The Christmas Tree Debate: Keep it Real or Go Fake?

Readers can share their Christmas tree memories, share photos and discuss which style of tree they prefer in their home this season.

A funny thing begins to happen around town the first weekend after Thanksgiving. Suddenly, tightly wrapped trees are being strapped to the roofs of family cars with bungy cords and driven home. Soon, these will be set up in the living room, wrapped in lights (once untangled of course), and decked with colored balls, pre-school-era ornaments, tinsel, or just about anything else these days. Tell us what you decorate your tree with in comments below. But not every family goes through the motions of picking up their tree at a nearby lot, or heading out to the farm to cut one down. Instead, they simply head up to the attic to dust off the same one they used last year. To go real, or fake: that's the question. Personally, I love a real tree. The…

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Chicago Christian Students Send Christmas Presents to Impoverished Nations

Written by National Honor Society sponsor Barb Lavery

 “Socks, school supplies, some soap.” Who would ask for these items for Christmas? Children in impoverished areas desire simple things that we in America take for granted. Operation Christmas Child is a way to share the blessings we have with children in other parts of the world where poverty is the norm. Chicago Christian High School students prepared 71 Christmas Boxes stuffed with toys, soaps and toothpaste, crayons and books, and other delightful surprises that a young boy or girl might enjoy. The boxes are wrapped and brought to the Moraine Valley Church collection site. Those boxes will be delivered to children in South Africa, the Sudan, the Dominican Republic, and Angola. Students worked throughout the week to purchase items for …

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Have the Best, Most Environmentally Conscious Christmas Tree

We have all the tips on how to celebrate Christmas while looking out for environment

Christmas is just around the corner, which means it's now time to find a good tree for the family.  There is no clear cut answer as to which Christmas tree to choose. This choice is based on one's own tastes and desires. Included are a few general tips regarding the maintenance of your tree, what type of lights to use and where to get them, and how and where to dispose of your tree. Also, I wouldn't be a very good environmental columnist if I didn't present to you a reasonable argument supporting real Christmas trees as opposed to those plastic, synthetic trees. Care and Maintenance According to the National Christmas Tree Association, Christmas trees are half their weight in water. Extending the life of your tree is all about maintaining…

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Photo Gallery: Heights and Park Welcome In The Holiday Season

Palos Park and Palos Heights celebrated the start of the season with Christmas tree lighting ceremonies.

With the flick of a switch the start of the holiday season is upon us. Palos Park and Palos Heights held tree lighting ceremonies on Friday. Complete with with Christmas carols, Santa Claus and lots of lights the celebrations were the official kick-off of the Christmas season. Scroll through the photos and videos below to see the night's festivities action.

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From the Editor

Buy a Christmas Tree, Support a Good Cause

The Palos Lions Club is raising money for charitable causes through the sale of Christmas trees.

If the the massive crowds storming shopping malls on Black Friday showed us anything, it is that Christmas can often become a commercialized spending spree. Retailers offer the latest gadgets and big box stores push shiny new holiday decorations. I think at the end of the day everyone wants to feel like they have given back a little during the holidays. The Palos Lions Club's Christmas tree sale is the perfect opportunity to do just that. From now until Christmas Eve the organization will be selling trees in the Jewel parking lot at 127th Street and Harlem Avenue. Prices range from $25 to $160. The proceeds go toward purchasing gift baskets and grocery gift cards for Palos-area families in need. Some of the funds also go toward the Lions …

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