Hometown Holiday

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Transcript of Hometown Holiday

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Find all your holiday essentials at

A Lake Girlalways bringsgood cheer!

AuroraDecember 6 – 21 The Second City’s Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm. Located at the Copley The-atre, at 8 E. Galena Boulevard in Aurora.

You’ve seen some of their brightest stars in TV and movies, and now the comedians of Chicago’s world-famous Second City return to the intimate 216-seat Copley Theatre with their usual brand of irreverent humor—and a different sort of holiday cheer. This troupe will put grins on your face and laughs in your belly with their whip-smart improvi-sation, hilarious and offbeat songs, and a willing-

ness to skewer any topic you can name. Tickets are $35. For tickets or more information, please call 630-896-6666 or visit www.paramountaurora.com.

December 7 – 8 A Christmas Carol Saturday at 2pm & 6pm, Sunday at 1pm & 5pm, and Monday at 9am & 12pm. Located at the Paramount Theatre, at 23 E. Galena Boulevard in Aurora

Featuring lively music, gorgeous dance, breath-taking costumes, and magical design that evokes the wonder and spirit of Christmas. In Dickens’ classic tale, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future,

Holiday Calendar of Events

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HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSESunday, Dec. 1st • 12–5pm

Join us for refreshments, raffles & store-wide salesRt. 31 & Wilson St. • Batavia, IL 60150

Store Hours:Mon–Sat 10-5 • Sun 12-5

BEE-ATTITUDESANTIQUES

Accessories630-879-1234

630-761-0813

and given the chance to redeem himself and be better to his fellow man. Tickets are $35 for Adults and $25 for Kids 12 & Under. For tickets or more information, please call 630-896-6666 or visit www.paramountaurora.com.

December 14Mannheim Steamroller

Christmas4pm at The Paramount

Theatre, at 23 E. Galena Boulevard in Aurora

For over 25 years the American Christmas sea-son has included

the musical ar-rangements and

uplifting harmonies of Mannheim Steamroller.

They’re considered the premier choral interpreter of

Yuletide standards, and this December you can experience this beloved act live with your whole family, led by group founder Chip Davis. Tick-

ets start at $59. For tickets or more information, please call 630-896-6666 or visit www.paramoun-taurora.com.

December 18 Christmas with the Celts 1:30pm at The Paramount Theatre, at 23 E. Ga-lena Boulevard in Aurora

It’s high-energy, fast-dancing Christmas with music from the green and rocky lands of Ireland and Scotland. For over 15 years the Celts have traveled the world playing the passionate songs of their homeland with a pop twist, including both fiery traditionals and the hits of beloved contemporary artists like Van Morrison and The Chieftains. Tickets start at $30. For tickets or more information, please call 630-896-6666 or visit www.paramountaurora.com.

December 31Piano Men: A Tribute to Elton John & Billy Joel 6pm at The Paramount Theatre, at 23 E. Galena Boulevard in Aurora

It’s the ultimate tribute to two of the greatest sing-er/songwriters of our time by Craig Meyer (Almost

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Elton John) and Donnie Kehr - two of the best tribute artists in the country. You’ll spend New Year’s Eve singing your heart out and dancing in the aisles as these two amazing perform-ers take the stage together with their pianos to play hit after endless hit. The 10pm performance includes champagne toast and party favors. Tickets are $55. For tickets or more information, please call 630-896-6666 or visit www.paramountaurora.com.

BataviaNovember 30 & December 1 The Nutcracker Saturday at 2pm & 7pm and Sunday at 2pm at the Batavia Fine Arts Cen-ter, at 1201 Main Street in Batavia

This spectacular performance will in-clude professional guest artists from around the world, special effects, full scenery and colorful costumes, and a magical experience for everyone

to remember! Tickets for adults are $25-35 and children (10 and under) are $20-30. For tickets or more information, please visit www.statestreetdancestu-dio.com.

December 1Batavia’s Celebration of Lights 5:30pm on the Batavia Riverwalk in Downtown Batavia

Come experience the magic of the sea-son. Visit with Santa, join in community carols, warm up with roasted chestnuts or take a walk through Christmas Tree Lane. For more information, please visit www.bataviaparks.org.

December 6 – 15Just in the Nick of Time Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2:30pm & 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:30pm. Located at the Albright Theatre, at 100 N. Island Ave. in Batavia.

