Santa, holidays coming to local malls

Ready or not, here he - and it - comes.

The "he" is Santa, who makes his first appearances in the area Friday - yes, that's this Friday, Nov. 6 - at Woodfield Shopping Center in Schaumburg and at Deer Park Town Center. And the "it" is, of course, the holiday season - even if it's still three weeks to Thanksgiving.

At Woodfield, Santa's debut parade through the mall's lower level, accompanied by the Conant High School Marching Band, begins at 11 a.m. Friday, with St. Nick arriving at his central snow globe setting for photos at noon. Festivities continue through noon with additional entertainment from Ringling Bros. clowns and other special guests.

Later Friday, Santa makes his grand entrance at Deer Park Town Center mall, at 20530 Rand Road, on a fire truck, arriving at the gazebo at 6 p.m. They'll be a tree-lighting, fireworks at 6:15 p.m. and kids can visit with and receive a complimentary stuffed animal from Santa until 8:30 p.m.

Of course, that's just the trip of the Christmas tree. Here's a look at just some more of the holiday related fairs and activities happening in just the coming couple of weeks. Check the Daily Herald and dailyherald.com for more on holiday happenings.

• Holiday decoration and wreath sale: Order deadline Friday, Nov. 6. Pickup 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 28, South Barrington Community Center, 3 Tennis Club Lane. Benefits projects of the South Barrington Community Foundation. sbpd.net or sb-foundation.us.

• Pionsettia and Wreath Sale: Benefits Women's Counseling Center. Prices start at $13. Order by Nov. 20, pick up Saturday, Dec. 5, at Society for the Preservation of Human Dignity, 37 N. Plum Grove Road, Palatine. E-mail Jane.Stephen@sphd.org or see events page at sphd.org.

• Holy Cross Craft and Gift Show: 7-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 724 Elder Lane, Deerfield. Ladies Night Presale Friday, Nov. 6, is $20, includes wine and appetizers; must be 21 and over. General admission Saturday is $4 adults; $2 seniors and students; age 3 and under, free. For information, call Cindy, (847) 374-1340.

• Northbrook Park District Holiday Bazaar: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, Senior Center, 3323 Walters Ave. Handmade craft items, new gifts, vendors. (847) 291-2988.

• Barrington Park District Showcase of Arts & Crafts: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, Langendorf Park, 235 Lions Drive. Over 60 juried mixed media exhibitors, food concessions. Free admission, parking. (847) 381-0687 or barringtonparkdistrict.org.

• First United Methodist Church Holly Day Fair: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. Handcrafted items, homemade goodies, cafe, recycled Christmas room. Admission $2; $1 seniors. No strollers. Proceeds benefit the missions and ministries of United Methodist Women. fumcah.com.

• Bartlett Woman's Club Mistletoe Magic Show: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, Resurrection Catholic Church, 30W350 Army Trail Road, Bartlett. Arts and crafts show includes crafters, vendors, bake sale, lunch menu, raffles, more. Free parking, admission $1. Supports charitable endeavors. CJ, (847) 732-8475.

• Kiwanis Club of Streamwood Holiday Shopping Faire: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, Clare Woods Academy gym, 801 Carillon Drive, Bartlett. Shop from a variety of home-party vendors, refreshments. Free. Benefits needy children in Hanover Township. Cathy, (630) 213-3660.

• Our Saviours' Lutheran Church Fair Trade Holiday Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 1234 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Fair trade goods include giftware, coffee, tea, chocolates, more. Bake sale benefits Augusta Victoria Hospital. Sheryl, (847) 364-4834.

• Our Saviour's United Methodist Church Holiday Craft Bazaar: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 701 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Handcrafted holiday items, decorations, home baked goods, cookies by the pound, Granny's Attic, lunch available. Free. (847) 352-8181.

• Park Central Craft Fair: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 3000 W. Central Road, Rolling Meadows. Vendors, crafts, concessions. $2; free to club members. rmparks.org.

• Rolling Meadows High School Shopping Extravaganza: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2901 Central Road, Rolling Meadows. Rolling Meadows Athletic Boosters host 31st annual holiday craft boutique featuring 150 indoor booths with items by local artisans, lunch, concessions, raffles, children's craft activities, spirit wear, more. Admission $3; free for students and ages 18 and under. Free parking.

• St. Joseph Home for Elderly Holiday Bazaar: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 80 W. Northwest Highway, Palatine. Holiday bazaar, bake sale, lunch, treats, raffle, more. Free. Benefits the work of the Little Sisters of the Poor. Raffle tickets may be purchased at the bazaar or by calling the Development office, (847) 358-5700.

• Pet pictures with Santa: Have your dog or cat's photo taken with Santa 6:30-9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8 and 15 in Comcast Connections Court, Woodfield mall, Schaumburg. Pets must be leashed or in carriers. Enter through Door 1 next to Todai Seafood Buffet.

• Unique Expressions: 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, Buffalo Grove High School, 1100 W. Dundee Road. Showcase of artists with special needs is being held before the Buffalo Grove Symphony Band's Fall Concert. Free. All proceeds directly benefit the artists. bgarts@vbg.org.

