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	<title>ChambanaMoms.com &#187; Christmas</title>
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	<link>http://www.chambanamoms.com</link>
	<description>Where Champaign-Urbana Moms Meet</description>
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		<title>Champaign-Urbana Area Christmas Tree Collection Info</title>
		<link>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/22/champaign-urbana-area-christmas-tree-collection-info/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/22/champaign-urbana-area-christmas-tree-collection-info/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:09:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>From The Editors</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Green Living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Champaign County Humane Society]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christmas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christmas trees]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recycling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[urbana]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chambanamoms.com/?p=12891</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How to dispose of your live Christmas tree in Champaign, Urbana and beyond. 


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/06/where-to-buy-a-live-christmas-tree-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='Where To Buy A Live Christmas Tree in Champaign-Urbana'>Where To Buy A Live Christmas Tree in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/16/where-to-eat-on-christmas-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='Where to Eat on Christmas in Champaign-Urbana'>Where to Eat on Christmas in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/15/the-ins-and-outs-of-recycling-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='The Ins and Outs of Recycling in Champaign-Urbana'>The Ins and Outs of Recycling in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
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<p>Wondering what to do with Old Tannenbaum once Christmas is over? We&#8217;ve got you covered. Depending on where you live, there are several (free) options to recycle or dispose of live Christmas trees.</p>
<div id="attachment_13082" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/4231067017_697aebd7bc.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-13082" title="Christmas Tree Recycling" src="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/4231067017_697aebd7bc-e1324582880753-300x247.jpg" alt="Christmas Tree Recycling disposal Champaign Urbana Champaign County Mahomet Homer " width="300" height="247" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">It&#39;s sad when it&#39;s time to say goodbye to the holidays. Photo by sdminor81 on flickr</p></div>
<p><strong>City of Champaign:</strong> &#8220;The Christmas Tree Collection program will run from January 2 through January 13, 2012.  This collection is available to all residential properties in the City of Champaign within City limits.  This program provides an opportunity for residents to recycle their natural Christmas tree at no charge.  City residents may participate by simply placing their tree within four feet of the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their scheduled collection date.&#8221; We have linked <a href="http://ci.champaign.il.us/departments/public-works/residents/yard-waste-collection/" target="_blank">to the map </a>so you can find your zone.</p>
<p><strong>City of Urbana:</strong> The City of Urbana will provide Christmas tree collection to all residents for two weeks this holiday season, the weeks of Jan. 2 and Jan. 9, 2012. Pickup will be done on your regular UCycle day. More info is available at the <a href="http://urbanaillinois.us/posts/2011/12/holiday-tree-recycling-schedule" target="_blank">city&#8217;s website. </a></p>
<p><strong>Champaign County at large</strong>: The<strong> Champaign<a href="http://www.ccfpd.org/NaturalResources/treecycle.html" target="_blank"> County Forest Preserve District </a></strong>will again accept used Christmas trees to be recycled after the holiday season<em>. </em>Trees may be dropped off at three forest preserve locations in the county through January 20: Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve in Mahomet, inside the maintenance entrance on Route 47 (anytime); Middle Fork River Forest Preserve in Penfield, at the maintenance building (anytime); Homer Lake Forest Preserve in Homer, in the maple grove area (available 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily)</p>
<p><strong>Landscape Recycling Center, Urbana:</strong> Trees may be taken to the <a href="http://urbanaillinois.us/LRC">Landscape Recycling Center</a> at 1210 E. University Ave., Urbana, for free recycling. There is no residency requirement; anyone can use this service.</p>
<p>No matter where you recycle your live Christmas tree, make sure to remove all decorations, lights, popcorn, tinsel, toppers, stands, plastic bags, etc. Most trees are ground up into landscape mulch.</p>
<p>To all who celebrate, have a very Merry Christmas!</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/06/where-to-buy-a-live-christmas-tree-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='Where To Buy A Live Christmas Tree in Champaign-Urbana'>Where To Buy A Live Christmas Tree in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/16/where-to-eat-on-christmas-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='Where to Eat on Christmas in Champaign-Urbana'>Where to Eat on Christmas in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/15/the-ins-and-outs-of-recycling-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='The Ins and Outs of Recycling in Champaign-Urbana'>The Ins and Outs of Recycling in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Being a Jew in C-U: What You Need to Know about Chanukah</title>
		<link>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/20/being-a-jew-in-c-u-what-you-need-to-know-about-chanukah/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/20/being-a-jew-in-c-u-what-you-need-to-know-about-chanukah/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:18:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Laura Weisskopf Bleill</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Being a Jew in C-U]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chanukah]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christmas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chambanamoms.com/?p=13022</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We answer a few frequently asked questions about Chanukah. 