Christmas is coming but Santa Claus is missing! The vibrant citizens of the

Thanksgiving Weekend Hours Fri & Sat 9am – 10pm � Sun 11am – 6pm

CHOOSEFROM

Pecan Pumpkin Butterat Williams-Sonomalocated next to Chico’s

Dog Toy & Treats at Wet Noselocated near

Things Remembered

Enjoy the best holiday shopping and take home one of two gifts, compliments of Geneva Commons.Bring receipts totaling $75 or more from any Geneva Commons stores or restaurants dated November 23, 2013

or later to the redemption location indicated below. One per customer, while supplies last.

The best things in life602 COMMONS DRIVE

GENEVA, IL 60134630.262.0044

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TWO FREE GIFTSWITH PURCHASE, BEGINNING SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23

Christmas Tree Lighting 5:30pm � Santa Visits 5:30 – 7pm � Free Carriage Rides 2:30 – 6:30pm

Friday, November 29 near the Bell TowerLIGHT UP THE NIGHT

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North Pole soon start losing their color and holi-day spirit. It’s up to Detective Red Mistletoe to get some answers, rescue Santa, and save Christmas! Tickets are $12 for adults and $9 for students and seniors. For tickets or more information, please call 630-406-8838 or visit www.albrighttheatre.com.

December 7 – Sing-Along of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ 6pm at the Batavia Fine Arts Center, at Wilson Street and Western Ave. in Batavia

Take part in this community sing-along. Non-sing-ers are welcome to sit in the audience. Donations will be accepted as admission. The suggested donation is $10. Proceeds benefit theater students at Batavia High School and Rotolo Middle School. For more information, please visit www.bataviast-age.org.

December 8 – Acappellago Holiday Concert 4pm at the Congregational Church of Batavia, at 21 S. Batavia Ave. in Batavia

Acappellago, an adult volunteer a cappella cham-ber choir based in the west suburbs, will perform its annual Holiday Concert. Along with many fa-vorites, there will be Chicago and US premieres of contemporary holiday choir works. Tickets at $17 each. For more information, email [email protected].

December 22Holiday Sing-Along 2pm at the Batavia Public Library, at 10 S. Batavia Ave. in Batavia

Celebrate the season! Singer/musician Tom Ma-louf will lead participants in a variety of traditional and contemporary carols, putting everyone in a holiday mood. Registration required. To register or for more information, please call 630-879-1393 or visit www.batavia.lib.il.us.

Christmas Aroundthe World

Saturday, November 30, New OrleansSaturday, December 7, GermanySaturday, December 14, MexicoSaturday, December 21, Italy

Luncheon at 12:00 NoonOscar Swan Country Inn Opens its MansionFor Christmas Around the World

The food & décor each Saturdaywill represent the featured country.

Live Entertainment

Santa Claus will be dropping by

$29 Per Person

Please Call ForReservations

Oscar Swan Country Inn1800 West State Street, Geneva, IL 60134

(630) 232-0173www.oscarswan.com

ColonialWilliamsburgDinner

Bountiful Dessert BuffetHot Spiced CiderCoffee and TeasBar Service Available

$49 Per Person

Please Call ForReservations

OUR MENU INCLUDES:Roasted Hubbard-Squash Soupwith hazelnuts and chivesHot Spicy Shrimpwith mango avocado salsaSalad Platterwith poppyseed dressingSpice-rubbed Beef Tenderloinwith a red wine sauceRoasted Sweet Potatoeswith apples and maple butterFingerling Potatoesseasoned with sea-salt and rosemaryHome-styled Corn Pudding

Thursday, December 5th, 7pm

EnjoyLive Music byAl & SusanSchubert

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ElburnDecember 1Elburn’s Breakfast with Santa 8am at the Elburn Lions Club, at 500 Filmore Street in Elburn

The Leo Club fundraiser will feature all-you-can-eat pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, pastries, milk, orange juice and coffee. The cost is $8 for adults and $6 for those ages 3 to 12. Those younger than 3 are free. There also will be made-to-order omelets for an additional $2 per omelet. Those who come are urged to bring items for the Elburn Food Pantry. For more information, please call 630-365-6315.

December 6 Christmas Stroll 5pm throughout the Village of Elburn

Beginning with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus! Activities occur throughout the Village and include a wide variety of opportunities. For more information, please visit www.elburn.il.us.

