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National Short Film Day was created to honour and celebrate the birth of “film.”  Did you know that on this day in 1895, The Lumiere Brothers premiered their collection of short films in front of a public audience for the very first time.  33 guests joined Auguste and Louis at the Grand Cafe in Paris, France, to view the first ever series of 10 short films.Although each film was only about 50 seconds long, each of them truly captivated the audience since there had never been anything like it before. In fact, their first projector was called the  “Cinematographe” (based off of the Kinetoscope concept) and is where we derived the word “cinema!”  The first ever motion picture captured by the brothers was titled “Workers Leaving the Lumiere Factory” and is the earliest known video recording.  Yes, that’s right, you have the Lumiere Brothers to thank for all of your favourite car, racing, and automotive blockbusters! The brothers captured their movies using their Lumiere apparatus: a single camera used for photography and projecting moving images at just 16 frames per second.  They used this device to capture daily life in France, creating more than 40 films in 1896 alone!  In addition, they helped create the first newsreels and documentaries. They even sent a crew of cameramen across the globe to capture additional footage as well as show their work to new audiences!  One might be able to call them the great great great grandfathers of Youtube and TikTok, if you will. We’ve come a long way since then from short films to major motion pictures and blockbuster films, and the industry continues to grow by leaps and bounds.  We can even watch movies on the road in our car now!  Pretty cool, if we may say so. If you’re craving more Short Film content, we recommend browsing streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. Each of these services is host to a litany of short films in multiple genres!  In addition, you can also find incredible content for free on sites like YouTube or Vimeo, and even TikTok! Check out our picks for some great short films and film festivals: Chicago International REEL Short Film Festival Chicago Comedy Film Festival Illinois International Film Festival The MKE Short Film Festival The PBS Short Film Festival The Midwest Indie Film Fest McHenry Fall Film Fest Short Films to Stream Right Now:

Winter is here, and the weather outside is about to get a little frightful.  That means saying goodbye for now to the weekend joy rides and long trips “on the road.” Instead, it’s time to hunker down with some exciting books about cars and automotive history to live vicariously. more From cool pictorial retrospectives, kids books and easy readers, and lots of other fabulous vehicle themed pop culture reading material, we’ve got something for everyone to share.  Check it out on today’s blog and let’s get cozy for some chilly weather reads! Cool Cars By Quentin Wilson Chrysler’s Turbine Car: The Rise and Fall of Detroit’s Coolest Creation By Steve Lehto How Cars Work By Tom Newton Built for Speed: The World’s Fastest Cars By Publications International LTD Classic Cars: The Definitive Visual History By DK Books New Driver’s Guide To Things Not To Crash Into By Lea Dodykavis My Dad Had That Car: A Nostalgic Look At the American Automobile By Tad Burness A Brief History of Motion By Tom Standage Bullitt: The Cars and People Behind Steve McQueen By Matt Stone Making Hyundai, Remaking Seoul By Lee Myung-bak Wheels for the World By Douglas G Brinkley A Man and His Car: Iconic Stories of Cars & Men Who Love Them By Matt Hranek Of Metal and Earth By Jennifer M. Lane Antique Cars and Vehicles By James Homans Eat My Dust! Henry Ford’s First Race By Monica Kulling Monster Trucks By Susan E. Goodman Elbow Grease: Teamwork Wins By John Cena Have we left your favourite tome off the list? We’d love your input, so don’t be shy!  Let us know your favourite car related literature in a comment, and we may just feature it in an upcoming blog post.

