Sending Packages For The Holidays? Here's The Deadlines!
Shopping, wrapping and sending. You need to be aware of the postage and shipping deadlines to make sure your packages get to their destinations on time. We have compiled a list of deadlines from Christmas cards to presents, you may want to print off.
The USPS says it the week of Dec. 13-18 is anticipated to be the busiest mailing, shipping and delivery week of the season.
USPS recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for delivery by Dec. 25, (to Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office (APO/FPO/DPO) and domestic addresses):
- Dec. 9 — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
- Dec. 15 — USPS Retail Ground service
- Dec. 16 — APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express Military service
- Dec. 17 — First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
- Dec. 17 — First-Class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
- Dec. 18 — Priority Mail service
- Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express* service
Weekend Family Activities!
WEEKEND UPDATE FOR November 24-28
THURSDAY
Willard Turkey Trot and Family Fun Run at the Willard Middle School. On site registration is 7:30 race is at 9 am. Register for $25.00
10th Annual Branson Turkey Trot on November 25th, 2021! Race starts at 8:00 a.m. Come early to Register
Springfield Greene County Turkey Trot- Virtual. Run your own race. Get info at https://www.parkboard.org/624/27th-Annual-Turkey-Trot
Silver Dollar City “Old Time Christmas” opens at 2 pm- 9 pm
FRIDAY
Small Business Weekend on C- Street is a 3-day opportunity to avoid large crowds and find unique, affordable gifts for friends and family. Pick up your purchases on the spot and you won't have to worry about your presents not arriving on time!
Gardens Aglow at the Japanese Stroll Garden beginning at 5pm until 8:30 pm. Admission $5.00 for adults and 2 for kids 3-12
Christmas Lights of Ozark at the Finley River Park. FREE but donations are accepted. Opens at 5pm
Fall Classic ‘National Lampoons Christmas Vacation” at the Gillioz theater starts at 7:30. Tickets still available
FEZ-tival of Trees at the Abou Ben Adehm Shrine begins at noon. Win an incredible tree- Admission is $5.00
Silver Dollar City “Old Time Christmas” opens at 2 pm- 10 pm
SATURDAY
417 Craft Crawl at Farmers Market of the Ozarks. Exclusively local handmade goods, presented to you by their makers, in a curated event presenting the best our Ozarks home has to offer. Located At Farmers park 2144 E Republic road
Shop Small business Saturday in downtown Springfield begins at 9 am at various retailers.
Silver Dollar City “Old Time Christmas” opens at 2 pm- 10 pm
These Restaurants ARE Open on Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is largely about food. But if you don't want to cook it, there's nothing wrong with wanting the big meal and the trimmings without the sweat.
Here are the chain restaurants in Springfield that will be open on Thanksgiving.
Applebee's
Bob Evans
Cracker Barrel
Denny's
Golden Corral
Logan's Roadhouse
Picking Out A Christmas Tree? Here's Some Help!
Looking for the perfect Christmas tree? Depending what you like there are a variety of trees to pick from. Here is a list of trees that may appeal to you and your family. Happy decorating!
Fraser Firs
Frasers could be considered the generalists of the Christmas tree world. Their shape can vary from skinny and wide. "They're the Cadillac of the tree business," Lutz says. But that also means their cost can be on the higher end.But they also support ornaments where other varieties may not. That's thanks to their branches, which are stiff.
Scots Pine
Among the more classically defined Christmas trees to grow out of Michigan, Scots pines are dense in their needle distribution but manage to hold on to them well. They're also one of the more economical choices for those on a budget.
Douglas Fir
Douglas firs also carry a dense supply of needles, but they don't always stand up to the weight requirements of ornaments, lights, and tinsel. Also considered an economical choice.
Concolor Fir
Concolor firs have the color tone of a Blue spruce, but their needles smell like citrus. Imagine a holiday season where the home greets its owner with the subtle but fresh aroma of lemon or lime.