GenevaNovember 29Light Up the Night 2:30pm at the Geneva Commons, at 602 Com-mons Drive in Geneva

Gather at the commons for the heartwarming tradition of bringing in the holidays. The event starts with free carriage rides, then at 5:30pm Santa will arrive to light the giant Christmas tree. After the lighting, children are welcome to visit Santa. For more information, please visit www.shopgenevacommons.com.

December 1 – 31Sunday Breakfast Buffet Sundays from 9:30am-11am at the Oscar Swan Country Inn, at 1800 W. State Street in Geneva

Options include Oscar’s signature eggs, blueberry pancakes, baked ham, specialty breads, scones, bagels and more. Cost is $15.95 and reservations are required. To make a reservation or for more information, please call 630-232-0173 or visit www.oscarswan.com.

Purchase your tickets today.Great seats start at just $25! ElginSymphony.Org 847-888-4000

Stephen Squires, conductorElgin Choral UnionElgin Children’s ChorusMidwest Dance Collective

Magical Holiday ConcertsSaturday, Dec. 14 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 15 2:30 p.m.Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin

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December 1, 8, 15 & 22Santa Sightings & Photo Opps 12:30pm-5pm at the Geneva Com-mons, at 602 Commons Drive in Geneva

Visit with Santa and get our photo taken with the big man himself! Families are encouraged to bring cameras and video recorders to cap-ture the enchanting visit, since there will be no photo service at the site, thus saving families the expense. For more information, please visit www.shopgenevacommons.com.

December 1, 8 & 15Free Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides 1pm-5pm at the Geneva Commons, at 602 Commons Drive in Geneva

Shoppers can board the 8-to-10-pas-senger carriage that runs continu-ously around the perimeter of the 437,000 square-foot lifestyle center. For more information, please visit www.shopgenevacommons.com.

December 4Holiday Shopping Night 5:30pm-9pm at Eagle Brook Coun-try Club, at 2288 Fargo Boulevard in Geneva

Don’t miss this annual shopping night! For more information, please call 630-208-4653 or visit www.eaglebrookclub.com.

December 6 & 7Christmas Walk & House Tour Friday 11am-8pm and Saturday 11am-5pm in Geneva

Tour five lovely homes decorated in holiday splendor. A traditional Holiday Tea at the Congregations Church and a booklet with delight-ful Christmas decorating and en-tertaining ideas are included in the price of the ticket. Tickets are $30. For tickets or more information, please visit www.genevachamber.com.

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Holiday ConcertDecember 21st!

(in aid of a diabetic child)

December 75th Annual Snowflake Shuffle 5K Run/Walk 7am at the Mill Creek Club-house and Subdivi-sion, at 39W525 Herrington Drive in Geneva

This holiday inspired family friendly event offers chip timing, tech shirts and Santa Claus in attendance. Cost is $25 for adults, $15 for children and teens (6 -17) and $10 for the youth mile (age 14 and under). Please note: Fees after November 27 are an additional $5 and shirts are not guaranteed. To register or for more information, please call 630-232-1070 or visit www.tricityfamilyservices.org.

December 7 Pet Pictures with Santa 9am-12pm at Kane County Animal Control, at 4060 Keslinger Road in Ge-neva

Santa will pose for a special picture with your pet! This is a free event for the public, and is first come, first serve. Participants are asked to make a donation to the shelter in the form of food, toys, blankets, and other animal caring products to be used for shelter pets during the coming year. For more information, please call 630-232-3555 or visit www.co.kane.il.us/animalcontrol.

December 13 – 21It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play Fridays at 7pm and Saturdays at 2pm at Playhouse 38, at 524 W. State Street in Geneva

Performed by 5 local actors voic-ing dozens of characters before a

live studio audience. True to Frank Capra’s cinematic masterpiece, every-

man George Bailey must learn that “no man is a failure who

has friends,” with the help of a little divine intervention.

Tickets are $14 each. For tickets or more informa-tion, please call 630-232-4542 or visit www.genevaparks.org.

December 14 Saturday with Santa 1pm-3pm at Peck Farm

Park, at 4038 Kaneville Road in Geneva

Enjoy a visit from Santa & his elves, create a holiday craft, warm

your toes by the fire and sip deli-cious hot cocoa. Cost is $5 per person. To

pre-register or for more information, please call 630-232-4542 or visit www.genevaparks.org.

