Holiday activities abound in Palatine
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Palatine and plenty of holiday activities are planned around town. So, if you're looking for some early yuletide fun, here's a sampling.
That jolly old elf: Breakfast with Santa is offered from 9-10:45 a.m. and again from 11:30-1:15 p.m. Dec. 13 at Twin Lakes Clubhouse. Cost is $12 for nonresidents, $10 for residents and $4 for children ages 2 and under. Preregistration is required. (847) 259-6890. www.saltcreekpd.com.
• Family Night With Santa is 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the Buehler YMCA, 1400 W. Northwest Hwy. $3 for members; registration requested. (847) 359-2400, www.buehlerymca.org.
• Letters to Santa can be mailed at Santa's Mailbox at Rose Park, 530 S. Williams Drive in Palatine through Dec. 15 or at Santa's Mailbox in the Jaycees tree lot, at Community Park off Palatine Road, by Dec. 16.
• Don't leave Fido out of the picture. Pet Pictures with Santa will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 6, at Twin Lakes Clubhouse. Cost is $8 and preregistration is required. (847) 259-6890.
In Jesus' time: First United Methodist Church, 123 N. Plum Grove Road in Palatine, will again offer its annual Bethlehem Marketplace from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Children make crafts such as candles, baskets, bread, rope, spice sachets and leather items. A live Nativity is also presented. Bags of "Roman" coins are available for $6 and $9 to exchange for crafts. Lentil soup, flatbread with honey, fruits, cheeses, other foods for sale. No registration required. (847) 359-1345.
Holiday goodies: The Presbyterian Church of Palatine, 800 E. Palatine Road, will hold its annual Cookie Walk Saturday, Dec. 6. The doors open at 9 a.m. and the sale starts at 9:30 a.m. Christmas cookies are sold by the box. There will also by a Christmas Treasure Sale, where gently used Christmas decorations will be sold.
• Bethel Lutheran Church, 3839 West Frontage Road, Palatine, sponsors a Cookie Walk from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 13. Homemade cookies sold for $9 per pound and gift wrapping available for a freewill offering. (847) 397-4372.
O Tannenbaum: The Jaycees once again are selling Christmas trees as a fundraiser, in the parking lot at Community Park on Palatine Road, just west of Northwest Highway. For hours, visit www.palatinejaycees.org.
On the stage: "The Christmas China Doll" will be presented at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Cutting Hall, 150 W. Wood St. Storyteller Beth Horner will join the Palatine Children's Chorus for a performance of this lighthearted story-song from the Ozark Christmas tradition. Tickets $8 adults; $6 children and seniors.
• Allegro Chorus will perform a holiday concert at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, and the Palatine Children's Chorus will present concerts at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 at Cutting Hall. $8 adults; $6 children/seniors. (847) 991-0333, www.palatineparkdistrict.com.
• Random Ringers Handbell Choir will perform a special holiday concert from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Palatine main library, 700 N. North Court. Registration required, at www.palatinelibrary.org or (847) 358-5881, ext. 167.
Holiday lights: Enjoy an evening of looking at holiday-decorated houses on Monday, Dec. 15, without having to drive yourself around. Salt Creek Park District is offering a holiday lights tour. Meet at the Twin Lakes Clubhouse at 7 p.m. for cookies and hot beverages before the bus leaves. The bus will return at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $7 and preregistration is required. (847) 259-6890.