Holiday fun along Randall Road
There is plenty of fun this month up and down the Randall Road corridor to get you into the holiday spirit.
Every Sunday through Dec. 18, Santa will be strolling through Geneva Commons, handing out treats, getting requests and helping to make your holidays bright.
You can find him throughout the mall from noon to 1:30 p.m. Then, you can visit him at his Santa's Station near H & M from 2 to 5 p.m.
Each child that visits Santa's Station can tell Santa his or her Christmas dream gift, and each one will get a certificate for a free California Pizza Kitchen kids meal.
This Sunday, Dec. 11, at the mall, in addition to visiting Santa, your family also can take a free horse-drawn carriage ride from noon to 4 p.m.
If you're tired from shopping, or just want to try out something new, you can hop into the decorated carriage, which will be riding from one end of the mall to the other. Inside, you can rest your feet after a busy day of shopping, and check out all of the holiday sights and sounds throughout the mall as you drive by. You may even get rejuvenated enough to start shopping again and finish off your list.
For everyone who does take a carriage ride, you'll get a free California Pizza Kitchen Small Cravings Card, so you can go get a bite to eat after shopping until you drop.
If you can't wait until Sunday to see Santa, you can stop by Algonquin Commons on Saturday, Dec. 10, where he will be making a visit first.
Santa will be at the mall's Yankee Candle store that day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Youngsters are invited to stop in and whisper their wants to the big guy.
The week before Christmas at Algonquin Commons you'll be treated to sounds of the season.
At 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, you can take a break from your shopping to hear holiday music from the Youth Chorale from the Cambridge Lakes Charter School in Pingree Grove.
Giving back: As you're out enjoying all of the holiday happenings, and shopping for everyone on your long Christmas list, you'll also want to remember those less fortunate.There are numerous Toys for Tots collection boxes scattered up and down the Randall Road corridor where you can deposit one, or many, new and unwrapped gifts for those who might not be getting much for Christmas this year.At Algonquin Commons, you can drop your toys off at the Guest Services office, next to Aeropostale, now through noon on Dec. 16.For every gift you do drop off at Algonquin Commons, you will get an entry to win a $50 gift certificate to Algonquin Commons.The more gifts you donate, the more entries into the drawing you will receive. So, you'll have a chance, or many chances, to both give and maybe to receive this year.Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from South Elgin to Batavia. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or at (847) 894-5036. 30441992Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available at Geneva Commons from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11.Courtesy of Geneva Commons