Images: Holiday photos from our readers
Holidays create special moments, from visits with Santa to family traditions to Christmas tree lightings and other holiday events. Our readers share their favorite holiday photos.
I took this photo of my dogs Charlie (8 years old) and Maggie Mae (14 years old) at my doorstep in Schaumburg.I had to drag them inside because when it snows really hard; it's our FAVORITE time of the year!!!
Photo courtesy of Laura Nevel
My three kids, Braxton 8, Hailey and Travis 5 tell Santa what they want for Christmas during PJs and Pancakes at Sandburg Elementary in Wheaton on December 1st. I love this picture because it shows their innocence along with their love and excitement for Santa.
Photo courtesy of Brooke Halperin
This photo was taken at Northwest Community Hospital during this year's Animal Assisted Therapy dogs pictures with Santa. The photo is of Santa, myself (Kathy Tabak), and my therapy dog, Daisy. Daisy and I have been a therapy dog/handler team at Northwest Community Hospital since 2008.
Photo courtesy of Dave Tabak
Bailey is waiting for Santa in Gurnee!
Photo courtesy of Cathy Leafblad
Our granddaughter Willow getting super excited about Christmas as she reads stories about the Grinch.
Photo courtesy of Lori Henkels
Ice sculpture carving at the Holiday Happenings event held at Harmony Park in downtown Arlington Heights on December 7.
Photo courtesy of Ken Simpson
Love this picture of my grandsons, Beckett at age 6 and Keaton at age 4. Photo was taken at our annual visit to Santa's Village in Dundee this summer. They look forward to this "adventure" outing almost as much as Grampa and I do!
Photo courtesy of Linda Henningsen
Every year my family gets together at the Arlington Heights Tree Lighting. I try to get us different hats to wear every year to make it more special for everyone. Christmas does not begin until we go to the Tree Lighting!
Photo courtesy of Dorinda Nolting-Gilmore
For me the Christmas season begins with First Congregational Church of Dundee Cookie Walk. Here, Barb Keable gets ready for this years-old tradition that takes place every first Sunday of December.
Photo courtesy of Ronda Feller
My grandsons Drew and Ben Lopez helping me mount our holiday wreath in Schaumburg.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Miller
Holiday decorations in Gurnee.
Photo courtesy of Cathy Leafblad
I like this picture reflecting a splash of rainbow color on the Tanyoso Japanese Pines taken at Illumination Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum on November 20, 2018.
Photo courtesy of Marianne Dyer
My husband put out the train under the tree and we asked our grandson Luke to come look at it and they spent wonderful moments watching the train go round and round.
Photo courtesy of Lori Henkels
Four-year-old granddaughter Cassadee in Lake Zurich.
Photo courtesy of Patty Corbett
I enjoy Christmas. Our house is like a Christmas Story Good memories in St. Charles. This was taken last year most of the ornaments are handmade I always get them at the craft shows in which they are from St. Charles and Geneva.
Photo courtesy of Frani Ruschke
This is my failed attempt at a photo for my Mom's Christmas card this year (she is 91 years young) We did not use it, but it makes me smile to see the tree as reindeer antlers coming out of her head in the background. It was the first big snow in Hoffman Estates 2018, taken in front of her house.
Photo courtesy of Doris Johnson
Max and Cindy Rumbaugh at Macy's Walnut Room in Chicago.
Photo courtesy of Cindy Rumbaugh
Grandma, Nana, Jordan and Santa in Arlington Heights.
Photo courtesy of Edwina Thomas
This photo are from our Annual Grandchildren Weekend (Nov. 30- Dec. 2) at our house. It's special time to chop down a tree together, bake cookies, do crafts, and enjoy being together.
Photo courtesy of Cathy McQuillan
This photo are from our Annual Grandchildren Weekend (Nov. 30- Dec. 2) at our house. It's special time to chop down a tree together, bake cookies, do crafts, and enjoy being together.
Photo courtesy of Cathy McQuillan
For the last 6 years Jasper has joined us in sending out Happy Hanukkah wishes.
Photo courtesy of Fred Share
Emily Symonds, age 3, with the Snoopy-themed gingerbread house she made at home in Elgin with mom. She loves Snoopy and was so proud. She also enjoyed eating the candy and icing, which is all part of the fun.