Balsam Fir
The Balsam fir actually smells like Christmas - if Christmas had a scent. It has a darker green hue and thick strong needles. Balsams also carry the classic form one expects from a Christmas tree, wide at the bottom and slowly thinner the higher you get.
Blue Spruce
The always popular Blue spruce is a fan favorite for the color. A Blue-bordering-on-silver shine does justice to the variety's name. The branches are also stiff and hold ornaments well. But be wary of the needles, which carry a bit sharper of a point when handled.
Exotic varieties
Korean fir
Despite being native to soils in Asia, Korean firs do well in Michigan's climate. Its needles are a mixture of deep green and silver on their undersides. These trees come with a few caveats though - they can be wide, which means finding a spot in the house might not be easy.
Nordmann Fir
The most popular varieties in Europe, the Nordmann fir have a strong green color with prominent layering in its branches, according to the Michigan Christmas Tree Association.
Grand Fir
These trees aren't for the faint of heart or homes with low roofs. Grand firs can grow well beyond the typical height of a Douglas, despite them looking similar. Even growing tall, these trees can also grow wide, like Korean firs.
New Business in Springfield!
Nothing like the piney scent of a freshly cut Christmas tree! Starting the day of Thanksgiving- yep, that's THIS Friday, you will be able to buy one of those unbelievable scented trees!
Christmas tree shops are setting up shops in several location. One location you can buy your Christmas fresh cut tree is at St Elizabeth Ann Seton church at 2200 W. Republic Road.
The church will start selling day the trees beginning at 8 am! Get there early for best selection!
Missing Ingredients? Check Out These Solution Substitutions!
Has this ever happened to you? I need some Butter milk and you are totally out- well don’t go to the store, check out these cool hacks that may get you thru the holidays!
16 Common Ingredient Substitutions to Get You Through the Holidays Without an Extra Trip to the Store
Buttermilk
Believe it or not, you can still make your famous buttermilk biscuits, even if you're missing the buttermilk. Ashcraft says you can substitute half a cup of whole milk mixed with half a cup of sour cream for a cup of buttermilk. If you don't have sour cream, Baker says you can add a cup of milk to a tablespoon of white vinegar. She adds that you should allow it to sit for five minutes and stir before using.
Self-Rising Flour
It's easy to make your own self-rising flour at home. Baker recommends mixing one cup all-purpose flour, one teaspoon baking powder, one fourth teaspoon baking soda and one half teaspoon salt to make self-rising flour in a pinch.
Lemon Juice
If you ever made the mistake of thinking you had lemons on hand, Ashcraft can relate. "I am great at thinking I have lemons in my vegetable drawer in the fridge and then they are either past their prime or I don't have any at all," he says. "In a pinch for things like hollandaise, gremolata, or salad dressings, I will substitute a splash of champagne vinegar. The ratio isn't quite one to one, but it'll work."
Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs have a notoriously short shelf life, especially if you don't store them correctly. If you're in the midst of a recipe when you discover your fresh herbs are past their prime, Baker says you can substitute dried herbs instead. She cautions, however that dried herbs have a much more concentrated, powerful flavor. For this reason she suggests substituting a third of the amount called for in the recipe. In other words, one teaspoon of dried herbs would substitute for three teaspoons, or a tablespoon, of fresh herbs.
Stock
Ashcraft says he always keeps jars of Better Than Bullion in the refrigerator for those occasions when he needs stock in a pinch. "The flavor of these versus dry powdered bouillon is far superior and they keep in the refrigerator for months," he adds. He loves substituting juice for stock when he's braising meats like pot roast too. "I make chipotle-pineapple braised country-style ribs in the slow cooker with canned chipotle chiles and pineapple juice instead of chicken stock."
Brown Sugar
You can still treat your guests to brown sugar rum cake, even if you're out of brown sugar. "To substitute brown sugar, mix one cup granulated sugar with one fourth cup molasses," baker says. To compensate for this, she suggests reducing the total liquids in your recipe by one fourth cup.
