"They are antique looking and absolutely wonderful," Tribby said.

And, you can never go wrong with books or music.

If you have someone that's absolutely impossible to buy for, no matter what their taste, it's hard to go wrong with a book or music, according to Tribby.

Winter is a perfect time to curl up with a good book, under a snuggly throw beside the soft glow of a candle.

Tribby also suggests looking for those things that people manage to do without.

Gift baskets and gift certificates are popular at Someone's In The Kitchen, according to a busy clerk named Jan, who paused briefly between customers to answer the phone Sunday.

Silicone bake ware has also sold well, she said.

The AeroGarden, a hydroponic, home garden, is also popular, she said. "We've been having a lot of fun with that."

Or, to bring the feeling of a wood fire into the home, Jan suggests a WoodWick Candle. The wooden candle wick actually crackles like a wood fire.

If you're really stumped for that perfect gift, consider a gift certificate or movie gift pack, complete with soda, candy and a free movie rental

Gift certificates for movies are popular, according to Jessica Grissith, a cashier at Mr. Movies, 1601 Cambell St.

"In the last three days I've sold them (gift certificates) to a lot of people," Grissith said.

Shopping

Rushmore Mall is open today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but closed on Christmas Day. It reopens Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., so you can return the sweater from grandma and use those gift cards.

Prairie Edge will close between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. today.

Someone's In The Kitchen is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

Groceries and supplies

Family Thrift Center east and west: Close at 5 p.m. today. Closed Christmas.

Albertson's: Open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. today. Closed Christmas.

Safeway Baken Park: Open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. Open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas.

Safeway Mt. Rushmore Rd.: Open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. Closed Christmas.

Wal-Mart: Closes at 6 p.m. today. Closed Christmas.

Walgreens at Baken Park: Open 24 hours a day through the holidays.

Community Dinner

If you want to share the holiday with others, volunteers in Belle Fourche are hosting the 25th Annual Free Christmas Dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the downtown Community Hall.

Television

TBS will show a 24-hour marathon beginning at 7 p.m. today of "A Christmas Story," the story of Ralphie, a young boy who wishes for a BB gun for Christmas but all the adults in his life respond to that wish the same way: "You'll shoot your eye out."

ABC Family will show a marathon all day today of classic Christmas movies including "The Year without a Santa Claus," "Frosty the Snowman" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

NBC will show "It's a Wonderful Life" beginning at 7 p.m. tonight.

The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade will air at 10 a.m. Christmas Day on ABC.

Movies

South Dakotans will recognize portions of their home state in "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" starring Nicolas Cage. The movie is showing at Carmike Stadium 10 in Rapid City and Northern Hills Cinema in Spearfish.

Opening Christmas Day at Rushmore Stadium 7 and Northern Hills Cinema is the family movie "The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep," rated PG. It is about a boy who finds a mysterious egg that hatches into a water horse he attempts to keep a secret from his family.

Other family movies (rated G or PG) playing today and Christmas at various locations are The Golden Compass, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Perfect Holiday and Enchanted.

For those who are tired of Christmas cheer, monster movie "Aliens v. Predator: Requiem," rated R, opens Christmas Day at Carmike Stadium 10.

For showtimes:

Carmike Stadium 10 341-5888. Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Rushmore Seven 341-7021. Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Northern Hills Cinema, Spearfish 642-4212. Closed Christmas Eve, open Christmas Day.

Skiing

If you need to work off the eggnog, both Black Hills ski resorts are open Christmas Day. For hours and ski conditions, call or visit the Web sites.

Terry Peak

1-800-456-0524

www.terrypeak.com

Deer Mountain

1-888-410-DEER

www.skideermountain.com

Storybook Island

Storybook Island children's park in Rapid City is decorated in lights for the holidays. The night display will be open every night from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. until Dec. 31. Admission is $1. Visitors can warm up with cookies and hot chocolate while they tour the park.

Track Santa

Is he here yet? Children can track Santa's every move as he drives his sleigh around the world delivering presents today.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command uses aerospace technology to "track" Santa.

Call 1-877-HI-NORAD or visit www.noradsanta.org.