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/05/where-to-shop-for-chanukah-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='Where to: Shop for Chanukah in Champaign-Urbana'>Where to: Shop for Chanukah in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/07/family-friendly-holiday-movies-specials-on-tv/' rel='bookmark' title='Family-Friendly Holiday Movies &amp; Specials On TV'>Family-Friendly Holiday Movies &#038; Specials On TV</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
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<p>Tonight is the first night of Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. I&#8217;ve been asked so many different interesting questions lately about the holiday that is quite well-known because of its proximity to Christmas, that I thought I would repeat my answers here. <strong><br />
</strong></p>
<div id="attachment_13024" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/5245728520_d107701933.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-13024" title="5245728520_d107701933" src="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/5245728520_d107701933-300x199.jpg" alt="Chanukah champaign-urbana Hanukah Hanukkah" width="300" height="199" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The first night of Chanukah is Tuesday, Dec. 20, and the last candle will be lit on Dec. 28. Photo by idovermani on flickr.</p></div>
<p><strong>Chanukah may be one of the most well-known Jewish holidays, but it is hardly the most religiously significant.</strong> Chanukah celebrates the aftermath of a military victory by Jews (the Maccabees) who fought the religious oppression of Assyrian rule more than 2200 years ago. The Jews took back the holy Temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated by the Assyrians, who had used it to worship idols and allowed farm animals to reside there. Chanukah celebrates a miracle &#8212; when the Maccabees wanted to light the menorah as part of the re-dedication, they could only find a tiny flask of oil, enough to light it for only one day. A miracle happened when the oil actually lasted for 8 days.  While the message of Chanukah is a beautiful one - one that celebrates faith, miracles, and dedication to our people and our traditions &#8212; the story is not found in Jewish scripture.</p>
<p><strong>Work doesn&#8217;t stop on Chanukah, nor do other regular activities.</strong> I&#8217;ve been asked several times if I am going &#8220;home&#8221; for Chanukah (ie to be with family). We typically go &#8220;home&#8221; for the &#8220;major&#8221; holidays such as Rosh Hashanah and Passover. This year my extended family will celebrate Chanukah together when it&#8217;s convenient, and probably we will do some blessings together over Skype; we are grateful to have plenty of local friends with whom we will share the holiday. Unlike other Jewish holidays, work doesn&#8217;t stop for Chanukah, and it doesn&#8217;t mean lengthy services at synagogue or observance at home. The main religious observance is lighting candles each night.</p>
<p><strong>Yes, some people give gifts on Chanukah, but there is no one way to do it.</strong> Presents were not part of the Chanukah tradition until very recently, and mostly it is an American construct. Probably the biggest myth about Chanukah is that everyone gets eight presents - one every night. Every family has their own Chanukah gift-giving traditions &#8212; when I was growing up, I got a gift just about every night, but they weren&#8217;t all from my parents - one night the gift would be from a sibling, the next an aunt and uncle, etc. Some families do not give gifts at all &#8211; traditionally, children receive money for Chanukah, called &#8220;gelt.&#8221; Nowadays gelt is also given in the form of chocolate coins. Gift-giving is usually centered around children.</p>
<p><strong>The dates we celebrate Chanukah never change.</strong> Yep, it&#8217;s true &#8212; Chanukah always starts on the 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev, but because the Hebrew calendar is based on a lunar calendar, the &#8220;English&#8221; date changes every year. Sometimes Chanukah isn&#8217;t even in December. This year it happens to take place very late in the Gregorian calendar and overlaps with Christmas.</p>
<p><strong>There is not one &#8220;true&#8221; spelling of the holiday&#8217;s name. </strong>The name is a Hebrew word, meaning dedication, that has been transliterated into English. That&#8217;s why you&#8217;ll see the various spellings - Chanukah/Hanukkah/Hanukah. I believe it is Associated Press newspaper style to spell it &#8220;Hanukkah&#8221; but I prefer &#8220;Chanukah&#8221;.</p>
<p><strong>We get to eat foods fried in oil on Chanukah &#8212; and they have zero calories.</strong> So I made that part up, but part of celebrating Chanukah customarily means eating latkes and other foods fried in oil, to remind us of the miracle of the oil lasting eight days. And let me just say that latkes are not potato pancakes &#8212; they&#8217;re much better! Jelly donuts are very popular in Israel; my daughter is convinced that we just need to eat French fries and we&#8217;re good.</p>
<p>(Disclaimer: these are my opinions. Some might disagree. Happy Chanukah to all who celebrate!)</p>
<p><em>Laura Weisskopf Bleill is the co-founder and editor of chambanamoms.com. You can reach her at laura@chambanamoms(dot)com.</em></p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/05/where-to-shop-for-chanukah-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='Where to: Shop for Chanukah in Champaign-Urbana'>Where to: Shop for Chanukah in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/07/family-friendly-holiday-movies-specials-on-tv/' rel='bookmark' title='Family-Friendly Holiday Movies &amp; Specials On TV'>Family-Friendly Holiday Movies &#038; Specials On TV</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Where to Eat on Christmas in Champaign-Urbana</title>
		<link>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/16/where-to-eat-on-christmas-in-champaign-urbana/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/16/where-to-eat-on-christmas-in-champaign-urbana/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:30:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Laura Weisskopf Bleill</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Things To Do in CU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[A Christmas Story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chinese]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christmas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Restaurants]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Answer: Chinese and a movie. Question: What is open on Christmas and Christmas Eve? 


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/22/champaign-urbana-area-christmas-tree-collection-info/' rel='bookmark' title='Champaign-Urbana Area Christmas Tree Collection Info'>Champaign-Urbana Area Christmas Tree Collection Info</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/06/where-to-buy-a-live-christmas-tree-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='Where To Buy A Live Christmas Tree in Champaign-Urbana'>Where To Buy A Live Christmas Tree in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/14/no-turkey-no-problem-where-to-eat-thanksgiving-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='No Turkey? No Problem! Where to Eat Thanksgiving in Champaign-Urbana'>No Turkey? No Problem! Where to Eat Thanksgiving in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