Maybe you don’t celebrate Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa but want to get into the holiday spirit nonetheless?  Well, there’s good news, because today is Festivus, the celebration for the rest of us!   The inventive holiday first appeared in 1997 on the hit TV show Seinfeld. Key components to the unique and wacky holiday include the Festivus dinner feast, the aluminum Festivus pole, “Airing of Grievances” and “Feats of Strength.”  This cheeky pseudo-holiday from TV has evolved from clever gag to an ever growing pop culture seasonal celebration! more Looking to throw an exciting Festivus event of your own?  We’re here to help with our fun guide!  So invite your friends to road trip for a visit and enjoy a festivus feast together. (image from Seinfeld TV series) How to Celebrate Festivus At Home Acquire a Festivus Pole and decorate: It’s best to keep it as non-commercial as possible, and thus upcycling is preferred.  The pole itself should remain undecorated, but you should place it in a central viewing area. Look around your home and find an aluminum pole of any size or length.  According to the holiday’s founder, one famed Frank Cosntanza, it cannot be made of any other material. Prepare the Festivus meal and call guests to the table: The traditional Festivus meal consists of your choice of meat served on a bed of lettuce - Turkey, Ham, Lamb Chops, or Beef Stew - or the traditional meatloaf on lettuce.   Place the dinner on the table and invite all of your guests to sit down to proceed in the first celebration. Airing of Grievances: Just before serving the meal, place a clock inside of a bag and nail it to the wall (don’t ask, just do.)  Prior to the meal in lieu of prayer during religious holidays, the Festivus tradition instructs us to go around the table and tell the others how they have disappointed you in the past year.  Once you’ve cleared the air and everyone’s said their peace, it’s time to dig in. Feats of Strength: After the meal it’s time to commence the final Festivus tradition.  The “Feats of Strength” tests are immediately following the Festivus feast (although some exuberant folks do start earlier as the meal winds down.)  The rules are as follows:  The head of the household chooses one Festivus guest, and challenges them to a wrestling match and test of strength.  The head of household must be pinned by other family members, the honor of which is given to someone seated at the main table.  Festivities do not end until the host is pinned, so choose wisely! Foods of Festivus Salted Soft Pretzels Turkey Chili, Crab Bisque, or Mulligatawny Soup Lettuce Wedge Salad with Large Cherry Tomatoes, and thick Carrot ribbons with your favourite choice dressing. Beef-a-Roni from a can, or a homemade Beefaroni Dupe Chocolate Babka and Cinnamon Babka Black and White Cookies Easy, No-Fuss Turkey Lettuce Wrapped Meatloaf Burgers Grilled Beef Lettuce Wraps Wear Your Finest Festivus Sweater Festivus For the Rest of Us Aluminum Pole Sweater Seinfeld Aesthetic Festivus Sweater Festivus Pole and Feats of Strength Ugly Sweatshirt Festivus Ugly Sweater Sweatshirt with Frank

Huzzah, winter break is here!  We’re ready to kick back, relax, and celebrate the holiday season with our favourite people.  And what better way to do just that, than with a plethora of fun destinations to check out during your time off!  Whether you’re enjoying these activities with family or friends, we know you’re going to round out 2021 on a high note. more Just because the winter weather is here doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the great outdoors and hiking trails in the area.  Hang up those hiking boots and swap them out for some snowshoes and skis!  On less than a tank of gas you’ll be on your way to winter wonderland bliss.  Feeling the crunch of the fresh snow under your feet, enjoying the brisk fresh air and that “it’s going to snow any moment now” scent on the breeze.  There’s nothing else quite like it! Local Places for Snowshoeing, Sledding, and Cross Country Skiing Lyons Woods Forest Preserve in Waukegan, IL Captain Daniels Wright Woods in Mettawa IL Adler Park in Libertyville, IL INdependence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, IL Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville, IL Lakewood Winter Sports Area in Wauconda, IL Moraine Hills State Park in McHenry, IL Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, IL Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake Forest, IL Captain DAniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve in Mettawa, IL Prairieview Education Center in Crystal Lake, IL Edward L Ryerson Conservation Area in Deerfield, IL Chiwaukee Prairie in Pleasant Prairie, WI Kenosha Silver Lake County Park in Salem, WI Richard Bong State Recreation Area in Kansasville, WI Parkside Cross-Country Ski Trail System in Kenosha, WI For those with a need for speed, you can swap your street racing energy for a set of downhill skis.  