Parents Talk

Parents Talk: What Are Your Holiday Traditions?

Share your family's traditions with us.

We all remember some holiday traditions from when we were kids.  When I was a kid, one of my favorites was arguing with my brothers about who got to hang the beloved ornament on the tree. The "Mouse House," as we called it, was special because inside a mushroom was a family of mice, each doing their own thing. We would stick a lightbulb inside the house from a string of lights so you could see what was going on inside. I know, I know, that sounds pretty lame. But it's just one of those things that sticks with me. With all that's going on in the world right now, sometimes it's nice to take a break and think about memories that are simple and happy. We want to know: What are those traditions that just "stick with you?"  Did your Grandma make…

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Enjoy an Eco-friendly Holiday Season

Reduce, reuse and recycle to make your holidays even greener.

As we deck the halls this holiday season, the overabundance of wrapping paper, plastic packaging and miscellaneous bits and pieces can be overwhelming. All of this will soon result in overflowing trash cans and more crowded landfills. According to the Ecology Center, Americans throw away an additional five million tons of trash—25 percent more than usual—between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. How can we reduce our waste while still enjoying the season? Let’s look at ways to make your holidays more eco-friendly. Decorations Dina Manzo from HGTV sets up an edible tree on her back deck. The tree is festooned with ornaments made from apple slices, covered in peanut butter and sprinkled with birdseed, pretzels, and gingerbread men. Strings of…

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Blackstone Manor Wins Window Decorating Contest

Hopkins Carpet One is this year’s runner-up.

The Hopkins Business and Civic Association has named Blackstone Manor Clock Repair as the winner of its annual window-decorating contest. Each year, the organization invites local businesses to decorate for the community’s Old Fashioned Christmas celebration, which took place Thursday night. Five businesses total decorated. Blackstone Manor’s display featured a nativity scene backed by a Christmas tree. Hopkins Carpet One was named second place. In addition, the following businesses also participated: Organizers are counting the event a big success. More than 300 people attended, and Santa handed out more than 130 candy canes. Click here to see photos of the event and to share your own.   Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign …

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Hopkins Celebrates an Old Fashioned Christmas

Share your photos from Thursday’s event with your neighbors.

The Holiday spirit visited Hopkins on Thursday as residents celebrated an Old Fashioned Christmas. Visitors took carriage rides with Santa, listened to carolers, voted on their favorite gingerbread houses created by city employees and petted real reindeer. Did you stop by the downtown to enjoy the festivities? Share your photos with your neighbors in the gallery above. To add your images, click on the "Upload Photos and Videos" button under the photo above. Select the photos you want and then type in a caption.   Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our free daily newsletter | Check out Patch’s Pinterest boards  

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Celebrate an Old Fashioned Christmas in Hopkins Thursday

The community has an evening full of caroling, cider and sleigh rides planned.

Christmas festivities continue Thursday with An Old Fashioned Holiday in Hopkins. The event, which runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 6, fills Hopkins’ downtown with a holiday atmosphere. Santa arrives at the Hopkins Health and Wellness Center at 5 p.m. Visitors can continue to meet him for pictures and sleigh rides at the Eighth Avenue business. Downtown visitors can also get photos taken with Santa’s reindeer at the Clock Tower. Raspberry Royalty will be at the Wellness Center to greet visitors. There will be a gingerbread house contest and holiday concert at Albert Pike Lodge. And strolling carolers will serenade visitors throughout the downtown. Warm beverages will also be available to ward off the chill. And be sure to check out the …

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VIDEO: Hopkins Celebrates Christmas Tree Lighting

Residents kicked off the holiday season with carols, Santa and food from the Hopkins Elks.

A crowd filled with the holiday spirit braved Friday’s cold to celebrate Hopkins’ 28th-annual Christmas tree lighting in Downtown Park. The crowd listened to Christmas carols led by Phillip Brown and the Hopkins High School Choral and Alumni Group then counted down to the tree lighting. This year’s tree sported a yellow ribbon at its top in honor of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon group that west metro communities are launching to help service members and their families. Hopkins police drove Santa Claus to the celebration, where he handed out candy canes to boy and girls young and old. After the tree was lit, everyone headed to the Elks Lodge for hot dogs. Click on the images below the video to see photos taken by Butch Johnson. Festivities …

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Giving Back This Holiday Season

Are you looking for an organization to help out this season?

As we gather together with family and friends this holiday season to give thanks, share memories and create priceless memories, it is also a great reminder of how much we have. And the perfect opportunity to give back.  Whether you are looking to give back to an organization that has helped you or make a difference to someone who may have less than you, now is the time of the year to take a step back and reflect on the ways you can share your good fortune with others. Take a look around you at the organizations that are near and dear to your heart and help out. Give Blood According to the American Red Cross, the need for blood is constant. Every two seconds, someone in the United States need blood, and more than 44,000 blood donations are …

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Editor's Notebook

Becoming Santa

Patch Editor James Warden got a shot at playing Santa during the Hopkins Activity Center’s Thanksgiving Celebration.

I’m not a hugger. But Santa is. I’m not someone who can make small talk with dozens of strangers. I’m not comfortable being the center of attention. But Santa is. So when Hopkins Activity Center Receptionist Sharon Nelson waved me into the gym, I chimed my bell and gave the crowd a hearty, “Ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas!” I’d been invited to be Santa for the Activity Center’s annual Thanksgiving Celebration on Tuesday. Apparently, it’s not that easy to find someone willing to play the part. Still, I was thrilled—if a little nervous. I even practiced my “ho-ho-ho” while my wife was at work. There are a lot of niggling logistical details you don’t really think of until you’re the one in the velvet suit—things like what to wear underneath. Do I …

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