NATCHEZ — In case you weren’t already aware, the downtown Natchez Christmas tree is squarely in the middle of Main Street signaling the season of giving is upon us.

This morning the newspaper you’re holding is a symbol of that spirit.

If you found this newspaper unexpectedly, you’ve just received an early Christmas gift. If you regularly receive the newspaper you might notice the newspaper is a bit bigger than normal today.

This morning The Natchez Democrat presents The Gift to residents all across the Miss-Lou.

The Gift is a Christmas gift filled with news and information about our community.

For new readers, The Gift is a sample of what you may be missing each week.

“We hope you enjoy your special copy of the newspaper this morning,” said Democrat Publisher Kevin Cooper. “The Democrat reaches 8 out of 10 households in the area each week through our printed and online editions. That means the newspaper helps connect the community by keeping everyone informed about the news in our area.”

The Democrat’s staff worked hard to provide a sample of some of the types of news that are featured throughout a regular week of coverage — including samples of our Style section, which normally publishes on Sundays and Wednesdays, and the Business section, which appears each Sunday.

The Democrat is the only daily newspaper that focuses solely on the Natchez and Vidalia community.

“For the few of you who don’t normally subscribe to the print edition, we hope after seeing what you’re missing — the great news, information and advertising featured in the newspaper — you’ll consider subscribing,” Cooper said. “We offer a number of ways to subscribe, from monthly plans to annual discounted options.”

The simplest option for subscribing is our EZ-Pay program. EZ-Pay subscribers get 365 days of The Democrat delivered to their houses for only $13.50 per month, automatically drafted from their account without any worries about bills or writing checks.

Call us at 601-442-9101 or log on to natchezdemocrat.com, click on Services and then Subscribe to begin your subscription.

Today’s complimentary issue is made possible thanks to the many businesses whose marketing messages grace the 24 pages. Without the financial help of those local businesses, the newspaper wouldn’t be possible.

“The cost of having the newspaper delivered to your home can easily be covered if you take advantage of the sales, coupons and other money-saving offers inside each week,” Cooper said. “Most weeks, a reader can find literally thousands of dollars of savings offered through sales given by our advertisers.

“The best way to learn about those deals — and the only way to stay fully informed about the news and issues affecting our community — is through the newspaper. We hope you enjoy The Gift today, and our staff wishes you all a Merry Christmas!”