Soy Sauce
"I keep Bragg's Liquid Aminos around for things that could use some salt and umami of soy sauce, but without the strong soy sauce flavor. It's great in pot roast, brown gravies, and vegetable soups that need some extra depth," Ashcraft says.
Cornstarch
The best substitute for cornstarch is white flour. For every tablespoon of cornstarch your recipe calls for, you'll need three tablespoons of flour.
Chives
Are chives our of stock at your local grocery store? According to Baker, an equal amount of chopped green onion tops can be substituted for chopped chives.
Heavy Cream
All is not lost if you don't have heavy cream in your refrigerator. Simply melt four tablespoons of butter and allow it to cool so enough to approach room temperature without turning solid again. Next, use a wire whisk to mix in three fourths cup of whole milk. The combination of whole milk along with the added fat from butter will substitute nicely for heavy cream in your recipes.
Shallots
If you don't have the shallots your recipe calls for, but you do have onions, you're in luck. "An equal amount of white or yellow onion can be substituted for shallots," Baker says.
Cooking Sherry
If you're looking for the best substitutions for cooking sherry, you'll be pleased to know there are multiple options that can be subbed in on a one to one basis. The best choice is dry vermouth, but if it isn't available you can also use dry white wine or chicken stock with a touch of lemon juice in a pinch.
Butter
Discovering you're out of butter while you're knee-deep in meal preparation can be frustrating, but luckily there are a number of good substitutions you probably already have in your kitchen. Shortening, margarine, olive oil, vegetable oil, and coconut oil can all be subbed in for recipes that call for butter. For baked goods, you can even get creative and substitute ingredients like nut butters, apple sauce, or mashed avocados on a one to one basis.
Tomato Paste
If you've got canned tomatoes, you've got an easy substitute for tomato paste. Simply blend them in a food processor, then bring them to a boil over medium heat. Cook the tomatoes while stirring constantly until they thicken and reduce down to about a third of the original amount. A 14.5 ounce can of tomatoes will yield the same as a six ounce can of tomato paste.
Unsweetened Baking Chocolate
Baker says it's easy to make unsweetened baking chocolate at home. Simply mix three teaspoons of cocoa powder with a tablespoon of vegetable oil.
Semisweet Baking Chocolate
If you don't have any semisweet baking chocolate, Baker says you can make it yourself by combining an ounce of unsweetened baking chocolate with a tablespoon of granulated sugar. Simply multiply this recipe by the number of ounces you need.
bookmark this list and keep it handy to alleviate your stress over the holidays.
What Food’s Are Ok For Dogs on Thanksgiving?
We love our furry friends and sometimes we just want them to enjoy some holiday food like we do. However, there are some foods that we shouldn’t give our dogs. Here is a list that are “no no’s” for puppy.
Not safe for pets
- Turkey bones, skin, and gravy
- Stuffing
- Casseroles
- Mashed potatoes
- Creamed peas
- Chocolate, cookies, pies, and sweets (especially anything containing xylitol)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Raisins and grapes
- Onions, scallions, and garlic
- Ham
- Yeast dough
- Fatty foods
- Foods containing spices
If your dog snatches something off the table while your back is turned, you can contact the Pet Poison Helpline for guidance on what to do next.
Safe to feed your dogs
- Sweet potatoes that don’t contain any added ingredients
- Potatoes that are boiled or baked with no butter, sour cream, salt, or pepper, served in moderation
- Apples that are cut around the core. Large amounts of apple seeds can be toxic
- Turkey meat (no bones, no skin) as long as it’s not prepared with any seasoning
- Green beans without any added ingredients like butter or spices
- Plain peas are fine, but creamed peas should be avoided
- Pumpkin can help with digestive health and it’s great for a dog’s skin and coat, but if feeding canned pumpkin, make sure it’s not the pre-spiced pie mix
- Dessert is an option if you pick something healthy like frozen yogurt
Ryan Reynolds On Antique Roadshow (Video)
We LOVE Ryan Reynolds! His quick wit and honesty, even when it’s TMI, gets us every time! Ryan was recently on “Antique Road Show” talking about “Cleo’s Egg!” An egg that Ryan “borrowed” from his friend at the museum.