Forget the gravel flying beneath your spinning wheels on the road, and get ready for clouds of fresh powder and blustery swirls of snow.  We’ve got the best picks in the area for mountain downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing and more.  Check out our picks for best Ski and Snowsports Areas & Resorts worth the road trip! Best Downhill Skiing and Winter Sports Destinations Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports in Lisle, IL Snowstar in Andalusia, IL Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove, IL Villa Olivia in Bartlett, IL Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena, IL Gander Mountain in Antioch, IL Sagawau Environmental Learning Center in Lemont, IL Wilmot Mountain Ski Resort in Wilmot, WI Alpine Valley Resort in Elkhorn, WI Little Switzerland in Slinger, WI Fox Hill Ski Area in West Bend, WI The Mountain Top Ski and Adventure Center at Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, WI Sunburst Ski Area in Kewaskum, WI Nutt Hill in Plymouth, WI Sundown Mountain Resort in Dubuque, IA Pines Family Ski Area in Valparaiso, IN If you’re not much for nature or winter sports, that doesn’t mean you’ll be left out in the cold for winter break fun!  You can head into the city for a night out on the town, enjoy some winter festivities like Ice Skating or Sledding, and other nifty ideas.  So check out our list for non-sports related winter destinations, and some unconventional holiday celebrations.  Start a new tradition with your loved ones this year, and live life to the fullest! Wintertime Fun for Everyone The Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge NYD Pajama Brunch at Side Lot Brewery New Years Day Musical Yoga Event Dungeons & Dragons: Waterdeep Adventures Virtual Event for Grades 5-12 Frosty Fest at the Gurnee Park District Holiday Adventures Zoo 4 U at Belvidere Recreation Center Holiday Adventures Space Station at Belvidere Recreation Center Holiday Adventures New Years Eve Eve at Belvidere Recreation Center Holiday Adventures Awesome Arts at Belvidere Recreation Center Grandpa’s Ho-Ho Holiday Hideaway at Lindy’s Landing Beach Club Sleigh Rides and Activities at Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago Royal Carriage Rentals in Genoa, IL Field Stone Farm Carriage & Pony in Lake Geneva WI Alpine Biergarten at Buffalo Creek Brewing Co. Midway Plaisance Ice Rink in Chicago, IL Peninsula Sky Rink in Chicago, IL Indoor Gardens at Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago, IL Lincoln Park ZooLights Festival in Chicago, IL The Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park in Chicago, IL Curling at the Gwen Hotel in Chicago, IL Curling at the Kaiser Tiger in Chicago, IL Sledding at Soldier Field Sledding Hill in Chicago, IL Millennium Park in Chicago, IL The Lakefront Trail in Chicago, IL Looking to spend the break with quiet respite instead of being constantly on the move?  You’ll find all the rest and repose you’re craving on our Midwest Winter Getaways list.  We’ve found everything from charming cottages to log cabin retreats, so no matter your flavor or passion, you’ll have a blissful stay. Quiet Weekend Getaways Kishauwau Cabins in Tonica Goldmoor Inn in Galena Copperstone Inn at Orchard Ridge Farms Starved Rock Cabins in Oglesby White Pines Inn at Mount Morris Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort Galena Cellars in Galena Chicago Athletic Association Hotel in Chicago Heartland Lodge in Nebo Big Sky Cabins in Alto Pass Nauvoo Log Cabins in Nauvoo Haagen Haus in Alton Timber Ridge Outpost in Karbers Ridge Pere Marquette Lodge in Grafton Peace of Earth Lodge in Rushville Dragonfly Bed and Breakfast in Antioch Christmas House Bed and Breakfast in Racine, WI Manor on the Mile in Franksville, WI Lilac Cottage in Bowen Park Augustus Chetlain Home and Log Cabin Guest Houses in Galena Lombard Log Cabin in Four Seasons Park If you prefer the staycation route, there’s also lots of fun things to do right here in Waukegan! Check out our many local restaurants, cafes, and small businesses.  And let us know if you have a recommendation for a nearby activity, recommended accommodations for cozy winter getaways, and we may just feature it in an upcoming post!

