On Saturday we ventured out to Richardson Farm (60 miles Northwest of Chicago) to cut down our own Christmas Tree.  With a light dusting of snow on the ground, it seemed like the perfect day to find Clare’s first Christmas tree.

I have fond memories of wandering around row after row of trees as a kid trying to convince my mom, dad and sister that the one I chose was the perfect “one.”

Richardson Farm is a charming, family owned and operated farm North West of Chicago.  Once we arrived, we were greeted by one of the owners who explained the process.  We then grabbed our saw and jump on the flat bed wagon pulled by a giant tractor for a short ride out to the trees. They have all the regular varieties (Firs, Spruce, White Pine, etc.) to choose from.

My two year was in heaven.  She was darting between trees and running up and down the rows of trees singing and clapping.  After evaluating and inspecting a number of contenders, we finally found “our” perfect tree.  My daughters got a real kick out of watching my hubby cut it down (be prepared for a bit of mud on your knees and sap on your hands), and the three of us carried it to the edge of the field where we were picked up by a caroling tractor driver.  He had our entire flat bed full of families sining the 12 Days of Christmas.

Once you get back to the farm, they shake and bale the tree for you while you step inside for free hot cocoa and homemade donuts.  They sell wreaths and Christmas decorations too.

Although we loved the family/country experience Richardson Farm offered, I have to admit that I felt the trees were a bit small.  We usually get a HUGE tree, and most of them were around 6 feet or smaller.  In addition, the prices were a bit higher than Home Depot.

Here are the details:

• Where – Richardson Farm (9407 Richardson Road, Spring Grove, IL)
• Hours of Operation – November 27 – December 23 from 9am-6pm daily
• Cost – Scotch & White Pine $44, Firs and Spruce $52

Although we got a slightly smaller tree and drove a bit further than our standard trip to the Hope Depot, I give Richardson Farm 2 “Pine Cones” Up for family atmosphere and holiday fun!

Let me know if you and your family know of any other Christmas Tree Farms near Chicago.

To see our 2011 listing, click here.

Like all things in Chicago there are a LOT of options when it comes to visiting the BIG man in the red suit. So sit down with the kiddos, write out their Christmas wish list and head out to see Old St. Nick at one of these great events.

Plus, if you are looking for family friendly holiday activities and great places to find unique gifts, check out my other two holiday posts: “Looking for the perfect gift, check out Chicago’s Christmas markets and craft shows” &  ”Jingle all the way to these fun family friendly holiday events in Chicago“.

NEAR SOUTH SIDE

Historic Holidays at Prairie Avenue – Spend the afternoon at one of Chicago’s oldest houses making holiday crafts, playing Victorian parlor games, listening to stories and visiting with Santa Claus.  Light refreshments are included.

• When – December 12 from 1-4pm
• Where – Glessner House Museum (1800 S. Prairie Ave.)
• Cost – $10 per child, $2 per adult (reservations recommended)

Polar Express Family Holiday Event at the Shedd – Enjoy cups of cocoa before boarding the Polar Express 4-D Experience.  Kids can also have their pictures taken with Santa, decorate cookies, and enjoy treats.  Price includes access to the entire aquarium, a gift from Santa, and reserved seats for Fantasea.

• When – November 28, December 5, 19 & 22 from 8:30-10:30
• Where – Shedd Aquarium (1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.)
• Cost – $39.95 per person/$35.95 members

LOOP

Santa House – Old St. Nick’s Midwest satellite workshop in the heart of the Christkindlmarket.

• When – December 4-6, 11-13, & 18-20 from 11am-8pm
• Where – Daley Plaza (50 Washington St.)
• Cost - FREE

Breakfast with Santa at the Hancock Observatory

• When – December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24  from 11am-5pm
• Where – Expression by Lavazza Cafe (875 N. Michigan Ave.)
• Cost – $39 adults, $29 children  (Reservations required)

MACY’S SANTALAND – Check out the animated holiday windows, and then venture to the 5th floor for pictures with Santa.

• When – November 7 through December 24
• Where – Macy’s State Street (111 North State Street)
• Cost - FREE

Macy’s- Breakfast with Santa – A yummy breakfast, face painting, balloon artistry and visit from Santa.