Watch this:
Get The Popcorn! It’s HallMark’s Movie List!
Great holiday movie list from Hallmark!
Friday, Nov. 19
Nantucket Noel
Time:
7 p.m. on The Hallmark Channel
Stars: Trevor Donovan, Sarah Power
Logline: “During the Seaside Noel celebrations, Christin learns of a developer who is planning to tear down the wharf that is home to her toy store. Tensions rise as she falls for the developer’s son, Andy.”
Saturday, Nov. 20
A Christmas Together with You
Time: 7 p.m. on The Hallmark Channel
Stars: Harry Lennix, Laura Vandervoort, Niall Matter
Logline: “During the Christmas season, Megan and her father-figure Frank head out on a road trip to find his long-lost love. Along the way, Megan finds the love of her own life.”
Sunday, Nov. 21
A Kiss Before Christmas
Time: 7 p.m. on The Hallmark Channel
Stars: James Denton, Teri Hatcher, Marilu Henner
Logline: “When nice-guy Ethan casually wishes his life had taken a different course, he wakes up the next day to find nothing is the same – he’s not married to his wife Joyce, he doesn’t have two teenaged kids and he’s CEO of his company. If he wants to reclaim his original life and the family he loves, he must convince Joyce he’s telling the truth and win her over…and he only has until Christmas Day.”
Thursday, Nov. 25
The Nine Kittens of Christmas
Time: 7 p.m. on The Hallmark Channel
Stars: Brandon Routh, Kimberley Sustad, Gregory Harrison
Logline: “Cat lovers Zachary and Marilee are thrown back together at Christmas when they’re tasked with finding homes for a litter of adorable kittens.”
Friday, Nov. 26
Christmas CEO
Time:
5p.m. on The Hallmark Channel (Merry Thanksgiving Weekend)
Stars: Marisol Nichols, Paul Greene
Logline: “A small toy company CEO gets a once in a lifetime offer to merge with a mega toy company but will need her estranged ex-business partner’s signature to seal the deal. What he helps her rediscover will change both of their lives.”
An Unexpected Christmas
Time:7 p.m. on The Hallmark Channel (Merry Thanksgiving Weekend)
Stars: Bethany Joy Lenz, Tyler Hynes,
Logline: “A writer convinces his ex-girlfriend to pose as a couple for Christmas.”
Saturday, Nov. 27
Making Spirits Bright
Time: 5 pm on The Hallmark Channel (Merry Thanksgiving Weekend)
Stars: Taylor Cole, Carlo Marks
Logline: “The son & daughter of rival holiday decorating families help mend their fathers’ decades-old feud, finding romance along the way as they compete in the town’s holiday decorating contest.”
Christmas at Castle Hart
Time: 7 pm on The Hallmark Channel
Stars: Lacey Chabert, Stuart Townsend
Logline: “Brooke Bennett goes to Ireland for Christmas to search for her Irish roots. While there, she meets Aiden Hart, Earl of Glaslough. Mistaken for an elite event planner, she’s hired to host his castle’s epic Christmas party.”
Sunday, Nov. 28
Christmas in Tahoe
Time: 6 p.m. ET/PT on The Hallmark Channel (Merry Thanksgiving Weekend)
Stars: Laura Osnes, Kyle Selig, Pat Monahan, George Lopez
Logline: “To save her family hotel’s Christmas show, talent booker Claire must ask for help from her ex-boyfriend Ryan, the lead guitarist of a now-famous band that fired her as their manager years ago.”