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<p>Some of you may recall that one of my (Jewish) family&#8217;s favorite movies is A Christmas Story. A favorite scene is the part when the family ends up at the local Chinese restuarant eating duck instead of the turkey the mother slaved over for hours.</p>
<p>Eating Chinese food on Christmas isn&#8217;t a cliche &#8211; it&#8217;s a time-honored tradition for many members of the tribe. We&#8217;re not the only ones who want to eat in a restaurant on Christmas or Christmas Eve (although very few are open then).</p>
<div id="attachment_12989" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/eee4.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-12989" title="restaurants Christmas" src="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/eee4-300x225.jpg" alt="restaurants Christmas Champaign-Urbana " width="300" height="225" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Where to find restaurants open on Christmas in Champaign-Urbana.</p></div>
<p>Here&#8217;s a short list of restaurants open over the Christmas holiday in Champaign-Urbana. We have called each to confirm.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/chinatown-champaign" target="_blank">Chinatown Buffet,</a> Champaign: Open regular hours Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 11 a.m. &#8211; 10 p.m. Christmas Eve and 11 a.m. &#8211; 9 p.m. Christmas Day.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.oishiasiancuisine.com/" target="_blank">Oishi</a>, Champaign: Open regular hours Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 11 a.m. &#8211; 10 p.m. Christmas Eve and 11 a.m. &#8211; 9 p.m. Christmas Day.</p>
<p><a href="http://pekinggardencu.com/index.html" target="_blank">Peking Garden,</a> Champaign: Open regular hours Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 11 a.m. &#8211; 10 p.m.</p>
<p>Merry Ann&#8217;s Diner, Champaign: both Champaign locations open 24/7.</p>
<p><a href=" http://milosurbana.com/Christmas.pdf" target="_blank">Milo&#8217;s, Urbana: </a>From noon to 8 p.m. Christmas Day. Call for reservations. Menu service available (see link).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.perkinsrestaurants.com/" target="_blank">Perkins, Urbana:</a>  Open until 8 p.m. Christmas Eve; Christmas Day, open 6 a.m. &#8211; 8 p.m.</p>
<p><a href="https://ssl4.secure-svr.com/rainbow-garden-com/default.asp" target="_blank">Rainbow Garden</a>, both locations (Urbana and Champaign): Open starting at 4 p.m. for dinner Christmas Day. Reservations encouraged, especially for big parties.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.outlandmediagroup.com/S1938/index.php?page=home" target="_blank">Shanghai 1938, Champaign</a>: Open noon to 9 p.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.</p>
<p><a href="http://mercedesrestaurants.com/alexanders.html" target="_blank">Alexander&#8217;s, Champaign: </a>Seating Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. &#8211; 8 p.m.  Kids under 10 eat free from the kids menu, 2 kids per adult meal.</p>
<p>If you know of other Champaign-Urbana restaurants open Christmas or Christmas Eve, leave them in the comments below!</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/22/champaign-urbana-area-christmas-tree-collection-info/' rel='bookmark' title='Champaign-Urbana Area Christmas Tree Collection Info'>Champaign-Urbana Area Christmas Tree Collection Info</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/06/where-to-buy-a-live-christmas-tree-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='Where To Buy A Live Christmas Tree in Champaign-Urbana'>Where To Buy A Live Christmas Tree in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/14/no-turkey-no-problem-where-to-eat-thanksgiving-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='No Turkey? No Problem! Where to Eat Thanksgiving in Champaign-Urbana'>No Turkey? No Problem! Where to Eat Thanksgiving in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Champaign-Urbana Area Holiday Lights 2011</title>
		<link>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/13/champaign-urbana-area-holiday-lights-2011/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/13/champaign-urbana-area-holiday-lights-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Dec 2011 04:57:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>From The Editors</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Things To Do in CU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[champaign]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christmas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mahomet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[urbana]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[We highlight some of the best holiday lights displays in Champaign, Urbana and elsewhere


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/14/2011-champaign-urbana-winter-holiday-fun-guide-december/' rel='bookmark' title='2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: December'>2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: December</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/01/2011-champaign-urbana-winter-holiday-fun-guide-november/' rel='bookmark' title='2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: November'>2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: November</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/07/veterans-day-2011-champaign-urbana-area-observances/' rel='bookmark' title='Veterans Day 2011 Champaign-Urbana Area Observances'>Veterans Day 2011 Champaign-Urbana Area Observances</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
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<p>Want some good, relatively cheap fun? Take a drive and check out these lights displays in Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding area. If you know of an area (or certain house) that&#8217;s taken the spirit to new heights, let us know in the comments below!</p>
<p><strong>The Clark Griswold House, Mahomet</strong><br />
Paying homage to National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, this Mahomet house is all decked out — lights everywhere! The front yard! The back yard! The trees! It is a sight to see, and you’ll even hear the Chipmunks singing. Some of the neighboring houses have also gotten into the spirit. Head out to Timberview Drive in Mahomet – there is a big sign off State Street to direct you there. <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;ll=40.199368,-88.422707&amp;spn=0.01439,0.031929&amp;z=15" target="_blank">Or here’s a map</a> (the house is closer to State Street than 150, on the west side, but you can’t miss it.)</p>
<div id="attachment_12943" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/photo-91.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-12943" title="Candlestick Lane Urbana" src="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/photo-91-e1323832727558-300x153.jpg" alt="Candlestick Lane Urbana holiday lights Champaign Mahomet Savoy" width="300" height="153" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">A home on Candlestick Lane, 2011. Chambanamoms.com photo</p></div>
<p><strong><br />
</strong><strong>Candlestick Lane, Urbana<br />