Photo courtesy of Joy Symonds
We visited Lollipop Lane in Wheeling Illinois. These are photos of our two grandchildren who were just thrilled to be here. Willow, age 2, is in the top photo and the Delight in her eyes with seeing Santa's house just made our heart smile. And the picture below is with her and her cousin Luke who also is age 2 and they were thrilled to receive lollipops from Santa and took them outside to eat. Sometimes these small moments create such warm memories in our hearts that will last forever!
Photo courtesy of Lori Henkels
We visited Lollipop Lane in Wheeling Illinois. Willow, age 2, had delight in her eyes with seeing Santa's house and it just made our heart smile.
Photo courtesy of Lori Henkels
This photo are from our Annual Grandchildren Weekend (Nov. 30- Dec. 2) at our house. It's special time to chop down a tree together, bake cookies, do crafts, and enjoy being together.
Photo courtesy of Cathy McQuillan
As part of this year's holiday celebrations, I recently visited the Museum of Science and Industry to see their display of Christmas trees from around the world. Most impressive was the giant Christmas tree in the rotunda decorated in gorgeous blue, green and gold ornaments and surrounded by a sea of perfectly wrapped packages. It was the perfect place to begin enjoying the holiday season.
Photo courtesy of Joanne Clevenger
Mrs. Claus (Stephanie Smith-Howard), loving and welcoming everyone at Mundelein Tree Lighting at Kracklauer Park, December, 2017. Love, big smiles, happiness and wide open arms to all at the last tree lighting at Kracklauer Park.
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Smith-Howard
Santa arrives at the Holiday Happenings event held at Harmony Park in downtown Arlington Heights on December 7.
Photo courtesy of Ken Simpson
Santa, portrayed by North Aurora resident John Lloyd, greets a senior citizen at Presence McAuley Manor long term care facility in Aurora. Lloyd, a biology professor at Aurora University, and science students held a holiday party for residents of McAuley.
Photo courtesy of Al Benson
The Holiday Happenings event held at Harmony Park in downtown Arlington Heights on December 7.
Photo courtesy of Ken Simpson
My twins Travis and Hailey (5 yrs. - soon to be 6 on Dec. 23rd!) sporting Christmas Santa mustaches in our home as we rummaged through our Christmas decorations as we began decorating the house in early December.
Photo courtesy of Brooke Halperin
The Johnston-Foreman Jaunt is 30 years old. On Christmas Eve morning 1989 after coffee at Nancy and Bill Foreman's house, 18 traversed the Mount Prospect Golf Course with snowballs and carols to Dick and MaryAnne Johnston's for famous French toast. Family has grown to more than 60 so we now we gather and jaunt side streets with buggies and sleds, still singing and celebrating, our favorite Christmas tradition.
Photo courtesy of Dick Johnston
Children with Santa at "Cookies with Santa" at St. James School in Arlington Heights. I like the photo because it shows how Santa becomes part of our lives from the cradle. We grow into loving Santa!
Photo courtesy of Jackie Ropski
St. James School Bulldog Chorus at "Cookies with Santa".I like the photo because it shows the wonderful chaotic energy and fun of this school event. It evokes our own memories of being there in the excitement. And there are two Santas!
Photo courtesy of Danielle Kuhn
Breakfast with Santa at the Lehmann Mansion, Lake Villa. Big brother (Duke) was trying to be strong for baby brother (Hank) but it was so hard!
Photo courtesy of Alison Ferguson
This picture was taken at our house during our annual Grandchildren Christmas Weekend. Nora is helping to decorate our tree and are placing the handmade ornament her mother made at about their same age.
Photo courtesy of Cathy McQuillan
This picture was taken at our house during our annual Grandchildren Christmas Weekend. Rory is helping to decorate our tree and are placing the handmade ornament his mother made at about their same age.
Photo courtesy of Cathy McQuillan
After a perfect wrapping job by my dad in Palatine, I took a close up shot of the present in front of the tree.
Photo courtesy of Katrina Krause
My mother and I and some of our family members have started a new tradition driving around to different locations in the evening looking at all of the beautiful Christmas decorations. We love with the houses on Prestwick Lane in Itasca. It's just beautiful to help bring our spirits up in time to enjoy the Christmas holiday!
Photo courtesy of Mary Alice Stralina
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