• When – December 5, 6, 12 , 13, 19 & 20 at 9am
• Where – Macy’s State Street (111 North State Street)
• Cost – $16 adults, $12 children (reservations required)

SREETERVILLE

Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier – Santa will arrive by boat at the Grand Staircase (near the Ferris Wheel) on December 4th at 7pm. You can also visit with Santa Clause and Mrs. Clause at the Family Pavilion Stage through Christmas Eve.

• When – December 4th at 7pm, December 5-24 from 11am-7pm
• Where – Navy Pier  Family Pavilion Stage (600 E. Grand Ave.)
• Cost - FREE

LINCOLN PARK

Zoo Lights – Visit Santa in the Lion House during Zoo Lights.  In addition to visiting Santa, you can also enjoy a musical light show on the South Lawn, ice carving, create your own festive craft, sip hot cocoa and spiced wine, and ride the LPZOO Holiday Express Train.

• When – November 27-29, December 4-6, 11-13 & 18-31, and January 1-3 from 5-9pm
• Where – Lincoln Park Zoo (2200 N. Cannon Drive)
• Cost - FREE

LAKEVIEW

14th Annual Lakeview Breakfast with Santa – Complimentary pancake breakfast and goody bag, visit with Santa and have your face painted.

• When – December 5 from 9am-12pm
• Where – Church of St. Luke (1500 W. Belmont)
• Cost - FREE with one can or non-perishable foot item to donate to the Lakeview Food Pantry

Sheil Park Holiday Party – Visit with Santa, enjoy face painting, holiday crafts and entertainment.

• When – December 4 from 6:30-8pm
• Where – Sheil Park (3505 N. Southport)
• Cost - FREE

ROSCOE VILLAGE

Roscoe Village Winterfest – Event includes children’s activities, horse drawn sleigh rides, trolley and Santa.

• When – December 6 from 1-5pm
• Where – Roscoe Village (2058 W. Roscoe)
• Cost - FREE

IRVING PARK

Irish Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale – Visit Santa after a morning filled with shopping for traditional Irish crafts, live Irish music, yummy treats from the Jolly Holly Bake Shop, a one hour performance on myths of ancient Ireland.

• When – December 6 from 9am-3pm
• Where – Irish American Heritage Center (4626 N. Knox Ave.)
• Costs - FREE

Lunch with Santa – Food, performance, art project, face painting, games, free stocking, and photo with Santa.

• When – December 12 from 11am-1pm
• Where – Kilbourn Park and Organic Greenhouse (3501 N. Kilbourn Ave)
• Cost – $10

LOGAN SQUARE

Hot Cocoa with Mr. & Mrs. Claus

• When – December 11 from 11am-2pm
• Where – Palmer Park (201 E. 111th St.)
• Cost – $5 Cocoa, $2 photo with Santa

Brunch with Santa – Crafts, games, cookie decorating and a visit with Santa

• When – December 5 from 1-5pm
• Where – St. Sylvester School (3027 W. Palmer Ave.)
• Cost – Admission is free, food & baked goods for sale (proceeds benefit the school)

FURTHER AFIELD

Breakfast with Santa at the Morton Arboretum

• When – December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 from 9:30-11am
• Where – Morton Arboretum’s Ginkgo Restaurant (4100 Illinois Route 53)
• Suburb – Lisle
• Cost – Adult $28, Children $24 (reservations required)

Happy Holiday Railway – Embark on a magical train ride through holiday lights and a visit with Santa and his elves.

• When – December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 (Sat. trips are on the hour 2pm-7pm, Sun. trips are on the hour from 1pm-6pm)
• Where – Illinois Railway Museum (7000 Olson Road)
• Suburb – Union
• Cost – $12 per ticket (visit the site to purchase tickets)

CHICAGO BOTANICAL GARDEN

Breakfast with Santa at the Chicago Botanical Garden – Tickets include parking, buffet breakfast, holiday treats, visit with Santa and entry into the Wonderland Express and ice skating.

• When – December 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 from 8:30-10:30am
• Where – Chicago Botanical Garden (1000 Lake Cook Road)
• Suburb – Glencoe
• Cost – $26 adults, $20 children (visit the site to purchase tickets)

Christmas Supper with Santa – Tickets include parking, buffet dinner, holiday treats, visit with Santa and entry into Wonderland Express and ice skating.

• When – December 21 & 22 from 6:30-8:30pm
• Where – Chicago Botanical Garden (1000 Lake Cook Road)
• Suburb – Glencoe
• Cost – $38 adults, $32

Hot Chocolate With Mrs. Claus – Tickets include hot chocolate with Mrs. Clause, holiday treats and access to the Wonderland Express.

