Learn how to create hostess gift arrangements, outdoor decorations

Seminars, sales

• Holiday open houses, The Growing Place, Dec. 4-5. Create hostess gift arrangements, lighted outdoor decorations, winter s'mores. The Growing Place, both locations, 25W471 Plank Road, Naperville, and 2000 Montgomery Road, Aurora. Call (630) 355-4000 or (630) 820-8088.

• Winter Container Garden Workshop, 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23. Create your own outdoor winter container; all materials provided. $45. Bring a pair of gloves and pruners. Register by calling (847) 359-1080; fee due at registration. Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine.

• Container and wreath workshops, 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 30 and Dec. 5, The Growing Place, both locations, 25W471 Plank Road, Naperville, and 2000 Montgomery Road, Aurora. Cost: Container, $49; wreath, $49; swag, $39; garland accents, cost of materials. Call to register, (630) 355-4000.

•Winter container workshop, Dec. 1-5, Chalet, 3132 Lake St., Wilmette. Jennifer Brennan, horticulture education specialist, will lead workshops at 10 a.m. Dec, 1, 2 and 5; 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3; and 1 p.m. on Dec. 4. Containers will feature spruce tops and mixed evergreens, red twig dogwood, pine cones and berries that will last long after the holidays. Fee $54.99; includes all materials. Register at (847) 256-0561, ext. 225 or 230. Brennan can be reached at ext. 225 or by e-mail at jenniferb@chaletnursery.com.

• Winter Container Garden Workshop, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2; 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; and 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7. Create your own outdoor winter container; all materials provided. $45. Bring a pair of gloves and pruners. Register by calling (847) 359-1080; fee due at registration. Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine.

Holiday events

•"Shades of Crimson," poinsettia display in a rare public opening of Cantigny Park greenhouse. More than 3,000 poinsettia plants will be in full bloom for a display from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 1. No fee, but register in advance by downloading form at cantigny.org or calling (630) 260-8162.

•Pictures with Santa. Free photo opportunity for children (bring your own camera), 6-8 p.m. Dec. 4. Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. (847) 359-1080.

• Christmas Craft Fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. Local crafters, artists and vendors. Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. (847) 359-1080.

Chicago Botanic Garden

•Winter Farmers' Market, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 6 and Jan. 3. E-mail farmersmarket@chicagobotanic.org for more information about the market, or to be come a vendor. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org.

Garden clubs

•Garden Club of Inverness: Holiday luncheon, Dec. 3. The club meets September through November and January through May on the third Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Call Beth at (847) 934-7929.

• South Barrington Garden Club: Holiday luncheon at Seville Banquet Center in Streamwood, 11:30 a.m. Dec. 10. Cost is $35 and includes door prizes, basket raffles, silent auctions and a floral demonstration by Cathy Rose of Kaleidoscope Designs. Call Anita at (847) 277-7151. Meetings first Thursday morning of month. Membership $25 for residents; $35 for nonresidents.

Flea markets, antique shows

•Kane County Flea Market, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. Final one for season; resumes March 6. $5 daily admission; free parking. On Randall Road between routes 64 and 38 in St. Charles. Call (630) 377-2252 or visit kanecountyfleamarket.com.

•Antique Market, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at Grayslake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Admission $6; early buyers, $25 for shopping 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 12. zurkopromotions.com.

•Wolff's Indoor Flea Market, 1775 N. Rand Road, Palatine (old Menard's store), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $1, 50 cents for seniors and children ages 6 to 12. Call (847) 524-9590 or visit wolffs.com.

•Antique Market, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester, Wheaton. Continues the third Saturday of the month through December 2010. Admission $5; zurkopromotions.com.