Find Last-Minute Christmas Gifts in Unexpected Places

If the holidays leave you with little time to shop for gifts, try these stores in the Channahon or Minooka area for great last-minute gift ideas.

With all of the tree trimming, cookie baking and partygoing, there is so much to do during the holidays that it's easy to forget someone on your Christmas list. And, now it is Christmas Eve and you are probably going to find that most places are not open until Dec. 26. Fear not, though, we can help you find a great gift even if you have to buy it in a non-glamorous fashion. Or heck, we will even give you some suggestions for making gifts. Tell us: What are some of your own last-minute gift ideas? Share in the comments below.

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Buy Holiday Gifts that Give Back

Got someone on your list that has everything? Don't worry, we've got you covered.

Do you have someone on your gift list this year who has everything? You have scoured the malls, checked local gift stores and shopped around to no avail. What you need is inspiration for items that are unique and, as a bonus, help others as well. Here are some Patch suggestions. Locally, you can adopt any animal at Pilcher Park Nature Center in Joliet for $30. Animals can have more than one owner. According to PPNC superintendent Debbie Greene, the park pays more than $6,000 a year to feed the animals. A little further out, you can adopt animals at local zoos - Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo. Each has selections and information on its Web site. Internationally, the World Wildlife Foundation gives you many options. You can adopt a …

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Expert Explanations

Staying Organized in the Last Weeks before Christmas

Organizer Beth Randall offers the following tips for staying organized and saving your sanity.

Professional organizer Beth Randall is the owner of Joe Organizer in Plainfield. Ideally, she said, organizing for the holidays would have begun much earlier than right now. "My very first tip I would tell you is you need to start getting ready for the holidays right after Halloween," Randall told Channahon-Minooka Patch in an interview last year. "People sometimes wait until after Thanksgiving to start getting ready for Christmas, but that's not always the same amount of time." Thanksgiving came early this year. However, it is already eight days into December. But it's not too late to get and stay organized for the rest of the countdown. Randall offers the following tips on getting back on track for the holidays. "The more you wait the …

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Get a Holiday Photo of Your Pet, and Help a Good Cause

Joliet Township Animal Control will use the money to build an outdoor area for dogs; the event, also features low-cost deals on vaccines.

Ryan Kolodziej, who shoots pet of the week photos that run on Joliet Patch, will be snapping photos of your beloved pets for a great cause. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 15, Kolodziej will shoot photos of pets using his holiday backgrounds. The event is a fundraiser and the money raised will go towards the "dogs need sunshine campaign," which will allow Joliet Township Animal Control to build an outdoor area for the dogs to enjoy the sunshine. A $10 donation is suggested for the photos. In addition to holiday photos, the facility is hosting a low-cost vaccine clinic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the same day. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling (815) 257-0234. The clinic is being held by Wilcoxen Veterinary Services. Want …

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Shop Thrifty for the Holidays

Keep your gifts budget-friendly by shopping in area thrift and consignment stores.

There are only 42 days until Christmas. Yup, 42. And that is as of Nov. 12. So if you have a big family and you haven't started yet, you need to get going. If your budget is a consideration, we at Patch are ready to help. There are plenty of stores that offer gently-used or even brand-new items that you can get for a bargain. Here is all you need to know about the area stores. Channahon Address: 2108 Plainfield Road Phone number: 815-744-0202 Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. What you should know: The store stocks gently-used kids' clothes, baby supplies and toys. Address: 2372 Plainfield Road Phone number: 815-744-0291 Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday …

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Top 6 Classic Chicago Holiday Events

Looking to make the most out of the upcoming holiday season? These six events will keep you entertained and full of holiday cheer.

Looking for things to do for the holidays in Chicago? Whether you live in the city or the suburbs, remember these Christmas classics. What: This Museum of Science and Industry event began in 1942 with just one tree dedicated to the Allies of World War II. Today, the event includes a 45-foot tall Grand Tree with more than 30,000 lights and 1,000 ornaments adorning it. Additionally, the event will feature 50 smaller trees representing various cultures and holiday traditions.  Where: Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive When: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, to Sunday, Jan. 6 Cost: included with general admission of $15 per adult More info: Visit the MSI Chicago website What: The rink has brought together …

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