Recycle Your Christmas Tree

There is life after Christmas for your tree.

So, Christmas is over and the tree has male pattern baldness and appears to be on the verge of losing the last of its dessicated pins. What to do? The giving spirit can go on – with little effort, your tree can become compost to fertilize next year's growth. The city trash collection will pick up your tree for mulching at University City's Garden Center. The Department of Public Works says all you have to do is strip the tree of ornaments, tinsel and lights. Then put it out at your normal trash collection site the week of January 3rd or January 10th. City workers will haul it off to make chips. And, don't forget much of the wrapping paper and packaging for your presents can also be recycled. If you can't wait to ditch the tree until next …

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Is It Tacky To Propose On Christmas? An Etiquette Expert Says No

A St. Louis etiquette expert says its ok to ask her if she will over the holidays.

If you're thinking of piggybacking an engagement onto Christmas, a St. Louis etiquette guru says it's fine, just make sure to get the entire family onboard. "Other family members need to have an idea of what's going on so they can be prepared with the congratulations and not feel like the flare was taken out of Christmas," said Melenie Broyles,  an etiquette expert. She says for a lot of people it's a no-brainer to pop the question on Christmas. "Family is in town and they can ask permission of a parent and they can celebrate together," said Broyles. "What I don't encourage them to do is to do it at at somebody else's birthday party." She says it's thoughtless to take away another person's day. A New Year's Eve proposal also passes the …

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Procrastinators Still Have a Few Shopping Options

Last minute shoppers still have some time to stock up on gifts.

A reprieve for last minute holiday stragglers. Procrastinators can go to Vintage Vinyl, which is open until 6:00pm tonight and stock up on gifts. And clearly, it looks like that's what's happening, "The place is full," said Lew Prince, owner of Vintage Vinyl. He says some of the big sellers include Kanye West's new album as well as two St. Louis related books; Devil At The Confluence, about pre-war music in St. Louis. and In Concert: KSHE and 40+ Years of Rock in St. Louis, about the history of the radio station. For that person who has everything, head over to Plowsharing Crafts, which is open until 3:30 pm or Phoenix Rising, which closes at 4:00 pm. They have unusual gifts.  The Family Dollar Store at 7318 Olive Blvd is open until …

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Arts and Entertainment with Jeff Brandt

Loop Businesses Offer Out-of-the-Ordinary Shopping Ideas

University City Patch profiles three local businesses offering interesting holiday gifts.

Let's say you're sick of seeing all of the same bland gifts at a big box store. You want to spice up your shopping to make this holiday season one to remember. Why not just take a stroll down the Delmar Loop? These three stores on Delmar offer fun, unusual alternatives to traditional Christmas gifts. Enigma Tattoos Located above Sunshine Daydream, accepts walk-ins for tats and piercings. With a wall full of samples and an open mind when it comes to custom designs, Enigma is no stranger to offbeat Christmas shoppers. "A week or two before Christmas, people will come in wanting to buy their mom, sister, brother, dad or whoever a tattoo," employee Chris Greer said. Wait . . . moms? Even the white picket fence suburban moms who wear mom jeans…

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Myra's Musings

Tradition or Tightwad?

By the time my family buys a Christmas tree it's basically a fire hazard.

My husband says it's his family tradition. I think he's being a cheapskate. We wait until Christmas Eve to buy our Christmas tree.  Why? He says it's because both of his parents worked and that was the only time they had to get a tree. There's also another reason which he refers to as "just one of the bonuses." That's because Christmas Eve is when the trees go on sale.  So, instead of shelling out $60.00 for a Fraser Fir, we get it for $30.00. And my husband is ecstatic at his cost-savings. But by the time Christmas Eve comes the trees are looking haggard,with pine needles hanging on for dear life. I'm scared the lights will instantly ignite the tree. And I swear you can hear the branches moan from dehydration when we hang the ornaments on…

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