• When – December 21 and 22 at 11am and 2 pm
• Where – Chicago Botanical Garden (1000 Lake Cook Road)
• Suburb – Glencoe
• Cost – $15

BROOKFIELD ZOO

Holiday Magic – Visit Santa in the Candy Cane Corner and stroll the zoo’s walk ways which are lit up by nearly one million twinkling lights.  Your family can also watch ice-carving demonstrations, enjoy live music, magicians and the new Wild LIghts Spectacular at Roosevelt Fountain.

• When – December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20 from 4pm-9pm
• Where – Brookfield Zoo (8400 31st Street)
• Suburb – Brookfield
• Cost – Included with regular admission – $12 adults, $8 children (+$8 parking)

Breakfast with Santa – Breakfast includes buffet, holiday music, costumed characters, a gift from Santa and of course a family photo with Santa.

• When – December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20 at 9 and 11am
• Where – Brookfield Zoo (8400 31st Street)
• Suburb – Brookfield
• Cost – $36 adults, $24.50 children (+$8 parking) – Advance tickets recommended

Brunch with Santa- Brunch includes extensive champagne brunch buffet, holiday music, costumed characters, a gift from Santa and of course a family photo with Santa.

• When – December 6, 13 & 20 at 11am and 1:30pm
• Where – Brookfield Zoo (8400 31st Street)
• Suburb – Brookfield
• Cost – $47 adults, $33 children (+$8 parking) – Advance tickets recommended

Family Holidate! Santa Dinner, Movie & You at the Zoo – Tickets include dinner buffet, photos with Santa, ornament decorating and a holiday movie.

• When – December 12 & 19 Santa photos at 4pm, dinner at 5pm, movie at 6:30pm
• Where – Brookfield Zoo (8400 31st Street)
• Suburb – Brookfield
• Cost – $50 adults, $35 children (+$8 parking) – Advance tickets recommended

Breakfast with Santa at Lambs Farm – Enjoy brunch in the Country Inn Restaurant with Santa Claus.  After brunch, kids will enjoy crafts, activities and a visit with Santa.

• When – December 12, 13, 19 & 20
• Where – Country Inn Restaurant at Lambs Farm (14245 W. Rockland Rd.)
• Suburb – Libertyville
• Cost – $14.95 (reservations required)

Christmas on the Farm – Behold a Victorian Christmas and learn the origins of several holiday traditions.  Visit with an old-fashioned Santa and take your picture in a sleigh.  Then you can make a cornucopia decoration and enjoy a cup of cocoa and carolling.

• When – December 12 from 10am-4pm
• Where – Kline Creek Farm (1N600 County Farm Rd.)
• Suburb – West Chicago
• Cost - FREE

Oak Brook Macy’s Breakfast with Santa – A yummy breakfast, face painting, balloon artistry and visit from Santa.

• When – December 5, 6, 12 & 13 at 9am
• Where – Market Place at the Macy’s Oakbrook (1 Oak Brook Center)
• Suburb – Oak Brook
• Cost – $16 adults, $12 children (reservations required)

OLD ORCHARD

Santa Breakfast – Tell Santa your wish list and enjoy a complimentary breakfast.

• When – November 28 at 9am
• Where – Old Orchard
• Suburb – Skokie
• Cost – FREE (Limited to the first 200 people to RSVP at the Westfield Concierge)

Mrs. Claus Storytime – Mrs. Clause will read holiday stories and kids can decorate cookies.

• When – December 4 10am
• Where – Old Orchard Food Court
• Suburb – Skokie
• Cost - FREE

Santa Visits – Visit with Santa, get a complimentary Polaroid and enjoy Holiday stories and crafts.

• When – December 5 from 11:30am-12:30pm
• Where – Old Orchard Food Court
• Suburb – Skokie
• Cost – FREE

Nordstrom Santa Breakfast at Old Orchard

• When – December 14 from 9-11am
• Where – Norstrom’s Cafe at Old Orchard
• Suburb – Skokie
• Cost – $14 (reservations required)

Macy’s – Breakfast with Santa – A yummy breakfast, face painting, balloon artistry and visit from Santa.

• When – December 5, 6, 12 & 13 at 9am
• Where – Macy’s Old Orchard (1 Old Orchard Shopping Center)
• Suburb -Skokie
• Cost – $16 adults, $12 children (reservations required)