Deck Your House and Win $100K for St. Michael Schools

Get out the lights and holly. Your decorating could net $100,000 to our schools.

One thing a warm winter (so far) has meant for St. Michael-Albertville - lots of holiday light displays.  You can turn that into cash for your local school district. Patch recently launched its "Deck The House" contest, a nationwide search for the most dazzling displays of the season. Between Dec. 8 and Dec. 26, residents of STMA are encouraged to post photos and videos of their “decked out” houses to our site as part of a national contest that could net St. Michael-Albertville schools $100,000. There will be more than 800 local winners from local Patch sites, who will represent their Patch communities in the national contest. Judges will then choose 24 finalists, who will get up to $500 toward their December electric bills. From Dec. 30 …

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Dreaming of a Green Christmas

Minnesota Christmas-tree growers say their crop offers numerous economic and environmental advantages over artificial trees.

There’s more to love about a real Christmas tree than the pretty ornaments. Tree-growers in Minnesota cite a number of factors—both environmental and economic—that make their products preferable to their artificial competition. “Bringing a real Christmas tree into the home is a tradition that goes back centuries. The tree's pleasant aroma gives an instant reminder that Christmas is in the air,” says the Rum River and Hampton Hills Tree Farms website at CutYourOwn.com. Living trees, the site notes, are a renewable, recyclable resource: “Artificial trees, on the other hand, average a lifespan of only six years; then [they] are tossed in a landfill, where they lie in a composed state for centuries.” Adds Krueger’s Christmas Trees of Lake Elmo…

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Timothy Larsen

1:08 am on Sunday, December 18, 2011

Real tree for us every year. We meet up with some friends at a local tree farm every year on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. We cut down our trees, then retreat to their house for food and games. It makes for a wonderful start to the Christmas season.   more ›

Holiday Happenings: Santa Claus is Coming to Town

You can share a slice of pizza or slap on some skates and join Santa this weekend, as the Jolly Old Elf makes a couple of appearances here.

Thursday, Dec. 8 • St. Michael-Albertville Middle School East will have its holiday choir concert for grades five six, seven and eight at 6 p.m. (grades five and 6) and 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Middle School West auditorium. Admission is free. •The boys' basketball team hosts Section 8-4A foe St. Cloud Tech. Tip is 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 • Lorie Line brings her musical talents back to the St. Michael-Albertville Performing Arts Center – located in the STMA High School – for a one-night-only performance. Show time is 7:30 p.m. • Santa Claus is comin’ to town! Come and meet Santa at the St. Michael Liberty Restaurant and Bar, the new home of the American Legion, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. There will be a collection for the Hanover Food …

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Get Out: A Holiday Lights Map for St. Michael, Albertville Area

The lights are out in the St. Michael Area. We'll get you started on a tour of the town. Feel free to add your own ideas here!

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St. Michael, Albertville Shoppers Seek the Hot Toys of 2011

The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and here's a guide to some of the top toys of 2011.

Remember those years that brought out lines of shoppers trying to purchase a Cabbage Patch Kid or parents who were frantically trying to snag a Tickle Me Elmo for under the tree? While there doesn't seem to that one must-have, blockbuster toy this year, top toy sellers have a few they think might be in kids' letters to Santa. Among some of the hot sellers, according to Maple Grove Creative Kidstuff marketing director Happi Olson,  are: Closer to home, two St. Michael-Albertville locations have a good selection of toys.  Sassy Seconds has a wide selection of secondhand toys that are in very good shape and sell for a reduced price over new items. They also have brand new, in-the-box toys from brands like Melissa and Doug (great puzzles), …

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Giving Back: Twin Cities Charities Need Help This Holiday Season

There is usually a rush in volunteers available for local charities at the end of the year. However, this year, with the number of people in need on the rise, more volunteers are needed. Here's how you can help.

With the continued hardships prompted by a stubborn economic downturn, non-profit organizations and charities throughout the Twin Cities region are getting ready to assist thousands of families with food, gifts and various other necessities for the holidays. Volunteering to help at a food shelf, homeless shelter, nursing home, hospital or other non-profit organization can have a major impact on your neighbors, as well as making the holiday more significant for those doing the volunteering. No matter what your passion, concern or interest may be, there’s likely to be an organization that could use your unique talents and time–during the season and after. Volunteermatch.org, for instance, can connect you with countless local volunteering …

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Frugal Finds: Gift Giving for St. Michael-Albertville Kids

Kids love giving gifts almost as much as they like receiving. Here's some ideas to help your kids give good gifts this Christmas.

There's just something about getting the wrapping paper out that turns my kids into big givers. All of a sudden random household objects, items found in the Goodwill pile and even an occasional re-gift are wrapped up and presented to various people in our family. While it is truly the thought that counts, it's also fun to let kids get in on some gift giving as well. Here are  some ideas to frugally let your kids be involved in gift giving this year: 1. Make something. All of us love handmade gifts from kids. Whether it's the cardstock angel tucked in the tree with one eye glued on and the other one missing, we'll love it forever. 2. Re-use & Recycle. Do a swap with friends, we all have little gift-y things tucked away that might make …

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O Christmas Tree: Real or Fake That is St. Michael's Question

Are you going "fake" or real with your tree? If you choose real, here are some tips you probably don't want to miss.

For a long time, my husband and I swore by the fake Christmas tree. It was easy, came in a box and we could put it up and take it down whenever we wanted. Last year we cut down our first real tree and we’ll never look back now. Not only did we love going and cutting our tree down together but we really enjoyed the look, the smell and the feel of a real tree. Real trees aren’t for everyone. Some have allergies or asthma that prevents them from going the natural route. Others just prefer a fake tree. If you do decide to get a real tree fresh-cut Christmas tree, here are some tips for caring for and decorating: Fresh Cut–Make sure when you purchase your tree from a tree lot that a fresh cut is made on the bottom, and then make sure you get …

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