December 14Dollmenders 10:30am-3pm at The Little Traveler, at 404 S. Third Street in Geneva

Get your dollies off the Island of Misfit Toys before Santa’s sleigh even hits the sky! Dollmenders

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December 14 Saturday with Santa

1pm-3pm at Peck Farm Park, at 4038 Kaneville

Road in Geneva

Enjoy a visit from Santa & his elves, create a holiday craft, warm your toes by the fire and sip delicious hot cocoa.

Cost is $5 per person. To pre-register or for more

information, please call 630-232-4542 or visit

www.genevaparks.org.

St. CharlesNovember 23 – December 22 – Nuncrackers: A Nunsense Christmas Musical at the Steel Beam Theatre, at 111 W. Main Street in St. Charles

It’s the annual Christmas program put on by the nuns of Mount Saint Helen’s and what will go wrong this year? Well, at the last minute Rever-end Mother must dance the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy, for one, and Father Virgil replaces Sister Julia Child of God in the cooking demon-stration! Children of the parish perform musical numbers and a Living Nativity Scene. Tickets for adults are $28, Seniors (62+) $25, Students (16 and under) $23. For tickets or more information, please call 630-587-8521 or visit www.steel-beamtheatre.com.

November 29 & 30St. Charles Holiday Homecoming Friday at 5pm and Saturday at 10:30am at vari-ous locations in Downtown St. Charles

Help welcome the holiday season to St. Charles.

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This event will feature Lighting of the Lights on Friday, and sleigh rides on 1st Street, visits with Santa, a holiday movie, and the Electric Christmas Parade on Saturday. All events and activities are free of charge. For more information, please call 630-443-3964 or visit www.downtownstcharles.org/holidays.

December 1 – 21 Sing Along with Santa Saturdays and Sundays at the Steel Beam The-atre, at 111 W. Main Street in St. Charles

Don’t miss this special Children’s Theatre event! This is a festive visit from Santa and his friends, along with goodies for the kids. Tickets for Adults are $15, Seniors (62+) $15, and Students (16 and under) $10. For tickets or more informa-tion, please call 630-587-8521 or visit www.steel-beamtheatre.com.

December 7A Home Town Celebration 6pm-10:30pm at the Arcada Theatre, at 105 E. Main Street in St. Charles

The evening will kick off with a special perfor-

mance by Live Wire, a group of 8 to 10-year-olds who have traveled the country, sharing their pas-sion of music, and will conclude with the home town sounds of Ides of March. Tickets are only $39 and $49, depending on seats. For tickets or more information, please call 630-962-7000 or visit www.oshows.com.

December 7 & 8Candlelight Carols: Carols and Anthems of the Season Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 3pm at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, at 307 Cedar Ave. in St. Charles

The program will include four songs arranged for choir and guitar, the first time that instrument has made an appearance at a St. Charles Singers Christmas concert. Guest artist will be classical guitarist Goran Ivanovic. For more information, please visit www.stcharlessingers.com.

December 7 & 8Durant House Candlelight Event 2pm-6pm both days at the Durant House Mu-seum, at 37W700 Dean Street in St. Charles

2061A Lincoln Highway • St. Charles, IL 60174(630) 587-1256 • www.hobbytown.com

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Step back in time to a 19th century Christmas dur-ing this annual event. All ages will enjoy learning about Christmas on the prairie and seeing the decorated tree. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for kids. For more information, please call 630-377-6424 or visit www.ppfv.org.

December 8The Letterman Christmas Show 7pm at The Arcada Theatre, at 105 E. Main Street in St. Charles

The 1950s chart toppers bring their unmatched harmonies to the Arcada for a night of incredible holiday entertainment for the whole family! Tick-ets start at $39. For tickets or more information, please call 630-334-0817 or visit www.oshows.com.

December 13Ho, Ho, Hoey Christmas Guitar Show with Gary Hoey 8pm at The Arcada Theatre, at 105 E. Main Street in St. Charles

Gary Hoey has been named one of the top 100 guitarists of all time and has appeared with Jeff

Beck, Eric Clapton, Ted Nugent, The Doobie Brothers, and Peter Frampton. Gary’s new album, Deja Blues, consists of a variety of blues styles he calls a “great intro (to blues) with a modern twist.” Tickets start at $29. For tickets or more informa-tion, please call 630-334-0817 or visit www.oshows.com.

December 14Woodland Santa’s Holiday Workshop 8:30am at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, at 3795 Campton Hills Road in St. Charles

Watch Santa arrive pulled by his dashing huskies at 8:45am, then spend some time helping him get ready for his big day. Write a letter to Santa, make an ornament and have your picture taken with the big guy himself! Cost is $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents per child with adult. Ages 1 and under are free. Breakfast snacks included. To register or for more information, please visit www.stcnature.org.