What is the Winter Solstice? The Winter Solstice is on Tuesday December 21st at 10:59 EST in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the shortest day and longest night of 2021. It has many names around the globe including Midwinter, Yule, Longest Night, and Jol.  Learn more about different global solstice celebrations here! Celebrate with your loved ones and our list of festive Yuletime traditions on today’s blog. Did you know: The word Solstice is based in Latin, combining the word for sun (sol) and word for standing (stit) as in “the sun stands still.” Ancient Romans celebrated the agricultural god of Saturn at the Midwinter Festival of Saturnalia. The days get colder following the Winter Solstice, contrary to the fact that the days get longer and it stays lighter each day. December 25th is the Yuletide celebration, inspired by the Sun Day, where people would burn a tree to celebrate the return of the sun and longer days. The Winter Solstice in China is celebrated as the Dongzhi Festival, a lucky day when the sun is more active, the past is gone, and hope is on the horizon.  Traditional foods consumed are dumplings or glutinous rice balls. Celebrate The Winter Solstice with These Winter Traditions Create a Yule Altar - A Yule Altar is created to welcome the return of the sun and the lengthening of the days. To create one, you’ll need golden, silver, or yellow candles to symbolize the sun.  Gather items that represent the winter season: pinecones, evergreen branches, pieces of cedarwood.  You’ll want to burn some sage or sweetgrass to cleanse the altar with positive intentions. Burn a Yule Log in the Fireplace or a Fire Pit - Historically, Nordic tradition was to burn a whole tree across 12 days leading up to Christmas.  Since that’s not exactly sanctioned by apartment management or condo associations (and definitely not feasible for modern hearths) the Yule Log is a popular alternative.  If you don’t have a woodburning stove/fireplace in your home, you can always cue up the digital version on Netflix (in regular or birchwood options!)  Don’t have a Netflix account? You can always bake and serve a Yule Log cake instead. Enjoy some Yuletide “wassail” cocktails! Wassail is a festive warm drink with mulled spices consisting of: 2qts apple cider, 1.5 cups of orange juice, ¾ cup pineapple juice, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.  You can also add a splash of Rum or Whisky if you wish! Take Some Time to Meditate - Since this is the longest night of the year, set aside some time to meditate and so some soul searching. Reflect on the quiet and peace that blanket the world on snowy evenings.  Think about your goals for the upcoming year, and how you can grow as a person and focus on propelling yourself forward towards your goals.  Reminisce about the past year, and what you would like to accomplish in the new year as the world begins to thaw and usher in Spring.  Focus on being present and how you can connect with your peers, loved ones, and yourself within your own space. Exchange Nature-Related Gifts with Loved Ones - Yule is a time to celebrate the changing of the seasons as the days grow in length and nights get shorter. Get your loved ones gifts that remind them about the beauty of the world around them!  Focus on things made from natural elements, plants for their home, bulbs or seeds to be planted in spring, or perhaps some books about nature or a documentary celebrating Earth!  Make some Orange Pomanders with your family.  Take small, firm oranges and whole cloves to create this craft.  You may use a sharp knife or citrus zester to create patterns on the orange skin (save the peel for your wassail or baking!)  Poke the cloves into the orange in pretty patterns (you can use a toothpick or chopstick to pre-make the holes for little ones!.)  They make a gorgeous holiday gathering centerpiece, or temporary ornament for live Christmas trees. Read a Wintry Theme Book with Family and Friends - You can try “The Mitten” by Jan Brett; “The Winter Solstice” by Ellen Jackson; “The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice” by Carolyn McVickar Edwards; “The Solstice Badger” by Robin McFadden; “The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice” by Wendy Pfefer and Jesse Reisch. Sending our best yuletide wishes to you and yours from all of us here at Classic!