The Christmas Contest
Time:7 pm Candace Cameron Bure, John Brotherton, Barbara Niven
Logline: “Exes Lara and Ben compete in a Christmas contest to win money for the charity of their choosing. The city watches them battle and choose what is more important, victory or love.”
Friday, Dec. 3
Eight Gifts of Hannukkah
Time: 7 pm on The Hallmark Channel
Stars: Inbar Lavi, Jake Epstein
Logline: “A woman journeys to find her secret admirer during Hanukkah”
Saturday, Dec. 4
A Very Merry Bridesmaid
Time: 7 pm on The Hallmark Channel
Stars: Emily Osment, Casey Deidrick
Logline: “Leah’s 30th birthday is on Christmas Eve, the same day as her brother’s wedding. Her childhood crush is back in town for the wedding and he is determined to make sure her birthday does not go by the wayside.”
Sunday, Dec. 5
Sister Swap Part 1: A Hometown Holiday
Time: 7 pm on The Hallmark Channel
Stars:
Kimberly Williams Paisley, Ashley Williams, Mark Deklin, Keith Robinson, Susan Yeagley, and Kevin Nealon
Logline: “In these interconnected movies, Jennifer and Meg Swift are sisters who couldn’t be closer despite living hours apart. Jennifer is in Salt Lake City, running a successful restaurant she started with her late husband and raising her teenaged son Simon. Meg stayed in their hometown of Hazelwood, helping their parents run the local bakery. This Christmas is the family’s first since the passing of Uncle Dave, who owned the town’s beloved theater, The Madison, where many memories were made over the years. When Jennifer and Simon return home for the holiday, they become wistful for one more Christmas at The Madison, despite that it’s for sale and in need of repairs. Meanwhile, Meg is helping Jennifer’s restaurant staff in Salt Lake prepare for a Christmas competition among local restaurants with the winner earning money for the charity of its choice. With the sisters switching cities leading up to the holiday, they find a new sense of purpose and discover what they both truly need in life and in love.”
Friday, Dec. 10
A Dickens of a Holiday
Time: 7 pm on The Hallmark Channel
Stars: Kristoffer Polaha, Brooke D’Orsay
Logline: “To make the 100th anniversary of her hometown’s Victorian festival a success, Cassie invites action movie star and former high school classmate Jake to play Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.”
Saturday, Dec. 11
A Royal Queens Christmas
Time: 7 pm on The Hallmark Channel
Stars: Megan Park, Julian Morris
Logline: “A prince finds his way to Queens during Christmas when a local woman enlists his help with a children’s Christmas show.”
Sunday, Dec. 12
Sister Swap Part 2: Christmas in the City
Time: 7 pm on The Hallmark Channel
Stars: Kimberly Williams Paisley, Ashley Williams, Mark Deklin, Keith Robinson, Susan Yeagley, and Kevin Nealon
Logline: “Meg Swift comes to Salt Lake City from her hometown in Hazelwood to see her sister Jennifer, who runs a local restaurant in town. Still feeling the effects of losing their Uncle Dave, a change of scenery and a project to dive into is just what she needs. When Jennifer and her teenage son, Simon, return to Hazelwood home for a pre-holiday visit with their family, Meg offers to help Jennifer’s staff prepare for a competition among local restaurants that awards the winner money for the charity of its choice. As effusive Meg works alongside the more reserved Joe, the restaurant’s manager, the two find their differences are what make them a great team. Swapping cities with her sister leads Meg to her next chapter and also just might bring her an unexpected romance.”
Saturday, Dec. 18
The Christmas House 2: Deck the Halls
Time: 7 pm on The Hallmark Channel
Stars: Robert Buckley, Ana Anyora, Jonathan Bennett, Sharon Lawrence, Treat Williams, Brad Harder
Logline: “The Mitchell brothers compete to see who can create the best Christmas House.”
