First, our fine December day in the Loop* would be cold (30-35 degrees), but not windy. Perhaps sunny, although light flurries would be nice too. It would not, however, be cold and windy and rainy, as it was on a recent Sunday.
Also, while we’re at it, we’d find street parking. And it would be free.
We have shoppers in the family, so we begin on South State Street, avoiding those North Michigan Avenue throngs. First stop is Forever 21 (28 S. State St., 312-977-2121) for the teenage girls in the pack, and then we work our way north: Urban Outfitters (20 S. State St., 312-269-9919), Office Depot (6 S. State St., 312-781-0570), Sears (2 N. State St., 312-373-6000 ), Body Shop (1 N. State St., 312-553-4503), Garrett Popcorn (4 E. Madison St., 312-263-8087 ), Filene’s Basement (1 N. State St., 312-553-1055), Old Navy (35 N. State St., 312-551-0522), H&M (22 N. State St., 312-263-4436), Nordstrom Rack (24 N. State St., 312-377-5500). Then to Macy’s (111 N. State St., 781-1000), to see the Nutcracker windows and wander the still-glorious shopping palace.
A bit guilty from the rampant consumerism, we seek spiritual relief at First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple ( 77 W. Washington St., 312-236-4548), which features the world’s tallest church steeple.
Then it’s back to commercial Christmas, right across the street in Daley Plaza: The Christkindlmarket (50 W. Washington St.), an open-air, German-style market. At the Sweet Castle, we stock up on European chocolates for intermission at the Charles Dickens play later (see below).
We’re hungry, so we walk north on Dearborn Street and use our new favorite thoroughfare in the city: Couch Place, the restored alley that runs behind the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St., 312-977-1700) between Dearborn and State Streets. We take a left onto State, and we’re outside the WLS-Ch. 7 studio. If we’re lucky, we’ll spot one of our favorite weathermen, Jerry Taft, leaving the building; he’ll sign autographs. Elated, we trudge next door to Potbelly (190 N. State, 312-683-1234). The service is always fast and friendly; the sandwiches are warm and satisfying. Also a good value: $32.97 for five people.
We save the best for last: “A Christmas Carol” at the Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn St. 312-443-3800). We’ve seen it several times before, but it’s still a marvelous way to accentuate the holiday season. And, as the marvelous Chris Jones wrote in his review, Larry Yando is terrific as the new Scrooge.
And, so, as we leave the theater, trying to remember where the car is parked, Scrooge’s words echo:
“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.”
*Not the loosely defined “Loop,” but the official Loop territory, defined by the elevated tracks that circle the central business district along these streets: Van Buren Street, Wabash Avenue, Lake and Wells Streets.
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The season’s fleeting.
Survive it. Savor it!
The Holidaily shows you how, with 50 days of strategies, tips and tales throughout the Chicago Tribune and at chicagotribune.com/holidaily
