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Recognized for its sleek design and unique controller, the Nintedo Wii marks Nintendo's return to power in the home console market. One of the most attractive aspects of this system (other than its minute size) is its price tag. While affordability seems to be a lost concept among next-generation consoles, the Wii clocks in at a reasonable $280.

The Most innovative part of the new nintendo is the Wiimote controller. The controller is motion sensitive, allowing users to play games a whole new way and giving players a more "in game" feel. While some games manage to do this in a surprisingly fluid way, other games feel awkward and fail to registers some motions. The new controllers will give future game designers more creative freedom and there is hope that later games for the Wii will make better use of its functionalities. Of course, the new controller does not come without problems. There have been numerous reports of wayward controllers refusing to stay in gamers' hands and breaking television screens. As far as graphics go, the Wii falls short. The graphics of the Wii are not at all next-gen, and are in fact the exact same as those of the gamecube.

For the casual gamer the Wii is a good fit--the low price tag makes casual gaming affordable and the controller lets casual gamers compete with full time gamers. The virtual arcade allows for the play of original nintendo games, which has great nostalgic value. The Wii is fun to fool around with, but more serious gamers may want to move up to the graphic powerhouses by grabbing a Sony playstation 3 or an xbox 360. The limited selection of games may leave Wii users feeling left out. Still, the Wii is innovative, fun to play, and shows hope for the future.

The vivid colors of autumn have now faded, the first big shopping day of the season is past, winter has already started to show her hand, and this year that we seemed to just ring in sees her days dwindling away. Yes, it's December on Cape Cod and it comes with a special feel in the air. Beginning with the weekend after Thanksgiving, there are many delightful activities all over the Cape that people of all ages can enjoy. You will see a different side of the Cape other than sunny beaches, whale watching and seafood, but it might just start a new christmas tradition in your family for years to come.

Towns all over Cape Cod celebrate the coming of christmas with various activities that have become traditions. christmas strolls, caroling, festive harbor lights, and holiday fairs bring residents and visitors together to celebrate. Concerts and shows abound, helping build the excitement of the season. Many Bed & Breakfasts show off their warm and cozy accommodations with open houses, homemade refreshments and their best holiday finery.

You could start the festivities off by joining a holiday wreath making workshop on the Saturday after Thanksgiving at Pastiche of Cape Cod in West Barnstable. Or how about joining the Chatham-By-The-sea celebration starting in mid-November and stretching through December. There are arts and crafts fairs, candy cane making, holiday plays, and a dinner dance at the Chatham Bars Inn. The Chatham celebration all culminates in a First Night Celebration on New Year's eve.

In Sandwich, the Heritage Museum and Gardens are decked out with a million lights on over 100 acres of gardens from November 24th through the 31st. They also have indoor Victorian displays, a holiday boutique, holiday treats and free rides on an antique carousel, along with other special programs. The classic and timeless holiday tale, A christmas Story, is being performed at the Harwich Junior Theater from December 8th to the 30th. Other performance treats include the Cape Cod Symphony, the Vienna Choir Boys, renditions of Vivaldi's Gloria and Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, as well as readings of Charles Dickens' favorite christmas Carol.

christmas strolls have become a popular Cape Cod tradition in many of the towns. Barnstable, Chatham, Dennis, Falmouth, Harwich, Hyannis, Osterville, Sandwich and Yarmouthport tie in these holiday strolls with other events such as caroling on town greens or at lighthouses, tree lighting, the arrival of Santa (sometimes even by boat!), festive shopping, open houses, holiday treats, special museum events and christmas parades.

Only a few of the holiday activities awaiting you have been listed here, but if you have never experienced the christmas season on Cape Cod, you might want to consider spending a few days exploring what the Cape has to offer. So break out your warm clothes, the hot chocolate and your christmas spirit and start a new tradition for you and yours here on Cape Cod.

Linda Behrle has spent many wonderful vacations on the Cape beginning in her childhood. It is still her favorite place on earth to be. You can find out more about things to do on Cape Cod and christmas on Cape Cod at her website http://www.everythingcapecod.net, as well as complete information for all of your vacation planning needs.