</strong>A Chambana holiday tradition for more than 40 years. Here’s <a href="http://www.chambanamoms.com/2009/12/11/candlestick-lane-makes-a-triumphant-return/" target="_blank">a story</a> we wrote about Candlestick Lane (aka <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Grant+Place,+Urbana,+IL&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=40.103942,-88.194637&amp;spn=0.004464,0.009645&amp;sll=40.103938,-88.194571&amp;sspn=0.008928,0.01929&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;gl=us&amp;hnear=Grant+Pl,+Urbana,+Champaign,+Illinois+61801&amp;t=m&amp;z=17&amp;layer=t">Grant Place</a>, located between Cottage Grove and Philo Roads, and north of Florida) awhile back. Candlestick Lane will be lit every evening from 5 to 10 p.m. through Christmas. Drive cautiously and turn off headlights to get the most enjoyment from the lights. When we were there the other night, Santa was giving out gifts!</p>
<p><strong>Southeast Urbana</strong><br />
Continue east of Candlestick Lane and there are a few neighborhoods with some spectacular displays, particularly the area around Florida and Lincolnwood. We love the house at the corner there &#8212; particularly that the homeowner&#8217;s SUV lights up too when it is parked in the garage! Continue east on Florida to Savannah Green, especially Abercorn Street.</p>
<p><strong>Prospect Avenue, Champaign </strong><br />
It must be contagious, because this year it&#8217;s more than just the house at Greencroft (just north of Kirby) that is spectacular. Check out the house on the opposite side of the street, as well as the beautifully lit trees at Champaign Country Club. Continue south to see the house at the corner of Mendota and Prospect.</p>
<p><strong>Fraternities at the University of Illinois, Urbana and Champaign<br />
</strong>The large old (and some newer) homes provide great lights fodder. There are many to cruise around and gawk at &#8211; although one favorite is Alpha Gamma Rho at the corner of First and Gregory Drive in Champaign. Beware &#8211; with the students leaving this week, many of these displays will soon go dark.</p>
<p><strong>Tell us your favorites below! </strong></p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/14/2011-champaign-urbana-winter-holiday-fun-guide-december/' rel='bookmark' title='2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: December'>2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: December</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/01/2011-champaign-urbana-winter-holiday-fun-guide-november/' rel='bookmark' title='2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: November'>2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: November</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/07/veterans-day-2011-champaign-urbana-area-observances/' rel='bookmark' title='Veterans Day 2011 Champaign-Urbana Area Observances'>Veterans Day 2011 Champaign-Urbana Area Observances</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Dial-A-Carol: A Champaign-Urbana Tradition Continues</title>
		<link>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/08/dial-a-carol-a-champaign-urbana-tradition-continues/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/08/dial-a-carol-a-champaign-urbana-tradition-continues/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:27:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Laura Weisskopf Bleill</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Deals and Steals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New to CU ?]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Things To Do in CU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christmas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[free]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[University of Illinois]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Hear holiday favorites all week long - a Champaign-Urbana tradition for 51 years


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/21/santaphonecalls/' rel='bookmark' title='Santa Makes Calls to Champaign-Urbana Area Kids'>Santa Makes Calls to Champaign-Urbana Area Kids</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/13/champaign-urbana-area-holiday-lights-2011/' rel='bookmark' title='Champaign-Urbana Area Holiday Lights 2011'>Champaign-Urbana Area Holiday Lights 2011</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/16/where-to-eat-on-christmas-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='Where to Eat on Christmas in Champaign-Urbana'>Where to Eat on Christmas in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
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<div id="attachment_12868" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/4194925335_f53420fdd6.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-12868" title="phone" src="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/4194925335_f53420fdd6-300x225.jpg" alt="phone Dial a Carol Champaign Urbana Christmas " width="300" height="225" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Create a Christmas memory, old-school style. Call up Dial-a-Carol today (or before Dec. 16). Photo by kevinspencer on Flickr</p></div>
<p>It seems so quaint &#8211; the idea that you can pick up the phone and request a certain holiday tune. (Now, we have Spotify for that, but I digress).</p>
<p>Dial-A-Carol is one Champaign-Urbana tradition that has stood the test of time &#8212; and tape players, CD players, the MP3 revolution and more. A student-run holiday program at the University of Illinois, each year the students of Snyder Hall, provide cheer in the form of holiday music.</p>
<p>As they write in their <a href="http://www.housing.illinois.edu/Announcements/Home%20Page/Its%20DialACarol%20time%20courtesy%20of%20Snyder%20Hall%20residents.aspx" target="_blank">event announcement:</a> &#8220;The idea behind the program is quite simple. Anyone from anywhere can call us and request a holiday tune to be played over the telephone, or a person may send a request to a friend in the local Champaign-Urbana area (217 area code). Volunteers also sing to every 5th caller! Our program runs 24 hours a day for seven days and is held each year during finals week of the first semester. Last year our program logged 1,200 calls from all over the world.&#8221;</p>
<p>The program is fully staffed by volunteers. Students pulling all-nighters isn&#8217;t uncommon this year, after all. Finals start Friday, Dec. 9.</p>
<p>Celebrating its 51st season, Dial-A-Carol started at midnight on Dec. 8 and will go until 11:59 PM on December 15, 2011. The telephone number during the week is (217) 332-1882.</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/21/santaphonecalls/' rel='bookmark' title='Santa Makes Calls to Champaign-Urbana Area Kids'>Santa Makes Calls to Champaign-Urbana Area Kids</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/13/champaign-urbana-area-holiday-lights-2011/' rel='bookmark' title='Champaign-Urbana Area Holiday Lights 2011'>Champaign-Urbana Area Holiday Lights 2011</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/16/where-to-eat-on-christmas-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='Where to Eat on Christmas in Champaign-Urbana'>Where to Eat on Christmas in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Holiday Baking: Chocolate Crinkles</title>
		<link>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/08/holiday-baking-chocolate-crinkles/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/08/holiday-baking-chocolate-crinkles/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:08:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amy L. Hatch</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[celebrating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[celebrations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christmas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cookies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[easy recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holiday baking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recipes]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[A cookie that will bring them to their knees


