Chistmas season: Chicago style

The Christmas season is a favorite time for my family to return to my home town of Chicago. If the idea of visiting the Windy City during the holidays leaves you with visions of unbearable crowds and overrun shops dancing in your head, take heart and read on. It is my pleasure to share with you an insider's guide to some of Chicago's best - and some lesser known - experiences to enjoy with your family. 
 
ICE SKATING IN MILLENNIUM PARK 
OK, I know what you're thinking. "Cheryl," you say, "I thought you were going to take us off the beaten path!" You are right, this attraction is situated on Michigan Avenue and very much ON the beaten path, but is not to be missed. Check the park's website for hours and go early in the day to avoid the crowds. You will be so very glad that you did.

LILLSTREET ART CENTER 
I love to visit this nifty studio and gallery at this time of year to purchase handmade gifts for special people.

Lillstreet holds a holiday open house each year in which various artists take center stage to give hands-on instruction in their respective crafts. When we were there last year, my daughter Emma learned the art of silk screening.

Lydia learned how to make a crazy cool personalized ring.

The girls also tried their hand at making clay ornaments. It truly is a wonderful gem of a place!

MACY'S STATE STREET 
Macy's will always be known to us as Marshall Fields' original store, but no matter what you call it, do not miss their over-the-top holiday displays. Again, this one is very much on the well-worn tourist path, but a visit at night is always a treat.

The girls are always mesmerized by the holiday scene in the windows at Macy's.

THE HOLIDAY TREE AT DALEY CENTER AND CHRISTKINDLMARKET 
Locate the enormous holiday tree in the plaza outside Chicago's civic center (Daley Center) and you are just steps from the German Christkindlmarket. Here you can shop for beautiful ornaments and sample scrumptiously warm potato pancakes.

A visit to Daley always prompts a trip down memory lane for me as soon as I spy "The Picasso", a sculpture I played on as a little girl.

THE SWEDEN SHOP 
And speaking of wonderful European-style shopping experiences, a visit to the gorgeous Sweden Shop on West Foster is not to be missed, especially during the holiday season. We love to shop for holiday gifts here every year.

A couple of boxes of their wonderful gingersnaps always manage to find their way into our shopping bag.

I love finding something special under the tree that the girls have chosen just for me during our visit to The Sweden Shop.

JAM RESTAURANT 
We love a Jam Restaurant meal at Christmas time. Coincidentally, this 5-star breakfast place on West Logan is just two blocks from where I grew up.

Not only is the food utterly delicious at Jam, the eatery's huge floor-to-ceiling windows flood the place with natural light, beating back any trace of gloom from even the grayest of Chicago winter days.

Do you and your family enjoy visiting Chicago during the holiday season? 
What are the special places that are on your must-visit list? 
Leave a note in the comments. I'd love to hear from you!