For National Christmas Wreath Day, and we’re highlighting wonderful local businesses in the community who have natural wreaths for sale. And if that’s not enough, we’ve got a mix of virtual DIY Classes and events where you can make your own festive decor.  Check it out on today’s blog! more Wreath Themed Workshops Events On December 21st from 7PM to 10PM, grab your pals and take a road trip to Moran’s Pub in South Milwaukee for a Sip and Craft class. Sign up for a virtual Festive Wreath Workshops online with AmbienceArtsGB via Etsy. Book a spot in a virtual Holiday Wreath Workshop online and create a festive piece of holiday greenery with your pals. Forage for your own greenery and embellishments to create a wreath with Rogers Gardens in this virtual tutorial. Shop Small and Shop Local for Wreaths These wonderful local shops and businesses are ready for the holidays with a fine selection of festive trees, wreaths, and more! Laura’s Home & Patio Furniture Store in East Northport Hicks Nurseries Inc in Westbury Long Island Christmas Tree Delivery in Mineola J.G. Brands Christmas Tree Sales Inc at Padavan-Preller Fields House of Holiday in Ozone Park Elwood Christmas Tree Farm in Huntington Mike’s Christmas Tree Farm in Manorville Carter Christmas Tree Farm in Miller Place Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm LI in Cutchogue Dart’s Tree Farm in Southold Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm in Mattituck Greg’s Trees in College Point Atlantic Nursery & Garden Shop in Freeport Cheap Sam’s Plant Bargains in Holtsville Bayport Flower Houses, Inc. Hewlynn Home & Garden Center Wreaths for Your Car Who says festive holiday decorations are just for your home and office? Let’s get into the holiday spirit with these silly adornments for our automobiles! Christmas Car Decorations Christmas Reindeer Antlers Car Kit with LED Lights Christmas Wreaths fro Cars and Trucks Reindeer Antler Kit for Cars

Show up in your holiday finest to the rest of this month’s gatherings in any of these festive picks for goofy fashion on today’s blog.  Or check out these tips to hosting an ugly sweater party, and then get to it with these fun recipes and shirts!  Whatever way you celebrate the holidays, today is the perfect day to highlight the best and boldest in Ugly Sweater party outfits. more That’s right, we’re helping you find fun new ways to celebrate this holiday season, no matter where you’re headed. And while you're at the party you can share these fantastic fun facts with your guests: Ugly Sweaters first appeared in the 1950s, and were known as “Jingle Bell Sweaters” In the 1980s, ugly sweaters became a big deal in movies and television, especially holiday comedies The trend took off again into mainstream fashion trends in the early to 2000s, and is now a ubiquitous sight during the holiday season worldwide Fun Ugly Sweater Recipes Ugly Sweater Cookie Cake Ugly Pizza Christmas Sweater Eggnog Ugly Sweater Cake Gluten Free Ugly Sweater Cookies Vanilla Spice Ugly Sweater Cookies The Spruce Ugly Sweater Christmas Cookies Make An Ugly Sweater Cake Fun Ugly Sweaters for the Holidays You can make your own DIY Sweater, of course, or you can head over to these online stores and get your own!  Check it out: Pickup ruck Christmas Sweater Crewneck Retro Santa Ugly Sweatshirt Pullover Holly Jolly Vibes Pullover Sweater Ugly Christmas Sweater with Dragons Womens Ugly Sweater Sheep Cardigan Ugly Sweater Krampus Shirt Fast N Furious 1967 Style Ugly Christmas Sweater Truck With Tree Holiday Ugly Sweater Sweatshirt Christmas Time Is About Family Women’s Ugly Sweater Mirror Shirt

If you’ve got a pal on your list that is hard to shop for, we’re here to help.  You can never go wrong with a box of chocolates for gift giving, and since today is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day, we’ve got a list of great local candy shops!  Give your loved ones something sweet to look forward to for the holidays. Why not try your hand at making your own chocolates? We’ve gathered some easy to make recipes and moulds to make your own candy!  Treat your loved ones or yourself this Christmas with these beautiful goodies. more Local Chocolatiers and Candy Shops with Chocolate In Greater Chicago Area and Wisconsin IT’S SUGAR in Gurnee Mills Cora Lee Candies Inc in Glenview The Chocolate Sanctuary in Gurnee Desiree Chocolates in Northbrook Uniquely Sweet in Grayslake Toffee Traditions LLC in Highwood Sweet’s in Lake Forest Long Grove Confectionery and Chocolate Tour in Buffalo Grove Belgian Chocolatier Piron, INC in Evanston Poparrazzi Gourmet Treats in Waukegan Something Sweet in Antioch The Chocolate Sanctuary in Gurnee Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates in Chicago Chocolat Uzma in Chicago Veruca Chocolates in Chicago Royce’s Chocolate in Downtown Chicago Katherine Anne Confections in Chicago Leonidas Cafe Chocolaterie in Chicago Fazio’s Chocolate in Elm Grove, WI Ultimate Confections in Wauwatosa, WI Kilwins Lake Geneva in Lake Geneva, WI Allo! Chocolate in Waukesha, WI Puna Chocolate Company in Wauconda La Macaron in Brookfield, WI DIY Chocolates DIY Chocolate Truffles Easy Homemade Filled Chocolate Candies How to Make Moulded Chocolates 3 Ingredient Homemade Chocolate Bars Homemade Chocolate Candy Cups Kid Friendly Chocolate Candy Recipe Homemae Chocolates in the InstaPot Car Themed Candy and Chocolate Moulds Silicone Chocolate Moulds Car Shaped Hard Plastic Mould Silicone Muffin and Candy or Cake Tray Silicone Candy Molds by Wilton

