Where to Recycle Your Christmas Tree, Lights

The presents have been unwrapped and all the celebrations are done; what now?

It's a sad truth: Christmas is over. And while most of us like to enjoy our holiday lights and festively decorated trees until after the new year, the day is coming when it'll be time to say good-bye to the trappings of the most wonderful time of the year. So what do you do with that live Christmas tree? The Forest Preserve District of Will County will let you dispose of it at four different sites. “Recycle the Holiday Spirit” is a free Christmas tree recycling program offered by the Forest Preserve District of Will County. Real trees will be chipped and used at district preserves. Drop off your tree from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 27 through Jan. 7 at Sugar Creek Administration Center, 17540 W. Laraway Road, Joliet; Isle a la Cache Museum, 501…

• Photos (1)

Plainfield Lights Up the Holidays: Map Shows the Area's Best-Decorated Homes

We've updated our map of festively decorated Plainfield homes.

Map: Plainfield Homes Light Up the Holidays

You told us, and here they are -- beautifully decorated homes in Plainfield ready for you to check out during the 2012 holiday season.

We asked for a list of the best-decorated homes in Plainfield — and Patch readers responded. Click on the embedded map for a larger view or to see the list of can't-miss holiday displays. We know there are other great homes to see, so if you can think of one we missed, tell us about it in the comments and we'll add it to the map.  You can also vote to help Plainfield's Vrba family win Patch's Deck the House contest. If the home gets enough votes, it could win $100,000 for the Plainfield School District. The entries for Plainfield Park District's holiday lights contest have been added to the map. The winners are as follows: Want to know more about what's happening for the holidays in Plainfield? Check out our local events roundup. Got …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (1)

Plainfield: Show Us Your Lights

Share photos and videos of your holiday display on Patch, or just tell us where we can see great lights in Plainfield.

By now, you should know about Patch’s “Deck the House” contest, which launched this month and gives dedicated decorators the chance to win $100,000 for their local school district by entering photos or videos of their holiday light displays. (You can check out Plainfield entries and cast your vote by clicking here.) There’s also the Plainfield Park District’s outdoor holiday decorating contest — the deadline to enter that one is Dec. 12, and winners will be announced Dec. 19. But we can’t all be Clark Griswold. Maybe your holiday display is a little more low key — or maybe you’re just not the contest-entering type. That’s no reason to hide your light. We think your holiday display deserves to be shared. So we’re asking Plainfield holiday …

• Photos (7)

Want to See Christmas Lights? Use Our List to Start Your Local Journey

We know this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to amazing Christmas displays in our area so use the comment box below to us about other must-see sites.

WHAT: Lockport Street is a stunning sight thanks to the thousands of tiny white bulbs that adorn the trees in the downtown district. Don't forget to the check out Plymouth Congregational Church's illuminated creche scene. WHEN: Any night between now and New Year's. WHERE: Lockport Street between Route 59 and Fox River Street. MORE INFO: Call 815-436-7093 WHAT: When it comes to holiday decorating, it's hard to beat the Kuper family's 11,000 Christmas lights synchronized to music that you can hear via your car radio by dialing to 106.1 FM. WHEN: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. daily through New Year's WHERE: 12941 Greenfield Drive (in “The Ponds” subdivision, east of Route 59 between 127th and 135th streets) WHAT: Naperville Trolley & Tours will lead …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Cari Barcas

11:23 am on Sunday, December 11, 2011

A member of the Kintz family emailed me and wanted to let readers know about the impressive display at their house in Joliet. While it's not in our coverage area, it's very close to numerous Patch towns at 3111 Evergreen Drive in Joliet. Their 10,000-light display is synchronized to music broadcast on 88.5 FM from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 5 to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Thanks …   more ›