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/22/holiday-baking-cherry-poppy-seed-thumbprints/' rel='bookmark' title='Holiday Baking: Cherry Poppy Seed Thumbprints'>Holiday Baking: Cherry Poppy Seed Thumbprints</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/14/holiday-baking-big-soft-sugar-cookies/' rel='bookmark' title='Holiday Baking: Big Soft Sugar Cookies'>Holiday Baking: Big Soft Sugar Cookies</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2012/01/22/recipe-watergate-cake/' rel='bookmark' title='Easy Weekday Baking: Watergate Cake'>Easy Weekday Baking: Watergate Cake</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
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<div id="attachment_1020" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 278px"><a href="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/11056_1220624429753_1053193999_30636293_778933_n.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1020  " title="11056_1220624429753_1053193999_30636293_778933_n" src="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/11056_1220624429753_1053193999_30636293_778933_n.jpg" alt="The famous chocolate crinkles. Credit: Amy L. Hatch" width="268" height="400" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The famous chocolate crinkles. Credit: Amy L. Hatch</p></div>
<p>by Amy L. Hatch</p>
<p>When I woke up today I knew it was time.</p>
<p>Time for what, you ask? Time to finish my holiday shopping? Time to put up the Christmas tree? Time to put the lights on the house?</p>
<p>Yes to all of the above. But, most of all, it was time to bake the chocolate crinkles.</p>
<p>Off all the weapons in my holiday arsenal, the chocolate crinkle is perhaps the most powerful. Sure, telling the kids that Santa is watching might get them to stop misbehaving.</p>
<p>But offering them a crinkle if they promise to get along? That will bring them to their knees. This isn&#8217;t just a cookie: This is a Cookie.</p>
<p>Just ask Laura, who once famously said that it isn&#8217;t Christmas until &#8220;Amy bakes the crinkles.&#8221;</p>
<p>Alas, Christmas has arrived. This weekend, I finally baked the chocolate crinkles. And they are perfect, at long last. I&#8217;ve been working on them for eight years, trying to achieve the texture my mother was always able to get when she made them every year.</p>
<p>And yes, I will share that secret with you, my friends.</p>
<p>First, gather your ingredients:</p>
<ul>
<li>1/2 cup veggie oil</li>
<li>4 sq. unsweetened chocolate (4 oz), melted</li>
<li>2 cups sugar</li>
<li>4 eggs</li>
<li>2 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>2 cups flour</li>
<li>2 tsp baking powder</li>
<li>1/2 tsp salt</li>
</ul>
<p>Now, I made a double batch, and while I can&#8217;t say for sure, I think that was part of my success this year. You might want to consider it.</p>
<p>First, mix together the oil, sugar and chocolate. Then, add the eggs, beating after each addition. Sift the dry ingredients together and add to the chocolate mixture, stirring until fully incorporated.</p>
<p>Refrigerate the whole thing. The original recipe calls for the dough to chill for at least four hours or overnight, but this year my dough sat in the fridge for a week because I was too busy to get to baking the cookies.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m pretty sure that is the secret to the texture. So, make these at least two days in advance, and chill.</p>
<p>When you&#8217;re ready, use a small ice-cream scoop or a tablespoon to scoop the dough, then roll it into a ball. Drop the ball in confectioner&#8217;s sugar and roll until it&#8217;s covered in powdery goodness.</p>
<p>Place on a well-greased baking sheet and bake at 350-degrees (convection if you have it) for about nine minutes. DO NOT OVERBAKE. These are soft and chewy cookies. Don&#8217;t let them get brown.</p>
<p>Store in an airtight container, or in a cookie jar with a small slice of apple. The apple keeps them soft.</p>
<p>Laura, there&#8217;s a box of these at my house with your name on it.</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/22/holiday-baking-cherry-poppy-seed-thumbprints/' rel='bookmark' title='Holiday Baking: Cherry Poppy Seed Thumbprints'>Holiday Baking: Cherry Poppy Seed Thumbprints</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/14/holiday-baking-big-soft-sugar-cookies/' rel='bookmark' title='Holiday Baking: Big Soft Sugar Cookies'>Holiday Baking: Big Soft Sugar Cookies</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2012/01/22/recipe-watergate-cake/' rel='bookmark' title='Easy Weekday Baking: Watergate Cake'>Easy Weekday Baking: Watergate Cake</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Family-Friendly Holiday Movies &amp; Specials On TV</title>
		<link>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/07/family-friendly-holiday-movies-specials-on-tv/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/07/family-friendly-holiday-movies-specials-on-tv/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:53:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Go West Young Mom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christmas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TV]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Set your watch - or your DVR - for these holiday flicks and specials. 


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/10/25/family-friendly-halloween-movies-and-specials-on-tv/' rel='bookmark' title='Family-Friendly Halloween: Movies and Specials on TV'>Family-Friendly Halloween: Movies and Specials on TV</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/08/holiday-baking-chocolate-crinkles/' rel='bookmark' title='Holiday Baking: Chocolate Crinkles'>Holiday Baking: Chocolate Crinkles</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/01/2011-champaign-urbana-winter-holiday-fun-guide-november/' rel='bookmark' title='2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: November'>2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: November</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
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<p>Here&#8217;s a chronological guide to family-friendly holiday movies and specials on television over the coming three weeks. All times are Central. Note also that <a href="http://abcfamily.go.com/" target="_blank">ABC Family</a> is in the midst of its &#8220;<a href="http://abcfamily.go.com/specials/25-days-christmas" target="_blank">25 Days of Christmas</a>&#8221; promotion, but this guide only includes shows that felt especially like the holidays. In other words, no &#8220;Up&#8221; or &#8220;Finding Nemo.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 7</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>How the Grinch Stole Christmas: 6:30 p.m. on Cartoon Network</p>
<p>A Christmas Carol (the version starring George C. Scott): 7 p.m and 9:30 p.m on AMC</p>
<p>National Lampoon&#8217;s Christmas Vacation: 8 p.m. on ABC Family</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 8</strong></p>
