Summer Jarro

Americans jumped into the holiday season eagerly this year, with shopping for the spookiest time of the year starting earlier than ever.

Andrea Cortez-Reyes comes from a family of entrepreneurs.

Co-owner Windy Hall, left, of Fruitland Park, helps Roddy Smith, of the Village of Hawkins, lift a tire to buy on Monday at Villages Cycles in Brownwood. Villages Cycles began its Black Friday deals at the end of October. Joseph Cooke, Daily Sun

The holiday season is about showing gratitude and giving back to those in need, and several local businesses are getting into the spirit.

Wendy Quattlebaum, of the Village of Largo, right, looks at Christmas decorations with her niece Susan Hall, of Carrollton, Georgia, at Rustic Rose Home Accents and Gifts in Brownwood.

Jenna Orbaker, fitness coach at Orangetheory Fitness, paints a Christmas scene on the window outside of the store on Wednesday at Orangetheory Fitness in Lake Sumter Landing. Sophia Lucente, Daily Sun

Consumers came out in full force ready to spend over the Thanksgiving shopping weekend. About 197 million people went shopping over the five-day Thanksgiving shopping weekend that included Black Friday,

Mariah Adams, a bartender, displays pomegranate and tiramisu martinis on Thursday at Bella Vita Italian Steakhouse in Spanish Springs, one of several businesses participating in the Shop & Dine Holidays this month. Rachel Govola, Daily Sun

Cornelia “CC” Martin, left, of the Village of Belle Aire, and Keith Williams, of the Village of Newell, demonstrate fencing at Monday’s By The Sword Fencing Expo. Another expo event takes place Jan. 20 at Everglades Recreation. Rachel Govola, Daily Sun

Wednesday’s cold weather didn’t stop the community from coming out to celebrate the opening of Sawgrass Tavern.