Monday, December 24, 2012
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 …
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Check out Santa's reindeer in the days before they head out to deliver presents.
Kids can take a peek at Santa's reindeer via a live feed at reindeercam.com. The live camera shows several of Santa's reindeer grazing and hanging out at the North Pole. The reindeer are both male and female. Santa comes out to feed the reindeer everyday at 10 a.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. CST until Dec. 24. In addition, a sign shows a list of children who are on the "Nice" list. Learn more about how to get your name on the nice list here.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Need to find something for the gamer in your life? Check out our handy holiday shopping guide.
If you’re unfamiliar with the world of video games, stepping into the games section of a Best Buy or entering a Gamestop can be a bewildering experience. Perhaps you're a parent wanting something fun and wholesome for your kid, a girlfriend wondering what her refuses-to-grow-up boyfriend might like or a grandparent trying to impress a grandchild with your grasp of technology. Have no fear, Patch has complied a list of some the holiday’s best and biggest games, along with some recommendations for who might enjoy them. "Call of Duty: Black Ops II" $59.99, Mature (Xbox 360, Playstion 3, PC, Nintendo Wii U) – For some seasoned parents of video game-obsessed kids, this name may sound familiar, and it should. The “Call of Duty” franchise …
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
It's time to vote among the finalists in five categories in our Patch Holiday Photo contest. Winners each get $100 in prizes.
We asked and you delivered! Thanks for dozens of entries into the Patch Holiday Photo Contest that started the day after Thanksgiving. You submitted your photos in five categories. Now our judges have narrowed the list to five finalists in each category. So it's your turn to vote. Link the links below to see the finalists in each category, then vote in the poll to choose your favorite. Winners in each category get $100 worth of prizes. We're sponsoring this contest with the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is eager to see how you celebrate Christmastime with your friends and family. You might even see some of your pictures in the CVB's Christmas promotions! CLICK BELOW TO VOTE IN EACH CATEGORY Christmas in St. Charles …
Friday, November 23, 2012
Warm our hearts with your best holiday pictures! Win prizes by sharing your snapshots in our contest, sponsored by Patch and the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau, which runs the annual Christmas on Main Street.
Ho, ho, hold still! We're trying to take some pictures here! And we'd love it if you'd share them with us in the 2012 Patch Holiday Photo Contest. You can win prizes worth $100 in any of five categories if you tap into your iPhone, Android or other digital photo library and send us some pictures that capture the holiday spirit. We're sponsoring this contest with the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is eager to see how you celebrate Christmastime with your friends and family. You might even see some of your pictures in the CVB's Christmas promotions! Here's how you enter this year's Patch Holiday Photo Contest. Click on a link below to upload your photos into the category of your choice. Send them in by 5 p.m., Dec. 10. …
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Share your pictures in this category of our Patch Holiday Photos contest.
What's that wonderfully amusing holiday memory that you've captured on your camera? Share your photos on that theme with us by clicking the "Upload Photos and Videos" button on this page and following the instructions. For more info about the contest and the official rules, return to the main page for the Patch Holiday Photo Contest with the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Share your pictures in this category of our Patch Holiday Photos contest.
Show us the most interesting, amazing, charming or jolly decorations you can find—but let us see the people behind them, too! Share your photos on that theme with us by clicking the "Upload Photos and Videos" button on this page and following the instructions. For more info about the contest and the official rules, return to the main page for the Patch Holiday Photo Contest with the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Share your pictures in this category of our Patch Holiday Photos contest.
Do you have a favorite photo that captures that Norman Rockwell moment, or an image that memorializes a regular tradition in your family? Share your photos on that theme with us by clicking the "Upload Photos and Videos" button on this page and following the instructions. For more info about the contest and the official rules, return to the main page for the Patch Holiday Photo Contest with the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Share your pictures in this category of our Patch Holiday Photos contest.
Have you and your kids seen Santa Claus in old St. Charles, or watched ice carving? Is there another great memory of Christmas on Main Street that you've captured? Share your photos on that theme with us by clicking the "Upload Photos and Videos" button on this page and following the instructions. For more info about the contest and the official rules, return to the main page for the Patch Holiday Photo Contest with the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Share your pictures in this category of our Patch Holiday Photos contest.
What makes the holidays uniquely "St. Charles" for you? Share your photos on that theme with us by clicking the "Upload Photos and Videos" button on this page and following the instructions. For more info about the contest and the official rules, return to the main page for the Patch Holiday Photo Contest with the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Elizabeth O'Fallon
7:19 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Love the crying baby pic! more ›