<div id="attachment_12811" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 235px"><a href="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/2108345192_9ccc5715ee.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-12811" title="It's a wonderful life" src="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/2108345192_9ccc5715ee-225x300.jpg" alt="Holidays Television" width="225" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">It&#39;s a Wonderful Life will air on NBC on Christmas Eve. (Photo by SqueakyMarmot on Flickr)</p></div>
<p>Frosty&#8217;s Winter Wonderland: 6 p.m. on ABC Family</p>
<p>The Year Without a Santa Claus: 8 p.m on ABC Family</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 9</strong></p>
<p>Happy Holidays, Mr. Grumpfish: 9 a.m. on NICK<strong><br />
</strong></p>
<p>Santa Claus is Comin&#8217; to Town: 6 p.m. on ABC Family</p>
<p>Frosty the Snowman: 7 p.m on CBS</p>
<p>Frosty Returns: 7:30 p.m on CBS</p>
<p>Yes, Virginia: 8 p.m on CBS</p>
<p>The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf&#8217;s Story: 8:30 p.m. on CBS</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 10</strong></p>
<p>A &#8220;Holiday Movie Marathon&#8221; will be shown all day long on ABC Family</p>
<p>&#8216;Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: 7 p.m. on CBS</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 11<br />
</strong></p>
<p>Christmas in Connecticut: 9 a.m. on TCM</p>
<p>Dora&#8217;s Christmas Carol Adventure: 6 p.m. on Nick</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 12</strong></p>
<p>A Chrismas Carol (Alistair Sim version): 7 p.m on TCM</p>
<p>I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown: 7 p.m on ABC</p>
<p>White Christmas: 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. on AMC</p>
<p>National Lampoon&#8217;s Christmas Vacation: 8 p.m. on ABC Family</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 13</strong></p>
<p>Barney&#8217;s Christmas Star<strong>:</strong> 5 p.m. on Sprout<strong><br />
</strong></p>
<p>Dr. Seuss&#8217; The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat: 6:30 p.m. on ABC Family</p>
<p>White Christmas: 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. on AMC</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 14</strong></p>
<p>White Christmas: 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. on AMC</p>
<p>LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, 7 p.m., PBS</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 15</strong></p>
<p>A Charlie Brown Christmas<strong>:  </strong> Dec. 15 at 7 pm on  ABC<strong><br />
</strong></p>
<p>Miracle on 34th Street: 7 p.m and 9:15 p.m on AMC</p>
<p>Holiday Inn: 11:30 p.m on AMC</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 16</strong></p>
<p>The Bishop&#8217;s Wife: 7 p.m. on TCM</p>
<p>Christmas in Washington: 7 p.m on TNT</p>
<p>Christmas in Connecticut: 9 p.m on TCM</p>
<p>Shop Around the Corner: 11 p.m. on TCM</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 17</strong></p>
<p>A &#8220;Holiday Movie Marathon&#8221; will be shown all day long on ABC Family</p>
<p>The Story of Santa Claus: 8 p.m on CBS</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 18</strong></p>
<p>Little Women: 5 a.m. on TCM</p>
<p>Shop Around the Corner: 9 a.m. on TCM</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 19</strong></p>
<p>“Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation” 5 p.m. on ABC Family</p>
<p>A Christmas Carol (the version starring George C. Scott): 7 p.m and 9:30 p.m on AMC</p>
<p>Scrooge: 9:15 p.m on TCM</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 20</strong></p>
<p>Elmo&#8217;s World Happy Holidays: 5 p.m. on Sprout<strong><br />
</strong></p>
<p>Mickey&#8217;s Christmas Special: 5 p.m. on ABC Family</p>
<p>A Christmas Carol (the version starring George C. Scott): 7 p.m and 9:30 p.m on AMC</p>
<p>The Polar Express: 8 p.m. on ABC Family</p>
<p>Holiday Affair: 10 p.m. on TCM</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 21</strong></p>
<p>The Santa Clause: 7 p.m. on ABC Family</p>
<p>A Christmas Carol (the version starring George C. Scott): 7 p.m and 9:30 p.m on AMC</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 22</strong></p>
<p>White Christmas: 1:45 p.m. on AMC</p>
<p>A Christmas Carol (starring George C. Scott): 4:30 p.m. on AMC</p>
<p>Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause: 6 p.m. on ABC Family</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 23:</strong></p>
<p>Holiday Inn: 8 a.m. on AMC</p>
<p>A Christmas Carol (Starring Reginald Owen): 10 a.m. on TCM</p>
<p>White Christmas: 10:15 a.m on AMC</p>
<p>Scrooge (starring Albert Finney): 5 p.m on TCM</p>
<p>Dr. Seuss&#8217; How the Grinch Stole Christmas: 7 p.m on ABC Family</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 24</strong></p>
<p>A &#8220;Holiday Movie Marathon&#8221; will be shown all day long on ABC Family</p>
<p>A marathon of the movie &#8220;A Christmas Story&#8221; will be shown all day long on TBS</p>
<p>Little Women: 7 a.m on TCM</p>
<p>Holiday Affair: 1:30 p.m. on TCM</p>
<p>Meet Me in St. Louis: 5 p.m. on TCM</p>
<p>Miracle on 34th Street: 7 p.m. on TCM</p>
<p>Santa Claus is Coming to Town: 6 p.m on ABC Family</p>
<p>The Year Without a Santa Claus: 7 p.m. on ABC Family</p>
<p>It&#8217;s a Wonderful Life: 8 p.m on NBC</p>
<p><strong>Dec. 25</strong></p>
<p>Holiday Inn: 1 a.m. on AMC</p>
<p>The Bishop&#8217;s Wife: 1:30 a.m. on TCM</p>
<p>Disney Christmas Parade: 11 a.m. on ABC</p>
<p>Caillous&#8217;s Holiday Movie: 11 a.m. on Sprout</p>
<p>The Greatest Story Ever Told: 12:30 p.m on TCM</p>
<p>King of Kings: 4 p.m on TCM</p>
<p>The Polar Express: 7 p.m. on ABC Family</p>
<p>Going My Way: 7 p.m .on TCM</p>
<p><em>Springfield-area native Tara Burghart is a former Urbana resident and University of Illinois graduate. She&#8217;s the editor of <a href="http://www.gowestyoungmom.com/" target="_blank">Go West Young Mom</a>, a blog for families in the far western suburbs of Chicago. Her favorite holiday movie is &#8220;The Bishop&#8217;s Wife.&#8221;</em></p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/10/25/family-friendly-halloween-movies-and-specials-on-tv/' rel='bookmark' title='Family-Friendly Halloween: Movies and Specials on TV'>Family-Friendly Halloween: Movies and Specials on TV</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/08/holiday-baking-chocolate-crinkles/' rel='bookmark' title='Holiday Baking: Chocolate Crinkles'>Holiday Baking: Chocolate Crinkles</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/01/2011-champaign-urbana-winter-holiday-fun-guide-november/' rel='bookmark' title='2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: November'>2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: November</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Giving The Best Teacher Gift&#8211;EVER!</title>
		<link>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/06/giving-the-best-teacher-gift-ever/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/06/giving-the-best-teacher-gift-ever/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:39:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>RachaelMcMillan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mom To Mom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best/worst]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christmas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holiday shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rachael mcmillan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teacher gifts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chambanamoms.com/?p=6726</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Who gives the best teacher gifts ever? Your kid!


