Notable Neighbors

Kirkwood Families Get Christmas Thanks to Students

For 14 years, a Kirkwood resident has overseen a holiday drive to make Christmas wishes come true for Kirkwood families in need.

Kirkwood resident David McCoy was so inspired when he learned of Kirkwood Early Childhood Center's (KECC) Parents as Teachers (PAT) program that he has spent more than a decade helping bring PAT families the Christmas they deserve. For the past 14 years, McCoy has overseen donations to PAT families in Kirkwood made through a holiday drive at Chaminade where he is a teacher. Students collect gifts and money to send to families in the Kirkwood School District who need assistance.  McCoy and Chaminade have adopted 11 PAT families this year. "Most of them are single-parent families and otherwise probably wouldn't have a Christmas if we didn't provide one for them," McCoy said. The Chaminade holiday collection is part of the school's Sharing …

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Local Charities Release Holiday Cards for a Cause

Buy your annual holiday cards from a local charity this year.

Every holiday season, families across the country send cards to their loved ones, filling them in on the last year and wishing them a happy new one.  For families planning to buy holiday cards this year, nonprofit organizations around the area are offering unique cards that benefit their missions. That way, each card sends holiday cheer while supporting a worthy cause. Here is our round-up of holiday cards for charity. Operation Food Search Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Our Little Haven Saint Louis Zoo Is your non-profit organization selling cards this holiday season? Add your photo and information to the story by clicking the Upload Pictures and Video button. 

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Nearly Half of Americans Begin Holiday Shopping Before Halloween, What About You?

The Natinoal Retail Federation released its annual holiday shopping forecast. Americans are shopping earlier than ever, the survey shows, which could lead to a 4.1 percent increase in national sales.

Accustomed to pinching pennies thanks to years of economic downturn, holiday shoppers this year will look for ways to cut corners, comparative  shop online and even plan to travel less, if not at all, the National Retail Federation said in its annual shopping forecast for the Christmas season. On average, the NRF expects holiday consumers to spend $749.51 on holiday gifts, decor, greeting cards and more in 2012. That's more than the $740.57 shoppers actually spent in 2011. According to the survey, nearly half of Americans say they've begun holiday shopping before Halloween—12.3 percent of those surveyed before September; 7 percent during September; and 22.1 percent by the end of October. "Perhaps boosted by interest in layaway options or …

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Buying Christmas Gifts for the Hard-to-Buy-For: What Do You Do?

Yes, it's still a little early to think about Christmas shopping. I understand. But it's coming up soon. And we all know that one person who is extremely hard to buy for. What do you do?

I will make no apology for this edition of our weekly "Conversation Starter." I'm selfishly motivated by the need for your help. And I don't care that Halloween is still three days away. Or that Christmas is still nearly two months off. We need all the time we can get. See, here's the problem: My father is in his early 70s; my father-in-law is in his early 80s. If anything, they're trying to get rid of things. What do you buy for the hard-to-buy-for? What do you do to make the Christmas merry for the folks who seem to have everything, don't need anything or who won't let themselves get pinned down? Here's another stumper for you: My son is 17. He's a drama kid, a singer, a World of Warcraft fanatic. He is every bit as hard to buy for as my…

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Winning Gingerbread Houses Deck Halls of Webster YMCA

Candy constructions are on display for the Kirkwood-Webster Groves Family YMCA gingerbread house making contest.

Gingerbread buildings are on display this week at the Webster Groves Family YMCA. Families entered their sweet sculptures in the gingerbread house making contest on Saturday for a chance to win gift cards. First place, a $25 gift card, went to Owen Backer, of Kirkwood. Second place, a $15 gift card, went to Christopher Douglas, of Des Peres. Third place, a $10 gift card, went to Libby Brooking, of Webster Groves. Nicole Burke, of Ellisville, and Erin Sullivan, of Ballwin, both received honorable mentions.

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Tour Sparkling Worlds Around St. Louis

Use our holiday light guide map to plan a night of family fun.

Each blue point on our holiday light guide map represents a particularly beautiful light display in the St. Louis region. Click on the blue points to find addresses, hours and details. As more parks, businesses and neighbors begin to deck the halls, send us your pictures of beautiful holiday light displays. We'll add them to the map so families can plan light-viewing outings. Send pictures, addresses and impressions of light displays to your local Patch or to Lindsay.Toler@patch.com. If you're on the road, tweet about it @StLouisLindsay.

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Share Your Holiday Recipes with Patch

Have a special family recipe for the holidays? Share the love!

Every family has a dish, drink or treat that reminds them of the holidays—even if you're tasting it in July! We want to hear your holiday recipes. It's a lot to ask, so in exchange, Patch editors will round up recipes from their foodie readers to share with you.  It doesn't have to be complicated or gourmet. We're not pros here. We're your neighbors, and with your help, we want to find new ways to treat our families this winter. Hit the "Submit Photo & Video" button above to share your own recipes, or email your editor with questions. And from all of us at Patch, Happy Holidays! Avocado Chocolate Mousse Dump everything into food processor and mix until creamy. You may have to stop a few times to scrape down the sides (and taste test). You …

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Life in the Sandwich

Post-Thanksgiving Letdown; Pre-Christmas Procrastination

Between the the post-Thanksgiving letdown and the pre-Christmas frenzy, there exists a tiny window of time to reflect on the holidays.

Who thought it was a good idea to put Thanksgiving so close to Christmas? The Canadians are smart, their Thanksgiving is in October, putting more than eight weeks between the two holidays. I’d like that, I feel like I need more than eight weeks to recover from Thanksgiving, yet I only have about eight days, less even, before I’m thrown into the next holiday frenzy.  I really shouldn’t complain. My Thanksgiving is tiny compared to most. Dinner for five, two house guests for two to three days, easy-peasy, right? Yes and no.  Every year our house guests are my in-laws. Lovely people, though slightly neurotic, and even after 22 years of marriage to their son, I still feel like my house needs to be spotless when they visit. A week of shopping, …

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Black Friday Shopping Guide in St. Louis

The stores, sales and strategies you need to optimize your all-night shopping blow-out.

Here’s a new holiday tradition to try: Say grace, eat turkey, head to the mall. Black Friday sales start at midnight this year at some of the regions biggest stores, including Walmart, Target, Kohl’s and Best Buy. We’ve read through the ads and compiled everything you need for the best all-night holiday shopping blow-out possible. And for each sale, we've highlighted the items we think would make the best gifts (at the best prices!) Check back on Black Friday for updates and tips, and if you hit the sales, tag your tweets with #BlackFridaySTL or mention @StLouisLindsay. And don't forget: Black Friday sales are already starting online at popular big box stores. Best Buy said they've already sold out of popular $80 TVs and $150 laptops, but …

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