Let’s get creative over the holiday break!  Break outside of  your comfort zone and try something new before the year is over, and check off the last few of your New Years Resolutions.  We’ve got a list of creative projects to do at home, and a few ideas to get out of the house and shake things up a bit at local studios. more Creative Classes, Events and Workshops On December 19th from 4PM to 6PM, come on over to the Dandelion Gallery & Studio in Waukegan for the Snow Globe and Coco Holiday Workshop. Today in Waukegan at the Belvidere Recreation Center, please stop by to pick up a treat back with four DIY Winter crafts, activities, treats, and all supplies you need to have creative fun.  $5 per bag for residents and $6 for non-residents. Order and pickup today (preregistration is required.) On December 20th, come over to Pinot’s Palette at Pleasant Prairie WI from 6:30PM to 8:30PM to paint “Aurora’s Magical Glow” painting. On December 21st from 6:30PM to 8:30PM Pinot’s Palette in Pleasant Prairie is hosting a Frosty Ornament Wine Bottle Painting class. At the Evanston Art Center in Evanston on December 27th from 9AM to 12PM, register your children for the Painting and Drawing Camp, Mixed Media Camp, and more! On December 27th at the Kenosha Public Museum, come on out with the kids for the Winter Art Camp Enchanged Forest event! At Bottle & Bottega in Arlington Heights on December 31st from 4PM to 6PM, come out to the Open Studio with your friends and pick a painting of your choice to create together. Got your own paints and brushes at home, but not sure where to start when it comes to building in creativity to your holiday break?  The “Winter Is Here” virtual Painting Class from Paint Sesh for a 1-2hr session guided by an instructor. Book now and use your own supplies. Cabin Fever Prevention: Great Activities and Projects to Get Creative Over Winter Break If you’ve got older kids, this list of 15 Crafts for Tweens and Teens will be right up their alley.  It’s got lots of ideas for easy DIY projects, and current color palettes to keep things aesthetic. This list is perfect for the teenagers in your life who want to add a more personal touch to their own rooms or some shared spaces: The Spruce Crafts knows what’s up! Remodel-a-holic blog has 25 DIY Canvas projects for teens (tested and approved by teens “Irl.”)  It’s a great way to make the most of those craft store holiday/post holiday sales, too! Promoting a healthy use of TikTok and Social Media can be tough, but this amazing list of craft ideas that teens will love to share on their socials is a great way to start! Check it out right here. Looking for something to share with your relatives or friends over the holiday?  This list of 10 great winter crafts are just what you need for family bonding time! The Art Bar Blog really knocks it out of the park with their beautiful DIY projects and tutorials.  Here’s another list of wonderful crafts to do over winter vacation.

Missing the joy rides and road trips of warm weather days?  Fret not, because we’re here to help get you through the winter with lots of reading material.  You’ll be able to live vicariously through the pages of these fabulous automotive inspired books. more From cool pictorial retrospectives, kids books and easy readers, and lots of other fabulous vehicle themed pop culture reading material, we’ve got something for everyone to share.  Check it out on today’s blog and let’s get cozy for some chilly weather reads! Great Reads About Life On the Road Cool Cars By Quentin Wilson Bullitt: The Cars and People Behind Steve McQueen By Matt Stone My Dad Had That Car: A Nostalgic Look At the American Automobile By Tad Burness Wheels for the World By Douglas G Brinkley Making Hyundai, Remaking Seoul By Lee Myung-bak Chrysler’s Turbine Car: The Rise and Fall of Detroit’s Coolest Creation By Steve Lehto Eat My Dust! Henry Ford’s First Race By Monica Kulling Monster Trucks By Susan E. Goodman Elbow Grease: Teamwork Wins By John Cena How Cars Work By Tom Newton Built for Speed: The World’s Fastest Cars By Publications International LTD Classic Cars: The Definitive Visual History By DK Books New Driver’s Guide To Things Not To Crash Into By Lea Dodykavis A Brief History of Motion By Tom Standage A Man and His Car: Iconic Stories of Cars & Men Who Love Them By Matt Hranek Of Metal and Earth By Jennifer M. Lane Antique Cars and Vehicles By James Homans

