Get ready for holidays with these freebies

HOUSTON

'Tis the season for free food with the 12 Days of Whataburger, and it's not too late to sign up. Customers who sign up at whataburger.com will receive different coupons every other day via email. Coupons include offers for free Whataburger favorites such as fries, drinks, and fried pies. The 12 days of Christmas is going on now and ends December 23 with a free Whataburger coupon.

Pottery Barn is offering holiday classes this Sunday at its Houston locations. The event starts at 10pm and Pottery Barn experts will be providing holiday ideas for everything from trimming the tree to setting the table. Class size is limited and guests are asked to RSVP by calling the store. There are three local Pottery Barns.

The South Shore Harbour in League City is offering Sundays with Santa from 11am to 2pm. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there and admission is free. There will be a gingerbread house and winter wonderland in the lobby area, and Santa will pose for pictures with children whose parents bring cameras.

Make downtown Houston a destination for the holidays. Starting at 6pm, join Mayor Annise Parker as she hosts her first official holiday celebration at City Hall's Hermann Square complete with tree lighting, music and a fireworks extravaganza. There will be free photos with Santa, music and fireworks. And throughout the season, the tree lighting and fireworks will begin at 7pm.

Also two free holiday trolleys will run Friday evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday from now through New Year's Eve. With 11 pick-up and drop-off sites, the trolleys can help you explore all of downtown so you have to park only once.