So You Don't Celebrate Christmas Today, What's Your Plan Instead

Whether for religious reasons or because of work, not everyone is celebrating the holiday today.

For those who don't celebrate Christmas today (or any day) Dec. 25 can still be a nice day. Almost everyone has the day off, so maybe you take advantage of that to spend the day with family and friends. Downtowns, parks and streets are usually empty, so perhaps you hit a favorite ethnic restaurant that's open or go for a quiet run or long walk.  For those working, the day often means visits from family bearing the gift of a home-cooked meal and the promise of a Christmas celebration on another day. What's your non-Christmas Christmas Day tradition?

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Holiday Recipes: Cookies, Candy and More

Patch editors from across Chicagoland share some of their favorite Christmas recipes.

Patch.com editors from across the Chicago area dug into their cookbooks and came back with some of their favorite holiday recipes to share with readers. We hope you enjoy. Happy Holidays! Share your favorite holiday recipes with Patch! Send your recipe as well as any photos to Editor Amie Schaenzer at amie.schaenzer@patch.com and we will include your recipe in this article.

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Where to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

Patch put together a map of cut-your-own Christmas tree farms for the northern Chicago suburbs.

Are you one of the 21 percent of United States homes that have a real Christmas tree? That's the number of people that opt for the real deal, according to the University of Illinois Extension's Christmas Tree fact page, compared to 48 percent who chose to have an artificial tree. (The rest don't have a tree.) If so, then perhaps you're also part of the 21 percent of those with real trees who like to cut them down yourself at a tree farm. Patch has assembled this map of cut-your-own Christmas tree farms in the vicinity of the northern Chicago suburbs. Click on the pins for more information about the farm or move the map around and zoom in on an area near you. Happy chopping!

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NORAD Website Tracks Santa Christmas Eve

Follow St. Nick's every move with NORAD's Santa Tracker.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is charged with keeping the United States and Canada safe from dangers originating from the sky or space. Tonight, however, the Colorado-based government agency adds one more important task to its daily list of duties. The agency will again provide its Official Santa Tracker (http://www.noradsanta.org/) that marks The Big Man's every move as he makes his way throughout both hemispheres. Included on the site is a countdown and activity page (http://www.noradsanta.org/en/index.html) and a flight tracking system (http://www.noradsanta.org/en/track3d.html) Kids and adults can enjoy this very entertaining site that will have sugar plums dancing through everyone's head before retiring.

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Top 10 Ways Santa Gets To Your House

Who needs a sleigh when these inflatable lawn Santa's can get to your house in anything from a Rocket to an RV?

We know Santa likes to move with the times. A sleigh is so 1889. We took a look at several nearby stores and Amazon.com to find the top 10 ways inflatable Santa's get to your lawn.

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Palatine Happenings

Santa Claus Makes Early Visit to Children’s Holiday Party

Palatine Jaycees and Palatine Kiwanis combine efforts in annual party.

Have you ever wanted to give your child a toy for Christmas, but could barely stretch your budget to cover necessities, let alone gifts? That scenario is a reality for many parents this year. Palatine High School's Cafeteria was the scene Dec. 13 for the annual Children's Holiday Party jointly sponsored by the Palatine Jaycees and the Palatine Kiwanis Club. Approximately 150 local children from low-income households were nominated to attend by Palatine social service agencies. For many of these children, their families are struggling financially, and the gift they received at the party might be one of a very few they receive this holiday season, according to organizers. "This event is heart warming and truly makes a difference to families …

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Fremd Holiday Craft Fair Draws a Crowd

The 22nd Annual Fremd Holiday Craft Fair featured numerous handmade items.

Fremd High School was the perfect place to get some holiday shopping done Saturday, Dec. 11 as more than 200 craft vendors took over the first floor. Organized by the Fremd Vikings Booster Club, the fair is in its 22nd year and is one of the club's fundraisers. Palatine resident Brenda Kennedy was perusing some of the booths with her two daughters. It was the first time Kennedy had attended the fair. The Kennedys were hoping to get some Christmas shopping done. "I think it's great, and it helps the boosters," she said.  "I didn't realize how big it was." One nearby booth featured various Christmas themed items, including handmade stockings and cloth decorations in the shape of poinsettias. Sisters Phyllis Martin and Bernadette Dobosiewicz …

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Jaycees 53rd Annual Christmas Tree Sale Continues

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Palatine Tree Lighting Sparks Holiday Spirit

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