Today is National Hot Chocolate Day!  In celebration of this classic wintertime treat, and our love of shopping local businesses, we’re highlighting the best places locally to snag a cup of cocoa or custom hot chocolate bombs.  And plenty of fun things for home and your car with hot chocolate themes! more Where to Get Best Hot Chocolate in Local Chicago Area The Chocolate Sanctuary in Gurnee Gojos Cafe & Pancake House in Waukegan Coffee Break & Lunch in Waukegan Leonidas Chocolate Cafe in Northbrook Puna Chocolate Company in Wauconda Kroll’s Fall Harvest Farm in Waukegan Kilwins in Evanston Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Libertyville Drip and Culture in Waukegan Leonidas Cafe Chocolaterie in Chicago Morkes Chocolates in Palatine Mindy’s Bakery in Chicago Katherine Anne Confections in Chicago XO Marshmallow in Chicago Its All Good Coffee & Espresso in Zion Car Themed Mugs and More for Your Hot Chocolates Oil Drum Gas Pump Ceramic Mug Monopoly Car Sculpted Ceramic Mug Tire Coffee Mug with Wrench Tire Coffee Travel Cup 11oz Miniature Chocolate Cars Race Car Chocolate Covered oreos Untamed Drinking Chocolate Hot Chocolate Scented Items For Your Car Mexican Hot Chocolate Air Freshener and Odor Eliminator for Cars Milk Chocolate Air Freshener for Car Box of Chocolates Air Freshener and Odor Eliminator for Cars Cocoa Mog Car Freshie

We’re getting ready for holiday break with the kids by collecting all sorts of fun creative projects over the wintertime season.  To start things off, we’ve got an easy to customize DIY snow globe project!  Following that, we’ve got other great crafts and plenty of coloring pages for everyone to enjoy.  You’ll find lots of creative activities on today’s blog!  Plus, as an added bonus, most of these make great handmade gifts for loved ones and friends! more DIY Your Own Water Snow Globe What You Will Need: Recycled or new glass jars with matching tight fitting lids or snowglobe containers Optional: decoupage and paper, spray paint, or felt for Jar Lid Hot Glue or E6000 Epoxy Glue or Super Glue (both to be used by adults) Glitter and/or small sequins A small container of glycerin Miniature toy cars or miniature figures that fit on jar lids Distilled water How to Make It: Paint or decoupage your lid if desired. Arrange your decorations on the jar lid, and secure them with the glue.  Allow to dry fully (check glue container, tube, or glue sticks package for dry time.) Once your decorations are glued and dry.  Add your glitter or sequins to the clean, empty jar, add ½ teaspoon or so of glycerin to the jar, and pour distilled water into the jar until it’s just about full, leaving room for your decorated lid to fit inside. Add glue to the edge of your jar lid, secure it tightly to the top of the jar and allow the glue to fully set and dry (yes, your decorations will be upside down until the glue is fully dry and sealed!)  Add glue around the edges of the seal once the lid is applied. Once the glue is all dried and fully sealed, flip your jar over, and voila!! It’s a snow globe you’ve made all on your own! Great Decorations and Add-ins for Your Snow Globes Micro Machines 20 Pack of Tiny Toy Cars via Amazon Vintage Mini Figures via Etsy Holiday Snowflake Glitter Laser Sequins Via Amazon Holographic Chunky Glitter via Amazon Mini Christmas Ornaments Resin via Amazon 25pcs Pull Back Metal + Plastic Tiny Toy Cars via Amazon Superhero Mini Figures via Amazon ​​Plastic Toy Cars via Etsy Miniature Snowmen via Etsy Easy Wintertime Arts and Crafts for Families This is a great list of preschooler friendly winter themed crafts to make together. Here’s a great list of really easy Snowflake Crafts for Kids! FreeKidsCrafts.com has an awesome list of 10 easy crafts to make with kids. You can find them all right here. HomeMade Lovely has this adorable waterless snow globe craft idea. Great for decorating or gift giving. Lean into the classic, vintage aesthetic of the holiday season with this vintage inspired car snowglobe. Commemorate your family fun time with a photo snowglobbe craft! Fun for all ages and a great way to showcase a year of memories together. Check out this adorable Christmas Light Snowglobe craft for some festive holiday cheer. No need to be a trained fine artist to start painting!  You can easily learn paint a snowflake in acrylics, watercolor, or gouache. Start off making cut paper snowflakes with this helpful tutorial for Paper Snowflake decorations, and then get creative and design your own! You don’t need piles of coloring books to have fun, you can print-on-demand with these great coloring pages depicting winter wonderlands! Crayola has a great selection of wonderful Winter Coloring Page s on their site for more print on demand fun!