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December 15 & 22Breakfast with Santa 8:30am-10:30am both days at Hotel Baker, at 100 W. Main Street in St. CharlesCelebrate the holidays with a special breakfast with Santa! Cost is $21 for adults and $16 for children ages 3 to 13. Reservations are required. To register or for more information, please call 630-584-2100 or visit www.hotelbaker.com.

December 16John Tesh: Big Band Christmas 7pm at The Arcada Theatre, at 105 E. Main Street in St. Charles

John is an American pianist and composer of pop and contemporary Christian music, as well as a radio host and television presenter. For tickets or more information, please call 630-962-7000 or visit www.oshows.com. December 25Christmas Brunch 11:30am-2pm at St. Charles Free Methodist Church, at 214 Walnut Street in St. Charles

Enjoy boundless food and fellowship with others who wish to celebrate this special day. You are welcome to bring a dish to share (to serve 8-10 people) or supplies if you choose or drop one off if you are not able to attend. For more informa-tion, please call 630-587-2144.

December 26, 27 & 28Holiday Sleigh Rides 6pm-7pm or 7pm-8pm each night at Primrose Farm, at 5N726 Crane Road in St. Charles

Enjoy an old-fashioned holiday excursion! Bundle up for a tractor-drawn bobsled ride around the fields and trails of Primrose Farm. Warm up with cookies and a cup of hot chocolate and holiday music by the glow of the wood stove. Cost is $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents. To register or for more information, please call 630-513-4370 or visit www.primrosefarmpark.com.

December 31New Year’s Eve Party 5:30pm & 8pm at Hotel Baker, at 100 W. Main Street in St. Charles

Featuring a multi-course gourmet dinner, DJ entertainment, dancing and party favors. Ranges from $25 for the entertainment or $40-$50 for the dinner, which also includes the entertainment. There will be a cash bar. To make a reservation or for more information, please call 630-584-2100 or visit www.hotelbaker.com.

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The holiday season means it’s time once again for parents to take their youngsters to visit Santa Claus. Pictures with little boys and girls lining up in their dress clothes with Santa are a holiday tradition, and youngsters are often anxious for their chances to share their Christmas gift wishes with the jolly man in red.

But as integral as such photo sessions are to the holiday season, parents know they are one crying fit or meltdown away from having this tradition turn into trouble. After waiting in long lines to see Santa, it’s understandable when everyone’s patience starts to wear thin. The combination of antsy children and ag-gravated adults could set off a chain reaction that culminates in tear-stained cheeks and a

Visit Santa without all the tears

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sullied holiday memory. Pictures with Santa can go much more smoothly when you em-ploy the following tips.

Prep children While kids may love the idea of Santa, young-sters face to face with a man in a red suit and a big, white beard may be nervous. Begin talking up Santa a few months before Christ-mas, mentioning how nice and friendly he is. Gauge how kids act around costumed per-formers at fairs, circuses and birthday parties and help them grow accustomed to people in costumes. If costumes elicit screams of hor-ror, wait another year before seeing Santa.

Visit during off-peak hours Weekends and evenings are the busiest times to visit Santa. This means long lines and longer wait times. Instead of dealing with the masses, try to get to the mall when the doors first open. Otherwise, let the children skip a day of school and visit during the week when the lines are shorter.

Consider another venue Many different places of business host events where kids can meet Santa. Families may be able to share a meal with Santa at a restau-rant or visit him at a nursery while selecting Christmas trees. A different environment may be less intimidating to children and take the pressure off waiting in line in a busy mall.

Go well-fed There’s little worse than waiting in line and doing so hungry. Hunger pangs can turn even the most placid child into a menace. Pack snacks to enjoy while waiting. Opt for items that will not stain lips and teeth or drip onto clothing.

Make it a family photo Sometimes the only way to entice a little one to take a picture with Santa is to provide some added security. Dress your best and be prepared to have to step in and cozy up to Santa to ensure your child is all smiles.

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Novice holiday hosts often have a lot on their plates. Whether hosting family or friends or a combination of both, first-time hosts typically want to impress their guests while ensuring they get enough to eat and have an enjoy-able evening. Since dinner is such a big part of holiday gatherings, hosts often place extra emphasis on what to serve, and that can be tricky when this is the first time they are host-ing.

