One of the year's most prolific meteor showers makes its appearance in mid-December. The Geminid shower peaks the night of December 13/14. Although frequently considered a poor cousin to August's Perseid shower, the Geminids often put on a better show. In a good year, observers can expect to see more than 60 "shooting stars" per hour -- an average of better than one per minute -- at the Geminids' peak.
Unfortunately, 2008 isn't the best year for the Geminids. The Moon reaches its full phase December 12 and won't appear much different the following night. With bright moonlight in the sky essentially from dusk to dawn, fainter meteors will be washed out, and only the bright ones will shine through. Under clear skies, attentive observers should see 10 to 15 meteors per hour -- not great, but better than all but a handful of nights during 2008.
One way to compensate for the Moon's presence is to find a spot where a building or tree blocks the Moon from view. This will make the sky appear darker. Also, try to observe from a rural location, where city lights won't add to the Moon's glow. Because December nights tend to be cold, bundle up in layers if you plan to view the Geminids. Reclining in a lawn chair is a great way to take in a lot of the sky at once, but be sure to get up and walk around occasionally. It also helps to drink some hot coffee or tea.