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/08/top-5-fair-trade-teacher-gifts/' rel='bookmark' title='Top 5: Fair Trade Teacher Gifts'>Top 5: Fair Trade Teacher Gifts</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/08/28/raising-a-little-mozart-musings-of-a-passionate-piano-teacher/' rel='bookmark' title='Raising a Little Mozart: Musings of a Passionate Piano Teacher'>Raising a Little Mozart: Musings of a Passionate Piano Teacher</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/07/mom-to-mom-letting-go-of-gifted/' rel='bookmark' title='Mom to Mom: Letting Go of &#8216;Gifted&#8217;'>Mom to Mom: Letting Go of &#8216;Gifted&#8217;</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
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<p>When I told my friend Kathy that I needed her input on an article about best/worst gifts to give a teacher, her knee-jerk response was to assume the persona of a high school cheerleader and belt out the following chant:</p>
<p>&#8220;<strong>GIFT CARD!!!</strong>*clapclapclap* <strong>GIFT CARD!!!</strong>*clapclapclap*&#8221;</p>
<p>So, there you have it.</p>
<p>But, on the other hand, there you <em>don’t</em> have it. There was, no doubt, a grain of truth in Kathy’s improvised cheer, but in reality she has been happy to receive a variety of teacher gifts throughout the years. And, not everyone is a happy gift card giver; many of you reading this may very well be the personal-touch kind of shopper. I can certainly appreciate that.</p>
<p>As a former classroom teacher myself, I can add that teachers are also relatively easy to please. Generally speaking, generic gifts work great. That mug from the drugstore filled with a packet of &#8220;gourmet&#8221; cocoa? Perfect. From the teacher’s perspective, it truly is the thought that counts. Truly.</p>
<p>Having said that, there are a few pitfalls to avoid when it comes to giving a teacher a gift. Number one: clearly phoning it in. This happened one year when Kathy was given a wallet. With receipts in it. From purchases the wallet’s previous owner had made.</p>
<p>Another is to give a gift that is undoubtedly going to be a repeat of something the teacher already has many, MANY of. &#8220;Try to get something off the beaten path, but still in the forest,&#8221; Kathy advises.</p>
<p>Think of those trinkets that read &#8220;#1 Teacher&#8221; and the like. Every teacher loves getting them&#8211;up to a point. As a new teacher, Kathy really enjoyed teacher-specific knick-knacks to either sit on her desk or hang on her Christmas tree. Ten years into the profession, &#8220;My desk is full, and my tree has very few free branches,&#8221; Kathy reports.</p>
<div id="attachment_6746" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 382px"><img class="size-medium wp-image-6746" title="ornaments" src="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/331589989_665e6149cf_o-300x300.jpg" alt="Some teachers love receiving ornaments from students. But others may have a full tree, so a consumable gift might be a better option. Credit: Randy Son of Robert on flickr" width="372" height="372" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Some teachers love receiving ornaments from students. But others may have a full tree, so a consumable gift might be a better option. Credit: Randy Son of Robert on flickr</p></div>
<p>Keep in mind, though, that my teacher friend Marla LOVES getting ornaments as gifts. &#8220;Every year when I take them out I am reminded of the students who gave them to me,&#8221; she said. When it comes to ornaments, Marla especially appreciates the cute and quirky&#8211;all the easier to remember which student was the giver.</p>
<p>Again, the driving force behind this is the idea that it’s the thought that counts. &#8220;Gifts that come from the heart are always truly loved and appreciated,&#8221; Kathy adds.</p>
<p>One way to show a teacher some love is to think outside the classroom. Kids tend to forget (or just plain not realize) that teachers do in fact live in homes, eat in restaurants, shop at the mall, and so on. One of Kathy’s favorite gifts in recent years was a gift certificate to go to the movies, which she felt showed an appreciation for the fact that teachers need some R&amp;R.</p>
<p>But above all, when shopping for the teacher, keep the end game in mind. It’s all about what happens when your little one beamingly presents her gift.</p>
<p>Kathy offers this perspective: &#8220;Receiving gifts is really not about me at all. It is truly about the giver and making her feel as if she’s given the best gift ever. And, I am happy to say that all of my students are the best gift givers&#8230;ever.&#8221;</p>
<p><em><strong>Readers: What is your go-to holiday gift for teachers?</strong></em></p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/08/top-5-fair-trade-teacher-gifts/' rel='bookmark' title='Top 5: Fair Trade Teacher Gifts'>Top 5: Fair Trade Teacher Gifts</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/08/28/raising-a-little-mozart-musings-of-a-passionate-piano-teacher/' rel='bookmark' title='Raising a Little Mozart: Musings of a Passionate Piano Teacher'>Raising a Little Mozart: Musings of a Passionate Piano Teacher</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/07/mom-to-mom-letting-go-of-gifted/' rel='bookmark' title='Mom to Mom: Letting Go of &#8216;Gifted&#8217;'>Mom to Mom: Letting Go of &#8216;Gifted&#8217;</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Happier Holidays: Introducing Toddlers to Santa</title>
		<link>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/04/happier-holidays-introducing-toddlers-to-santa/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/04/happier-holidays-introducing-toddlers-to-santa/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:58:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>From The Editors</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reader Contributions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christmas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holiday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Santa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[toddlers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chambanamoms.com/?p=12751</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Preparation will make a tot's first trip to the Jolly Old Elf easier — on them and you.


