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?

•  47 Comments
• Photos (1)

Christmas Fun Facts and Trivia

How much will we spend this year? And what's the best-selling Christmas song of all time? Find the answers below.

What's Your Favorite Christmas Ornament?

We're looking for photos of the most unique, quirky, or memorable trinkets that you hang on your tree for the holidays.

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.

•  15 Comments
• Photos (1)

What’s the Chance of a White Christmas in Lake Forest?

Midwest is in a snow drought; check out stats that show probability of snow on Christmas.

It’s too early to look at weather models to predict whether or not the Chicago area will see a white Christmas this year, said Ed Fenelon, meteorologist for the National Weather Service, Chicago region. However, historically, the Chicago region has only a 45 percent chance of seeing a postcard snowy Christmas, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). What makes a Christmas white? The National Climatic Data Center defines a White Christmas as one with an inch or more of snow on the ground at 6 a.m. The last white Christmas in our region was in 2010, when 2-4 inches fell on Christmas Eve into Christmas day. Last Christmas saw a high temperature of 45 degrees, a low of 29 degrees and no precipitation.   …

• Photos (1)

It's Monday! Get Your Pet's Photo with Santa

The Northbrook Court hosts “Pet Photos with Santa” every Monday through Dec. 17. Get yours today, and don't forget to send Patch the photo!

Giving Thanks, Giving Back in Lake Forest

Many local charities and non-profit are looking for volunteers and donations this time of year - see how you can give back, and commemorate the true spirit of Christmas.

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!

•  21 Comments
• Photos (1)

Photo Gallery: Lake Bluff

Lake Bluff Park District Runs Workshop for Santa's Little Elves

Kids make ornaments, sing songs and play holiday games.

Little elves were busy at work earlier this week participating in the Little Elves Workshop offered for ages 3.5 to 6 by the Lake Bluff Park District. Kids made gifts for Mom and Dad, sang songs and spent time with their friends.

• Photos (10)