Christmas Fun Facts and Trivia

How much will we spend this year? And what's the best-selling Christmas song of all time? Find the answers below.

We know that there were three Wise Men, 12 days of Christmas and that Santa delivers all his presents around the world in one night. But did you know... $23,439.38  How much it would cost to buy your "true love" all the gifts in the 12 Day of Christmas . 12.9 billion hours, $447 billion How many hours Americans were expected to spend shopping, wrapping and returning gifts last year. That was about 42 hours and $688.87 per person.  Get your postman/postwoman a gift According to Hallmark, Christmas is the largest card-sending occasion . Nearly 1.5 billion cards are sent to friends and family every Christmas Season. (That's actually down 400 million cards since 2004.) $983 million The value of U.S. imports of Christmas tree ornaments from …

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Despiser of Obama

8:52 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012

Calling the kettle black by saying the one closest to your Church.   more ›

Today is a Holiday, Too! See What’s Open and Closed

With Christmas falling on the weekend this year, today is the observed holiday and some places will still be closed on Monday, Dec. 26.

Christmas falling on a Sunday makes travel a little bit easier, and doesn’t cut into the regular work week. But this means today might not necessarily be business as usual, as it is the observed holiday. Check our list before you head out on your errands. It’s also always a good idea to call ahead. Note about Metra: The regular Saturday schedule will be in effect on December 31, with the exception of trains departing after midnight on December 31st. Trains will be held at the downtown terminals until 1:15 a.m. to accommodate passengers attending New Years Eve events in downtown Chicago.    Looking for more holiday stories? Christmas and the Bears: A Match Made For Bars Are You Having A Blue Christmas? Here's Help for Preventing the …

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Let it Snow? It is On Google, But Maybe Not Here

Christmas may be green in Chicago's south suburbs, but in the meantime, check out the cool search engine effect.

Will it snow in the south suburbs this holiday weekend? Maybe not, but you can get some of the Christmas magic on Google. Join millions in typing "let it snow" in a Google search and watch what happens. You can clear it up by hitting the "defrost" button or by "scraping" with your mouse. According to forecasts from the National Weather Service in Romeoville, the Chicago area might not see much snow. This map shows little to no snow coverage throughout the area now, and most forecasts say we'll be without a White Christmas. The Weather Channel's forecast map shows that the Chicago area will be without a White Christmas. That doesn't necessarily mean we won't have snow; on that map, "White Christmas" means at least an inch of snow. According…

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Five Last-Minute Christmas Gifts for Dad

It’s not too late to get your dad a great Christmas present. We have come up with some great options you can still have under the tree by Sunday morning.

Finding the right gift for dad can be the most difficult task on a holiday list. This results in many years gone by with the old standby present, a shirt and tie. Surprise dad this year and switch out that old boring gift with something special.  No matter your choice of gift, dad will be surely be happy just knowing you took the time to think of him. The gift is just a bonus! Merry Christmas!

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Oh Come, All Ye Faithful: Where Do You Gather?

Please join the discussion on Patch and leave reviews in our business directory.

  Each week Patch focuses on a different product or service. This week, we're doing something a little different. With Hanukkah starting this week and Christmas this weekend, many readers will be visiting places of worship. New residents might even be looking for the right place for them. So tell us where you worship, readers, what newcomers can expect, and why your place is special. When a new family moves into your neighborhood and they ask for your recommendations for stores, take-out places or professional services, what do you say? Because Patch has an extensive directory of businesses, we want all of our readers to benefit from your experience the way your neighbors do. What are your go-to places for dinner on those nights when you …

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Deals and Tales: Our 2011 Holiday Guide

We are collecting holiday stories to accompany our special holidays advertising section.

Sleighs, Santa, Singing and Lights: Orland Park’s 2011 Holiday Festival (Video)

Attendees were treated to an array of local entertainment, and a light display extending all the way down Ravinia Avenue.

Dozens of families took part in Orland Park’s 2011 Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony Sunday at the Civic Center. There was plenty to see, hear and do between music by the Encore Chamber Band, singing and dancing by Orland Park Glee and magic by John Measner. Face and hand painting was available, as was Santa for pictures with kids. Trips on a horse-drawn sleigh were held throughout the afternoon and early evening. Orland Park Recreation staff held a table to teach attendees about green living, and the Smart Living Residential Rewards Program. “Even though Orland Park is getting bigger, events like this make it still feel like a small town,” said Mayor Dan McLaughlin before the tree lighting that concluded the event. The village’s…

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Kris Kringle Haus Open Again Thanks to 'Christmas Nuts' Couple

Popular and longtime Christmas shop returns to Orland Park for another holiday season.

Kris Kringle Haus is not the North Pole and owner Jim Gierucki only looks like Santa Claus with a bushy white beard. But the store in Orland Park is definitely filled with the Christmas spirit. Kris Kringle Haus opened last month at 15210 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park’s Ravinia Plaza (the same location as last year) and the store is filled with all things Christmas from cards to Nutcrackers. Jim and wife Cleo have been operating Kris Kringle Haus for 22 years. For the first 16 years, the store was open year-round in Geneva; which made for a lengthy commute for the Palos Park couple. Changing times led the couple to close up the Geneva store in 2006 and try their hand at a seasonal shop in Palos Heights. They moved the shop to Orland the …

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From Bar Brawls and Perv Calls to Christmas Cheer and Tasty Beer, See What Your Neighbors Are Doing

Patch has the scoop on the Southland. Take a peek at what's going on in the neighborhoods around you!

Our New Year's resolution at Orland Park Patch is to serve you better. So we want to make sure you know about all of the local Patches that can help keep you connected to the people and places that matter most to you.   A dozen Patches now serve the Chicago Southland, delivering news, features, sports and video every day! From the news that may affect your morning commute to weekend events and business listings for shops and restaurants, Patch is looking out for you. Check out what's been happening lately in the Patches of the south suburbs. Looking for news in other communities not listed above? Visit patch.com to view all of the towns we're covering across the nation—our 750th site went live on Wednesday—with more to come in 2011! Happy…

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South Suburban Community Comes Together to Experience Gift of Giving

The Emmaus Community church in Chicago Heights served as a PADS facility on Christmas, offering meals, haircuts and a warm respite from the winter.

Carol Marshall stood in the middle of a dozen volunteers who in a moment became food servers. Prepared food had just arrived for the Christmas dinner on Saturday at The Emmaus Community in Chicago Heights. The church served as a facility for South Suburban PADS, or Public Action to Deliver Shelter, on Christmas, offering hot meals, a comfortable environment and haircuts for the homeless. A buffet line of homemade turkey, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, and pies was set up, ready for service. But with so many people who decided to spend their Christmas helping out at Emmaus, Marshall needed to find more tasks for them. Then it hit her. Those volunteers would literally serve Christmas dinner plates to the 65 guests seated at tables within …

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