Sunday, Dec. 19
‘Tis the Season to be Merry
Time: 7 pm on The Hallmark Channel
Stars: Rachael Leigh Cook, Travis Van Winkle, Karen Maina White
Logline: “Looking for a fresh angle to her book on relationships, Merry heads to snow-covered Vermont. She finds a new perspective and Christmas cheer with charismatic aid worker Chris.”
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Miracles of Christmas Schedule
Download the PDF Schedule Here
Already Aired
Christmas in My Heart
Stars: Heather Hemmens, Luke Macfarlane, Sheryl Lee Ralph
Logline: “Concert violinist Beth tutors the daughter of reclusive country music star Sean to prep her for the holiday concert. They are joined through the connective power of music.”
The Christmas Promise
Time: 10 p.m. ET/PT on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Stars: Torrey DeVitto, Dylan Bruce, Patrick Duffy
Logline: “Nicole learns to deal with grief, with the help of her grandfather and a carpenter she hires to renovate the home that was once meant for her and her fiancé.”
Saturday, Nov. 20
Five More Minutes
Time: 9 pm on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Stars: Nikki Deloach, David Haydn-Jones
Logline: “Inspired by Scotty McCreery’s song, “Five More Minutes,” a woman’s Christmas wish is answered in unexpected ways when her late grandfather’s journal turns up and reveals an untold romance.”
Saturday, Nov. 27
Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas
Time: 9 pm on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Stars: Jessy Schram, Brendan Penny
Logline: “During the holidays, a woman with amnesia catches a ride with her handsome nurse to investigate the only clue to her identity: a newspaper clipping for a Christmas Festival with a cryptic invitation.”
Saturday, Dec. 4
Our Christmas Journey
Time: 9 pm on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Stars: Holly Robinson Peete, Lyriq Bent, Nik Sanchez
Logline: “As a single mom and her teenaged son with autism come to a crossroad during Christmas, she must learn to let go so he can flourish as she finds her own heart healing in unexpected ways.”
Saturday, Dec. 11
A Godwink Christmas: Miracle of Love
Time: 9 pm on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Stars: Katherine Barrell, Alberto Frezza
Logline: “Now that Joy has completed her education, she’s ready to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse and follow in her late mother’s footsteps. Back at home before the holiday and with no job on the horizon, Joy’s interest is piqued by a volunteer opportunity out of town. There, she meets Eric, who is also at a crossroads. As they become immersed in the effort to build a new home for a family at Christmas, Joy and Eric both find a new sense of purpose. Through a series of coincidences — or, Godwinks– and a medical miracle, they begin to believe in destiny.”
Saturday, Dec. 18
Christmas for Keeps
Time: 9 pm on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Stars: Ashley Newbrough, Ryan Rottman, Christa B. Allen, Marielle Scott
Logline: “At Christmastime, a close-knit group of childhood friends returns home after 10 years to take part in the celebration of life of their beloved high school teacher.”
Movies & Mistletoe
Thursday, Nov. 18
Every Time a Bell Rings
Time: 11 Pm on Hallmark Movies Now
Stars:
Erin Cahill, Brittany Ishibashi, Ali Leibert, Wes Brown
Logline: “Three sisters reunite in their hometown of Natchez, MS at Christmas after a long time apart. They’re surprised to discover their late father had planned one last scavenger hunt for them to find the family’s wooden wishing bell, a beloved, annual holiday tradition when they were young. As they search for clues in the days leading up to Christmas, the trio visits local childhood haunts around Natchez that hold special meaning for them. In the process, their sisterly bond is rekindled and each learns an important lesson about what they want in life and in love.”
Thursday, Dec. 2
Sugar Plum Twist
Time: 11 pmon Hallmark Movies Now
Stars: Jamie Gray Hyder, Ektor Rivera, Laura Rosguer
Logline: “After failing to get the coveted role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in this year’s production of The Nutcracker, Vivíana Serrano, an aspiring ballerina, joins forces with Natalia, a retiree from the New York Ballet, to create a surprise reprise of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy…with a Latin twist
What’s New in 417??? ICE CREAM!