• Fair trade bazaar: Noon-1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church, 1025 North Smith Road, Palatine. Feature Equal Exchange products; returning vendors Enterprising Kitchen, Maya Works; Amnesty International table for letter-writing. (847) 359-8440.

• Hubie's Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, St. Hubert Church, 729 Grand Canyon Blvd., Hoffman Estates. Vendors include Tastefully Simple, Discovery Toys, Creative Creations. Purses, jewelry, crafters, raffles, bake sale.

• House of Hope Holiday Open House: House of Hope Resale Shop, 200 N. Hough Street, Barrington. New and vintage holiday items, expanded toyland, seasonal clothing and accessories, pre-lit Christmas trees, live music, refreshments, prizes, cooking demos, wine sampling, cookie sale, special offers from local vendors. Opens 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, with festivities continuing through Saturday, Nov. 14. Free admission and parking. Supports Project Hope, ministry of St. Anne Catholic Community. (847) 756-4673.

• Operation Christmas Child: Volunteers needed to help pack shoe boxes of holiday goodies for underprivileged children. 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, St. Mark Center, across the street from St. Mark Lutheran Church, 200 S. Wille Street, Mount Prospect. Donations of school supplies, small toys and hygiene items like toothbrushes also being accepted. Info: stmarkmp.org or (847) 253-0631, ext. 15.

• Anshe Tikvah Holiday Boutique: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, Hawthorn School, 200 Glendale, Wheeling. sonia.edelman@hmhpub.com.

• Ascension of Our Lord Senior Synaxis Christmas Bazaar: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 1207 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire. Handmade crafts and boutique items, Greek food, homemade pastries. Free. Kay, (847) 482-1200.

• Handmade in Hanover Craft Show: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14, Hanover Township Senior Center, 240 S. Route 59, Bartlett. Handmade items in a variety of media, home-baked goods, raffle, Santa photos, live turkeys from the Turkey Club from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. Tracey, (630) 483-5673.

• Holiday Shopping Extravaganza: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, Juliette Low Elementary School, 1530 Highland Ave., Arlington Heights. Over 40 home-party vendors and crafters in a variety of media, gourmet bake sale, raffles. Admission $2. mando0925@wowway.com.

• St. John Harvest Fest: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14, 1800 S. Rodenburg Road, Schaumburg. Crafts, bake sale, white elephant, greeting cards, quilts, lunch, homemade apple slices.

• Alden Estates of Barrington Christmas Bazaar: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 1420 S. Barrington Road. Unique gift items, decorations, crafts, toys, food items, collectibles, raffle, complimentary gift wrapping, refreshments, fresh baked goods, Santa visits from 1-3 p.m. (847) 382-6664, ext. 5207.

• First United Methodist Church Craft Fair: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 123 N. Plum Grove Road, Palatine. Variety of handcrafted fall, Christmans and miscellaneous items, home baked goods. (847) 359-1345.

• Harper College Festival of Arts & Crafts Show: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. Featuring 200 indoor booths of quality handcrafted items. $3, free for under 12. Free parking. (847) 301-8543 or stepbystepcraftshows.com.

• New Apostolic Church Craft Fair: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 24560 W. Indian Trail Road, North Barrington. Craft fair, bake sale, blood drive. Handicap accessible, free parking. Proceeds benefit phone cards for soldiers overseas.

• Ross/Sullivan PTO Boutique: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Betsy Ross School, 700 N. Schoenbeck Road, Prospect Heights. Handcrafted items and holiday gifts, more. Admission $1. Benefits the Ross/Sullivan PTO. For vendor applications or info call Bonnie, (847) 870-3868.

• South Church Craft Fair: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 501 S. Emerson, Mount Prospect. Crafts, vendors, jewelry, food and more. (847) 253-0501 or mciske@earthlink.net.

• St. Isidore CCW Holiday Craft Show: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Ministry Center, 427 W. Army Trail Road, Bloomingdale. Handmade arts and crafts, bake sale, lunch refreshments. Admission $2, free parking. (63) 529-3045 or stisidoreparish.org.

• Pictures with Santa: 10 a.m.-noon, 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Bring your camera. (847) 359-1080.

• St. John Brebuef's Holiday Craft Fair: 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, May Parish Ministry Center, 8307 North Harlem Ave., Niles. Hosted by Catholic Women's Club. Handcrafted items for the holidays. Judi, (847) 296-6421.

• Temple Beth-El Holiday Boutique: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook. Hand-painted clothing, jewelry, personalized stationary and gifts, ceramics. (847) 205-9982.

• Holiday boutique: Northwest Chapter Hadassah sponsoring its first annual event 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 15, Claremont Rehabilitation and Living Center, 150 Weiland Road, Buffalo Grove. Vendors offering jewelry, oil paintings, framed art, barrettes, scarves, greeting cards, entertainment books, children's socks, Tastefully Simple foods, more. Admission is free.

• Pet pictures with Santa: 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Bring your camera; pets must be leashed. (847) 359-1080.

• "Handling the Holidays When Someone You Love has Died": 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16. Session on coping, creating new rituals. Register by contacting Wellness Place, 1619 W Colonial Parkway, Palatine, (847) 221-2400.