When planning the menu for your holiday soiree, consider the following tips.

Get a head count Though other factors will influence what to serve, the size of your guest list may ulti-mately dictate what to serve. For example, a small gathering of four to five people will likely rule out turkey, as even a small turkey will prove too much effort and produce too much extra food. On the same note, a small dish like lasagna might not be doable for a larger crowd, as it will force you to prepare multiple entrees, which means more time in

the kitchen juggling the various cooking du-ties and less time with your guests. Once you have confirmed just how many guests you will be hosting, you can then choose a main course that suits the size of your guest list.

Decide which type of party you want to hostThe type of party you want to host also will influence what you serve. A formal gathering should include an appetizer, a main course and a dessert, including both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees. A less formal gather-ing gives hosts more leeway. For example, whereas a formal gathering may include soup as an appetizer, hosting a less formal gath-ering allows hosts to put out some snacks or bread for guests to whet their appetites before everyone sits down for the meal. The more formal the gathering, the more formal the menu. Hosts of less formal gatherings may even want to host a holiday pot luck buffet, inviting guests to bring a favorite dish or side dish while the hosts take care of the main course.

Holiday menu planning for first-time hosts

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Ask guests if they have any dietary restrictions Upon being invited to a holiday dinner, some invitees may let hosts know if they have any food allergies or medical conditions that restrict which foods they can eat. Solicit such information from all of your guests, and do your best to cater to each of your guests’ needs. Some guests might be on a gluten-free diet while others may need to limit their sodium intake. You might not be able to meet everyone’s demands. Let guests know if they should bring an appropriate snack if you cannot provide one for them.

Include traditional holiday fare. People have grown to expect certain things from holiday meals, be it sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving, brisket for Chanukah or holiday cookies or even eggnog at Christmas parties. When planning the menu, be sure to include at least one of these traditional items, even asking guests for suggestions. Such fare will give the party a genuine holiday feel, and guests will appreciate seeing some items on your dinner table they have enjoyed at their own holiday celebrations over the years.

Don’t overdo it First-time hosts want to ensure everyone gets enough to eat, so it’s easy to overdo things and prepare too much food. This can be expensive, and guests may feel obligated to overeat so hosts don’t have to discard any of the food they worked so hard to prepare. Though it might once have been a holiday tradition to overeat, many men and women now prefer moderation, and hosts should keep that in mind when preparing their holi-day meals.

Hosting a holiday dinner for the first time can be nerve-wracking.But there are a variety of steps first-timers can take when preparing their menus to come off looking like old pros.

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Page 18: Hometown Holiday

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Decorations and shopping are integral parts of the holiday season, but very often it is the music being played over the airwaves that sets the tone for the festivities to come. Christmas music has been enjoyed for decades and certain compositions are widely loved and played year after year. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, who compiles lists of the most popular songs, lists “Santa Claus Is Com-ing to Town” and “Winter Wonderland,” both of which were written in 1934, as the oldest and most popular tunes. The newest popular song is “Wonderful Christmastime,” composed in 1979. Though personal preference often determines a holiday playlist, the following tunes are of the more popular Christmas songs:

• “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” - Mel Torme, Robert Wells• “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” - Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie• “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” - Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin• “Winter Wonderland” - Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith• “White Christmas” - Irving Berlin• “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” - Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne• “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” - Johnny Marks• “Jingle Bell Rock” - Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe

• “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” - Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram• “Little Drummer Boy” - Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati, Harry Simeone• “Sleigh Ride” - Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish• “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” - Edward Pola, George Wyle• “Silver Bells” - Jay Livingston, Ray Evans• “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” - John-ny Marks• “Feliz Navidad” - Jose Feliciano• “Blue Christmas” - Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson• “Frosty the Snowman” - Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins• “A Holly Jolly Christmas” - Johnny Marks• “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” - Tom-mie Connor• “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)” - Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman• “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” - Meredith Willson• “(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holi-days” - Bob Allen, Al Stillman• “Carol of the Bells” - Peter J. Wilhousky, Mykola Leontovich• “Santa Baby” - Joan Ellen Javits, Philip Spring-er, Tony Springer• “Wonderful Christmastime” - Paul McCartney

“White Christmas” is the most covered Christmas song of all time. There are more than 500 ver-sions in several different languages.

Most popular Christmas songs

KCChronicle.comPage 18 • Hometown Holidays • November 2013

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