Last-Minute Cute, Relaxing and Delicious Local Gifts Under $100

If you are a last minute shopper, local shops got your back this weekend.

Christmas is two days away. But if you want to avoid long drives and crammed parking garages, our local stores will open throughout Monday afternoon to ensure the everyone in the community gets to open a special gift this season.  Here are our top picks, but make sure to browse our directory of businesses for more great gift ideas from Ladue-Frontenac shops.  Merry Christmas to one and all.

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A Special Holiday Message From Village Lutheran Church in Ladue

Pastor Kevin Golden and his staff expand on the true meaning of Christmas.

As Christians approach one of the holiest seasons of the year, Kevin Golden and parishers of Village Lutheran Church in Ladue have created a brief video to share the spirit of the season. Everyone at Christian Lutheran Church wishes a happy holidays and Merry Christmas to all, both near and far. Take a moment to visit Lutheran Church's listing in the Ladue-Frontenac Directory.

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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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Ladue Holiday Walk Kicks Off Shopping Season

Support 30 local businesses along Clayton Road with the annual Ladue Holiday Walk.

Christmas is right around the corner, and while many will head to big box stores, Ladue businesses have an event planned to attract residents to shop and dine locally. From 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 18, stores from 9650 to 9831 Clayton Road will host the annual Ladue Holiday Walk. The celebration will include a Santa Claus, the lighting of holiday lights and shops will have special offers for patrons. “I want to revive the tradition of the holiday as I remember it from my childhood,” said Melissa Blair, coordinator for the event, in a news release. “It was such a nice experience. It was so much more than a sale; it was a fun day with my family.” Participating stores are: Tell us in our comments: Do you prefer to shop locally for your…

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

The National 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. And before you think Patch is reporting on the holiday season, think again. 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…

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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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Food Basket Collection at Villa Duchesne Another Big Success

Thousands of pounds of non-perishable food items and materials for keeping warm go to families throughout metro St. Louis.

Administrator Krista Richardson of Villa Duchesne and her girls celebrated the end of the first semester by having another highly successful food basketball collection drive. Nearly 400 baskets were collected and distributed to a wide variety of charities, churches and non-profits throughout the region. In this stressed economy the requests for aid were greather than ever before. By 7:30 a.m. Wednesday cars were lined up, with donors dropping off huge baskets of food. They also donated blankets, gloves, sweaters, baby essentials and other items. A Christmas basket Mass was celebrated before the girls scattered for holiday break until the first week of January 2012. The Villa Duchesne basket food drive is among the most prominent metro St. …

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Moms Talk Q&A

Your kids get an unexpected start to the Christmas gift-giving season.

You and your spouse have painstakingly prepared the Christmas tree for the season long after your twin six-year-olds have gone to bed. You carefully wrap each present and place it under the tree. The electric train has been put out to light up the setting. Everything is perfect and in its place. Here's this week's question: Two days before Christmas, the twins alight from bed early in the morning and begin to unwrap and play with their new found gifts. What action do you take, if any, at the most joyous time of the year?

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Moms Talk Q&A

Moms Talk: Explain Holidays and Religion to Youngsters

How can St. Louis parents explain to their children the holidays celebrated by people of various faith backgrounds?

As the winter holidays approach, Patch wants to know how St. Louis parents will discuss the meaning behind these days with their children. So onto this week's question: If you are Jewish, how will you explain Christmas to your young children? And if you are Christian, how do you explain Hanukkah to your young children?

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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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