Time is in short supply around the holidays, so many people tend to be more exhausted hunters than energetic gatherers when December rolls around. But if you get out away from the city, you can get some shopping done without feeling as stale as a year-old candy cane. Ready? Let’s go.
MORNING
Head to my neck of the woods, McHenry County, for some old-fashioned customer service. Save the big boxes and chain stores on U.S. Highway 14 for another visit. Instead, try Crystal Lake’s historic downtown at Williams and Brink Streets. Revel in the classy elegance of Christmas decor at Wickham Interiors (67 N. Williams St., 815-455-6202) or Laurel & Lace (30 N. Williams, 815-477-1500). Another shop, Marietta (63 N. Williams, 815-459-9600), was featured in the August issue of Romantic Homes and offers home-and-garden items and jewelry with a more contemporary flair. We’re also fans of used-book stores, so we like to stop in at Twice Told Tales (61 N. Williams, 815-459-4343).
AFTERNOON
Before we head north, it’s time to recharge. Pierre Cabuzel, the chef behind East Dundee’s late, great Cafe du Louvre, is back in the area with the tiny, low-key Chez Pierre Creperie (246 Pomeroy Ave., 815-444-6180, no credit cards). Ham and beef bourguignon crepes are among the scrumptious entrees, and save room for dessert crepes as well (banana-Nutella and strawberry-chocolate are two combos we like).
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Some people head straight from Crystal Lake to Richmond’s antique row, which is due north, but, in so doing, pass by some terrific shops in McHenry. Those who lamented the passing of Full Cyrkle Records in Crystal Lake can take heart, because Tim Wille has opened Vinyl Frontier Records at Illinois Highway 31 and Lillian Street (815-363-8230), specializing in classic rock, Jackson guitars and turntables to play that vinyl on. The fam picked up a couple of ’70s CD compilations (cheaper than iTunes!), a best-of set by guitar whiz Robin Trower, and some Destiny’s Child and Mariah Carey. Just up the road on Illinois 31, Al N’ Ann’s Collectibles (billing itself “The Store With Issues” at 3819 W. Main St., 815-344-9696) has loads of comics, and action figures from “Family Guy” to “Buffy.” We’re not big on comics, but we like all the charitable work the owners do, so we picked up a few Cubs baseball cards from the ’70s and ’80s, including Bill Madlock and Rick Sutcliffe.
OK, time to head a few miles north again. If you celebrate Christmas, your family should at least once have the experience of selecting and cutting down a Christmas tree in the field. One such place to do that is Pioneer Tree Farm (4614 Pioneer Rd., McHenry, 815-385-8512, $35 per tree, open weekends through Dec. 18), where owners Bill and Alice Howenstine give 10 percent of the proceeds to the McHenry County Defenders environmental group (Defenders volunteers help staff the tree sales too). There’s free cocoa and coffee in the warming barn, where you also can purchase fair-trade coffee from Costa Rica and some handmade crafts. Need info on where to recycle that tree next month? That list is here too.
EVENING
Yes, sawing through pine is hard work, so you’re probably ready to eat. Every town should have a no-nonsense Greek-American diner like McHenry’s Fox Garden Cafe (4621 W. Elm [Route 120], 815-578-8577), where roast turkey and dressing are offered year-round and where quesadillas and gyros in the same dinner party don’t need an apology. The homemade desserts are rich in nostalgia and calories, especially the pies. Heading home? One last stop for stocking stuffers — and a nightcap for yourself — at the Riverside Chocolate Factory (2102 W. Route 120, McHenry, 815-344-6040). The small, cone-shaped building hides a bevy of treats baked on the premises.
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