Downers Grove Ushers in Holidays with Annual Gingerbread Festival

The Downers Grove Downtown Management Corporation is offering activities, events Nov. 23-25 as part of the second annual Gingerbread Festival and Small Business Saturday.

It’s coming: Black Friday, the day big-box stores count on to bring in customers in droves and help them end the year with a profit. But what about the little guy? Mom and pop businesses will get their chance to shine on Small Business Saturday, which is on Nov. 24. The date coincides with the Downers Grove Downtown Management Corporation’s second annual Candlelight Christmas, a family friendly event that offers holiday-themed fun for the kids, plus plenty of opportunities for grown-ups to support local businesses. The festival starts Friday and runs through Sunday in downtown Downers Grove. Here’s a roundup of events. The Downers Grove holiday tree will feature more than 1,000 ornaments made by local children. Cookies and cider will be …

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Support Downers Grove Businesses—25 Local Companies to 'Like' on Facebook

Check out some of the top Downers Grove-centric pages on Facebook.

Support Downers Grove Businesses—25 Local Companies to 'Like' on Facebook

Check out some of the top Downers Grove-centric pages on Facebook.

Let's face it — we live in a digital age. These days, most of us have an online presence, and one way we keep in touch with friends and family is through Facebook. But Facebook isn't all about being social. You can stay up-to-date on what Downers Grove businesses are doing — and sometimes snag great deals and special Facebook-only discounts — by making sure you're following your favorites. In no particular order, here are 25 of the best local business Facebook pages. If you own a business and you don't see it here, or you want to give your favorite local shops and restaurants a shout-out, let us know in the comments and we'll add them to the list: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  There are plenty of ways to keep up on Downers Grove news:

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Jason McSweeney

11:13 am on Sunday, January 27, 2013

Does your company need creative and cost-effective print, web and promotional materials? https://www.facebook.com/dream2ink dream ink - 650 Ogden Ave. #1, Downers Grove, IL 60515   more ›

Christmas Tree Farms Lose Young Trees to 2012 Drought

The drought and heat of 2012 killed younger Christmas trees, but those you'll want to buy around Downers Grove are ready for purchase.

Young Christmas trees -- those planted this spring or last year -- were most affected by the drought and heat of 2012.  Charles Ide, who runs Ide Christmas Tree Farm in Downers Grove along Plainfield Road, told the Chicago Tribune every one of the several thousand trees he planted this year and last died. It's the worst damage in the 55 years he's run the farm, the Tribune reported.  But when you go to purchase your Christmas tree, you won't see a shortage. Christmas trees take about a decade to grow, and the older trees weathered the harsh conditions the best because they have a more extensive root system to reach moisture, according to the Tribune.  David Daniken, past president of the Illinois Christmas Tree Farm Association, told the …

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How Early is Too Early for Christmas Shopping?

It used to be Black Friday was for the earliest of early shoppers. Not anymore. Look around. The stores are ready now.

Look around the Chicago area and you'll see all the signs: The early birds no longer wait until Black Friday to do their Christmas shopping. This year, Black Friday is on Nov. 23, but big retailers and mail-order companies are starting well in advance. Amazon, for example, is beginning its Black Friday on Nov. 14. Crazy or crazy smart? Just how early is too early to shop for Christmas 2012 gifts? Take our poll.

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