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/15/ho-ho-ho-santa-photos-in-champaign-urbana-and-beyond/' rel='bookmark' title='Ho Ho Ho! Santa Photos in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond'>Ho Ho Ho! Santa Photos in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/21/santaphonecalls/' rel='bookmark' title='Santa Makes Calls to Champaign-Urbana Area Kids'>Santa Makes Calls to Champaign-Urbana Area Kids</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/15/a-sense-of-scale-for-the-holidays/' rel='bookmark' title='A Sense of Scale for the Holidays'>A Sense of Scale for the Holidays</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
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<p><strong>By Jeni Weisiger</strong></p>
<p>Visiting Santa as a toddler has to be the oddest experience! With the onset of stranger anxiety (a stage most toddlers experience where they are fearful of new or unknown people, places or things), the over whelming atmosphere of a mall, and the expectation of waiting, it’s a phenomenon that even one toddler can enjoy sitting on Santa’s lap.</p>
<div id="attachment_12752" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 379px"><a href="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/5245752923_e8b57503ef_b.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-12752" title="5245752923_e8b57503ef_b" src="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/5245752923_e8b57503ef_b-300x200.jpg" alt="Chambanamoms Santa toddlers" width="369" height="246" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">A little preparation can make a toddler&#39;s trip to Santa a happy holiday occasion. Credit: USACE Europe District</p></div>
<p>With all these obstacles, how can we provide support for a positive experience resulting in adorable pictures, lasting memories and little to no tears? Again, I advocate preparedness! (Toddlers need a lot of this, over and over and over again.)</p>
<ul>
<li>Books. Reading books about Santa or going to visit Santa is a great way to begin preparing your toddler for his or her visit.  Point out things about Santa in the pictures: “Oh, he has a long white beard,” “I bet Santa’s red suit is soft.” Reading books can bring up questions your toddler has about this mysterious man.</li>
<li>Pictures. See if you can find pictures of other family members sitting on Santa’s lap: older sibling, cousins and, if your lucky and organized, maybe pictures of your self as a child visiting Santa.</li>
<li>Taglines. Practice some of Santa’s taglines with your toddler. This will give them some confidence when they come face to face with his jolly old soul. “Ho-Ho-Ho, Merry Christmas.” “What would you like to Christmas this year?” Give you toddler some script to say back, some thing as simple as “Ho-Ho-Ho” or “Where is Rudolf?” Even practice what they would like to ask Santa for.</li>
</ul>
<p>The day of the big meeting try to pick a time and place that might not be so busy, a school night for example. While you’re waiting in line, bring some of your Santa books from home so your toddler can have something familiar.  Talk about what is the same about the Santa pictures and the one you are about to see.  Practice your taglines while you wait, or practice taking pictures. All of these things will give your toddler some control and confidence during their visit.</p>
<p>If you have to wait a long time, have one adult stay in line, while another adult takes your toddler up to watch other children have their visit with Santa. (Hopefully these are positive experiences!)</p>
<p>With all the preparation ahead of time your toddler should be well equipped to enjoy and maybe even ham-up their experience with Santa! Enjoy.</p>
<p><em>Jeni Weisiger is a Developmental Specialist in the Early Intervention Program and teaches infant massage classes to parents and caregivers. She is new to the area and looking for ways to be involved with early childhood in Champaign County.</em></p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/15/ho-ho-ho-santa-photos-in-champaign-urbana-and-beyond/' rel='bookmark' title='Ho Ho Ho! Santa Photos in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond'>Ho Ho Ho! Santa Photos in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/21/santaphonecalls/' rel='bookmark' title='Santa Makes Calls to Champaign-Urbana Area Kids'>Santa Makes Calls to Champaign-Urbana Area Kids</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/15/a-sense-of-scale-for-the-holidays/' rel='bookmark' title='A Sense of Scale for the Holidays'>A Sense of Scale for the Holidays</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Christmas Story Movie Marathon December 5</title>
		<link>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/01/christmas-story-movie-marathon-december-5/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/01/christmas-story-movie-marathon-december-5/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:06:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>From The Editors</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Things To Do in CU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[A Christmas Story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christmas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[movies]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chambanamoms.com/?p=12714</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[See Ralphie and friends on the big screen!


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/16/where-to-eat-on-christmas-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='Where to Eat on Christmas in Champaign-Urbana'>Where to Eat on Christmas in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/10/03/kid-movie-critic-dolphin-tale/' rel='bookmark' title='Kid Movie Critic: Dolphin Tale'>Kid Movie Critic: Dolphin Tale</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/14/2011-champaign-urbana-winter-holiday-fun-guide-december/' rel='bookmark' title='2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: December'>2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: December</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
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<div id="attachment_12723" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/3137406538_c21561a889.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-12723" title="Christmas Story " src="http://www.chambanamoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/3137406538_c21561a889-300x199.jpg" alt="Christmas Story movie Savoy DSO" width="300" height="199" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">See A Christmas Story on Monday, Dec. 5 during a special movie marathon at Savoy 16 benefitting local kids. Photo by @Katie@! on flickr</p></div>
<p>You don&#8217;t have to wait until the annual cable network&#8217;s 24-hour marathon during Christmas to see one of our all-time favorite holiday movies. On Monday, it will be playing on the big screen in Savoy &#8212; and your family can see it for a small donation to a great cause.</p>
<p>Join <a href="http://www.wixyclassic.com/DSO-Movie/11401997" target="_blank">WYXY Classic 99.1</a> and Delta Sigma Omicron (D.S.O.) at <a href="http://www.gqti.com/theaters.aspx?theaterid=1476" target="_blank">The Savoy 16 Theaters</a> for the &#8220;A Christmas Story&#8221; Movie Marathon on Monday, December 5. Show times at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5pm, 7pm with the last show starting at 9 p.m.</p>
<p>And all you have to do to get in is make a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>$5 donation or bring a New Unwrapped Toy </strong></span>for the  (<a href="http://www.disability.illinois.edu/holidayparty">D.S.O.</a>) Holiday Party for Children with Disabilities and their Siblings.</p>
<p>Delta Sigma Omicron (DSO), the disability service organization at the University of Illinois, AMBUCS, WYXY Classic 99.1, and the Optimist Club of Champaign-Urbana are hosting the DSO Annual Holiday Party. This party is for children with a disability and their families, and will take place on Saturday, Dec. 10. If interested in attending, please view the information on <a href="http://www.disability.illinois.edu/holidayparty" target="_blank">the DSO website. </a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/12/16/where-to-eat-on-christmas-in-champaign-urbana/' rel='bookmark' title='Where to Eat on Christmas in Champaign-Urbana'>Where to Eat on Christmas in Champaign-Urbana</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/10/03/kid-movie-critic-dolphin-tale/' rel='bookmark' title='Kid Movie Critic: Dolphin Tale'>Kid Movie Critic: Dolphin Tale</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.chambanamoms.com/2011/11/14/2011-champaign-urbana-winter-holiday-fun-guide-december/' rel='bookmark' title='2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: December'>2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: December</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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