See Santa at Algonquin and Geneva Commons
There is still plenty of time to squeeze in holiday fun up and down the Randall Road corridor before Christmas comes this month.
If you haven’t dictated your list to Santa yet, you can find him this weekend along the Randall Road corridor, which he’ll be traveling up and down to make sure he gets everyone’s wants recorded.
You can find him at Algonquin Commons on Saturday, Dec. 14, and then Sunday, Dec. 15, he’ll head to Geneva Commons.
On Saturday he’ll be joined by Mrs. Claus and Frosty the Snowman, and will be traveling from business to business at Algonquin Commons.
Starting at noon, you can find him at Yogen Fruz, where you can visit with him. Make sure to bring your camera to get a photo.
At 12:45 p.m., Santa and his crew will head to Shoelace, Inc.
You can find him at Gordman’s starting at 1:30 p.m. Next, he’ll head to Smooch Boutique at 2:15 p.m. And finally, he’ll end his tour of the mall at 3 p.m. at Taylor Stevens.
The next day he’ll be back at it again at Geneva Commons.
He will be strolling through the mall — possibly getting some gift ideas of his own — from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Sunday. You can stop him along the way and pose for pictures with the big guy.
After his stroll through the mall, he’ll be greeting visitors at Santa’s holiday station from 2 to 5 p.m. The station is located next to Learning Express. Make sure to bring your camera, because Santa will be posing for pictures with the kiddos that visit him.
Sit awhile: For weary shoppers, or for those just looking to infuse a little more holiday spirit into their trek through the Geneva Commons, the mall is offering free horse-drawn carriage rides.
You can catch a ride on the route, which will take you from one end of the mall to the other, from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15.
Algonquin Commons will have its own version of restful transportation over the weekend, when it runs its holiday trolley from one end of the mall to the other.
Giving back: Algonquin Commons has several ways that you can give back this holiday season.
The mall is hosting a drive for Toys for Tots, where you can drop off new unwrapped toys that will be delivered to children in need this holiday season. The gifts will be accepted through Monday, Dec. 16.
The mall also is hosting a winter clothing drive, with a donation deadline of Monday, Dec. 16. Community Unit District 300 is partnering with other organizations to collect new and gently used winter coats, hats, gloves, snow pants and snow boots for those in need.
Finally, through Dec. 31, Cal’s All-Star Angels is conducting its sixth annual toy drive. You can donate new unwrapped toys for boys and girls, infants through age 18.
The toys will be delivered to children fighting cancer and their siblings at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
To inspire people to give, the mall will enter anyone who donates a new toy or winter outerwear into a drawing to win a $50 gift card to Algonquin Commons. You will just need to bring your donation and enter at the mall office.
Amy Williams’ column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.