Here’s a proposed expedition every bit as adventurous (but not nearly as brutal) as Capt. Shackleton’s trek across South Georgia Island: Why not sit down with loved ones and plan to attend every last event being staged over the coming weekend — Dec. 11 to Dec. 13 — of the Christmas In Edgartown extravaganza?

If you peruse the schedule published in the Gazette, you may realize that, with some careful strategizing, it could be done and, moreover, would be wicked fun. (So fun, you might get cocky and chart a course for Tisbury’s Thursday night shopping, eating and entertainment bonanza, too.)

First you need to Google the weather forecast, and when you do, you will learn that Friday will be partly clear, the temperature a chilly 32 degrees. Saturday shows promise; mostly sunny with a six-point spike to 38 degrees. Sunday too will be at 38 degrees, but there’s a 30 per cent chance of rain or snow. None of this should deter the resolute Christmas-in-Edgartown-reveler.

Friday morning, proceed to don layers of cotton, wool and polypropylene heat-retainers, followed by a bundling up in double-knit cap, boots and overcoat. All set? Drive to Edgartown and, if you’d rather not hassle with parking, roll your car into the lot just south of the Triangle, and take one of the handy free shuttles into town. Or hail a bus at the stop nearest you, and grab a $2 ride into the heart of Edgartown in front of the Visitors Center on Church street.

Your first stop — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — will be the Anchors holiday open house, diagonally across from Memorial Wharf, where you’ll enter the fragrant rooms to hear Adele Dyer on piano, and meet the Edgartown firemen plus their good buddy Santa Claus, who’ll be dispensing free stockings full of goodies.

Next you’ll want to join the Inns of Edgartown Tour — 2 to 4 p.m. – with refreshments at the Hob Knob, Ashley Inn, Habor View Hotel, Point Way Inn, Victorian Inn, and down on North Water street, the Edgartown Residence Inn and the Fallon Inn. A donation will be welcomed.

If you haven’t chowed down sufficiently during the above outings, from 2 to 5 p.m. make your way over to the posh Détente Restaurant on Winter street in Nevin Square, where complimentary hors d’oeuvre will be served.

And there’s more free stuff, to wit a complimentary Irish coffee from 5 to 9 p.m. at Atlantic Fish and Chop House at 2 Main street (if you’re a teetotaler, try asking for coffee without the Irish).

Now make your way over to the mini park on Main street where you can enjoy a Rotary Club-sponsored hayride from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to the Harbor View Hotel which, conveniently enough, overlooks the Edgartown Lighthouse, where from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. there’ll be a special lighting. If you’d like to view the gorgeousness of a lit-up lighthouse from the hotel itself, you’ll be treated to hot chocolate and holiday melodies played by musicians from the Contemporary Music Center. Return to Main street by hayride.

Ready for your next food and beverage giveaway? From 6 to 8 p.m. the Edgartown National Bank on Main street will be offering wine and cheese with a raffle. In the same time frame you’ll want to catch the luscious Dickens Village display at the Point Way Inn at 104 Main street. Also in the same 6 to 8 p.m. window of opportunity, if you’re of a mind to dig out your long-buried wallet, stop in for the Holiday Soirée Cocktails and Sumptuous Supper at the Daniel Fisher House, your $85 fee going to the excellent Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust.

At the Whaling Church from 8 to 10 p.m., the Minnesingers’ Traditional Holiday Family Concert will take place; at $15 per ticket, a lot of bang for your musical buck.

Finally as you stroll about town, many of the shops and restaurants that are open will be offering a Fishbowl Discount Shopping advantage which means that as you enter each establishment, you pick up a chit from a glass bowl which will extend to you something along the lines of “Two T-shirts for the price of one,” “10 per cent off all military memorabilia” or “All you can eat lentil and okra soup for $3.”

Which reminds me: The whole gala weekend is accompanied by the “I Love Christmas in Edgartown” raffle. This traditional event began after Thanksgiving and will extend until Dec. 19, when a drawing will take place at the Christina Gallery. For every $25 lavished in any of the Edgartown shops, you’ll be given a raffle ticket. A grand cash prize will be awarded, along with numerous gift certificates to stores and restaurants, so, as Janice Wooden, chairman of the Edgartown Board of Trade, explains it: “There’ll be a bunch of winners this year.”

It’s Saturday morning, are you ready for more? Now that your Friday jaunt has revved you up, you can peruse your schedule and organize your own game plan. You’ll notice that, after the 10 a.m. parade down Main street, some of the items are reprised from the day before, with a sequel on Sunday, so you can decide which to attend and which to skip. Some highlights are the Wreath Workshop at Donaroma’s; the Chowder Contest at the mini park (your $8 fee to benefit the Red Stocking Fund); Gingerbread Cookie Decorating at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary; a Christmas Shop luncheon in the Baylies Room of the Whaling Church; the Handmade from the Heart crafts fair at the Daniel Fisher House to aid Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard; and at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum on School street, the Jewelry Jingle from 10 to 4 and a 3 p.m. talk with Island author John Hough, talking about Seen the Glory, his novel set during the Civil War at the front and on the Island; and the cookie taste-off at Espresso Love (proceeds to charity). The tree lighting and caroling is at 6, on the Village Green.

Sunday brings, among many other goodies, a treasure hunt for kids sponsored by Past and Presents from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and, if that’s not enough physical activity, there’s a 1 p.m. walk at Felix Neck.

Then get a few days’ rest so you’ll be ready for Tisbury’s Friends and Family night, which kicks off at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17. All the shops are staying open late, but the fun for kids begins at 3 p.m. with seashell ornament-making in the space behind Mardell’s, while Beach House is offering gingerbread cookies from 3 to 8 p.m. During those same hours, you can decorate your own cookie at Krista’s Gourmet at the other end of the street. Santa is making the rounds, stopping by Shirley’s Hardware on State Road from 4:30 to 5:15, receiving visitors on the porch at Tisbury Marketplace from 5:30 to 6 and at Bunch of Grapes from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Parents take note: LeRoux at Home hosts a wine tasting from 6 to 8 p.m.  

At Bunch of Grapes, story time begins at 4 p.m. The Capawock turns it on with a free screening of The Polar Express at 4:30 p.m. From 5 to 6:30 you can make a Christmas card at Educomp. The Minnesingers will carol outside Bowl & Board/Eco MV from 6 to 7.

Take a receipt showing that you’ve patronized these hardworking Vineyard Haven merchants and you get a bonus on your repast: two-for-one panini at Beetlebung Coffee Shop; 15 per cent of your dinner at Black Dog; a $6 soup and salad special at Krista’s Gourmet; at Le Grenier, a three-course prix fixe menu for $30; at Net Result, a free cup of chowder from 3 to 6 p.m.; at Sweet E’s, a mini peppermint cupcake special; at Rocco’s Restaurant, buy one pizza, get the second for half price; at Waterside Café, 10 per cent off all food orders and at Zephrus, 20 per cent off your meal.

With a bit of planning, you can truly do it all and have it all. The best-case scenario is that you’ll receive such a strong jolt of Christmas spirit that, come Dec. 25, you’ll sleep in late and tell your nearest and dearest to go ahead and open the presents without you. Around three in the afternoon, put on your slippers and pad to the kitchen for a glass of eggnog.

Have yourself a merry BIG Christmas!