Before we know it, Thanksgiving will be over and people will be thinking about what to do to get in the mood for Christmas.

Yes, baking cookies and putting up the tree while listening to Johnny Mathis really helps when it comes to conjuring up memories. But if taking the family on a train ride to snowy Leavenworth or setting sail on a Christmas ship to see twinkling lights sounds like fun, there’s plenty to do in the area to please everyone.

The following list is a sprinkling of ideas on what to do around the Puget Sound for an evening or day away where the whole family can join together and celebrate the spirit of Christmas. The most important key to a Yuletide trip worthy of good holiday memories is to make a reservation early to avoid disappointment.

Festival of ships

An evening of carol singing while sailing the waters of the Puget Sound can add twinkle and joy to an otherwise cold and dark December night.

The Argosy Christmas Ship Festival has been a favorite since 1949.

The Spirit of Seattle is the official Christmas ship. It is decorated with thousands of white lights and other holiday decorations. The ship is the leader of the flotilla that includes Argosy parade boats and private vessels.

A different choir performs every night on board the Spirit of Seattle. Their music is broadcast via speakers to other boats and reaches people on the shore who gather to build bonfires.

Whether you sail on the Christmas ship or any other of the Argosy boats that follow, you can order a box dinner from Larry’s Market when you make your reservation. The menu includes something for everyone, from cold poached salmon with dill sauce to peanut butter and jam sandwiches.

For those who prefer dining in style, the Royal Argosy Ship offers a three-course dinner. This ship sails on selected nights but when it does, it is part of the flotilla.

Other Argosy parade boats serve as a great way to view the Christmas ship on the nightly cruise. They also offer activities such as a ho-ho-ho contest, a sing-a-long and a kids’ coloring corner.

Prices range from $19.50 to $79.95 for adults, $10.50 to $29.95 for children. A portion of ticket sales is donated to charity to feed the hungry.

The Christmas Ship Festival runs every night from Dec. 1 through 23. Ships depart from various locations including Kirkland, Edmonds, Pier 55 and Leschi. Check the schedule details.

Ship of lights

Alki tours offers an evening of holiday cheer on Dec. 6 cruising through Lake Union to Lake Washington.

Visitors can either meet at HC Henry Pier on the south end of Lake Union or be picked up by luxury coach at one of three locations, north, south and central, to be taken to the boat.

The cruise begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. During the three-hour sail a chef will whip up a delightful menu that includes blue-ribbon chicken, handmade hearth bread and a festive holiday dessert.

Dinner will be served while passengers relax and listen to holiday music while taking in the Christmas lights on shore.

Cost is $79.

Snow train

The mile-long Christmas Snow Train will depart from Everett, Edmonds and Seattle six times in December and chugga-chug its way to the Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth.

The train carries about 850 passengers, including Santa, 118 miles east so passengers can enjoy about five hours in Leavenworth. Visit the brewery or shop in the bakeries. Carol singers stroll the main street, and Santa and Mrs. Claus walk arm-in-arm through the town.

Fares include continental breakfast, dinner and onboard entertainment. Dress warmly. It’s cold and snowy in Leavenworth.

The Christmas Snow Train dates are Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19. Call soon; some dates are sold out.

Trains leaves Seattle’s King Street Station about 8 a.m., Edmonds at 8:40 a.m. and Everett Station about 9:15 a.m. They arrive at Leavenworth at noon. The trains leave Leavenworth at 5:30 p.m. and arrive in Seattle about 10:30 p.m.

Tickets are $119 for adults and $109 for children aged 12 or under. The official Leavenworth tree lighting dates this year are Dec. 4 and 11.

Bus to Leavenworth

The Everett Parks and Recreation Department offers a bus trip to Leavenworth for the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony.

This one-day-only event leaves at 9:30 a.m. and returns to Everett at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11. The bus departs from the Parks and Recreation center at Forest Park.

In Leavenworth, visitors are free to enjoy the many delights that the Bavarian-style town has to offer.

Cost is $28 for adults and $22 for youths ages 8 to 16 accompanied by a participating adult.

Victorian Christmas tour

Enjoy a Victorian Christmas tour from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Puyallup Fairgrounds and finish your holiday shopping.

Arrive relaxed after being transported by bus, then get in the festive mood by strolling through streets lined with Victorian storefronts.

Everett Parks Department’s all-day trip leaves from the Everett Station, Bus Bay A, 3021 Smith Ave., Everett.

The $29 cost covers transportation and admission to the fairgrounds. Children must be 13 years or older.

Zoo lights

Another holiday favorite from Alki Tours is the Santa Express to Tacoma to tour the beautiful Christmas lights at the Point Defiance Zoo.

Sing Christmas carols on the train from Seattle to Tacoma with the help of revelers clad in red hats. Watch for Santa joining the troupe to hand out gifts.

Once in Tacoma visitors board a bus to the zoo to witness the dazzling almost half million lights including a replica of Mount Rainier and a few giant spiders.

This trip is available Dec. 4, 11 and 18 and costs $64 for adults, $49 for children. The price includes round-trip transportation, snacks, entertainment and admission to the zoo.

Reporter Christina Harper: 425-339-3491 or harper@heraldnet.com.