It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

When I got off my train to go to work on Monday, I saw that Christmas had taken over the train station! I haven't worked in downtown Chicago at Christmastime since 1991, so I'd forgotten just how glorious the decorations could be and how BIG! It makes me want to go Christmas shopping!

But over the last few years, I've found myself doing most of my Christmas shopping online. It seems like a lot of the unique brick-and-mortar shops with unusual and pretty things have given way to chain stores and strip malls that are the same everywhere.

I think I'll make it a point this year to seek out the unusual remaining stores and places this season before the snow hits. Sometimes, it's not what you buy, but the experiences you have with the people you love. I'll have to ask my husband if he has any ideas of where he'd like to go shopping, even if it's just "window shopping." He's more of a shopper than I am, and I know he'll have some good ideas!

On my way from the train station to work, I pass the Goodman Theatre every day. The Goodman Theatre puts on a great performance of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" every year. I've seen it several times, and it's always fantastic. We just saw it a couple years ago when we took my niece and nephew, so I don't think we'll be going again this soon.

The Joffrey Ballet puts on a great presentation of "The Nutcracker" as well every Christmas season. I've also seen this several times.

You'd think living in the Chicago area, I could think of something different to do this year for Christmas fun!