Spring is coming, a perfect time for a party to celebrate a holiday, special occasion or simply the arrival of warmer weather! These local party planners share ideas and tips for the perfect spring soiree.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and what better way to revel in the holiday that celebrates love than with the ultimate romantic food and wine pairing: wine and chocolate?

LN’s holiday collection to benefit NURSES FOR NEWBORNS runs until Monday, Dec. 24. Suggested items for donation include baby formula, diapers, boy/girl toys (newborn to age 8), clothing (preemie to size 8), non-perishable food items and grocery gift cards. Collection boxes are available at our offices, 8811 Ladue Road (Ladue and 170), Suite D. To see the complete Wish List, visit laduenews.com.

This season, Ladue News is collecting Wish List items for Nurses for Newborns. We invite you to stop by LN and contribute new or gently used items to this very worthy cause!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, darn it! And if you’re not bursting with joy at the prospect of all the decorating, baking, gift-buying, card-sending and party-going packed into the next couple of weeks, then there must be something wrong with you.

Be a part of goodwill and good cheer! LN’s Holiday Wish List Drive for NURSES FOR NEWBORNS continues through Monday, Dec. 24. The organization, which helps at-risk young mothers and their babies stay healthy, as well as offering other means support to their families, is experiencing even greater need this holiday season. Suggested donation items include boys’ and girls’ clothing (infant to size 8), toys (newborn to age 8), non-perishable food, diapers, infant formula, baby wipes and grocery/Walmart/Target gift cards. Collection boxes are available at our offices, 8811 Ladue Road (Ladue and 170), Suite D. For the complete Wish List, visit laduenews.com.

Washington University has awarded filmmaker KEN BURNS with its 2012 International Humanities Medal. Burns was presented with the award for having a significant impact on American society with his contribution to the arts.

ST. LOUIS OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS

From pecan pie to red velvet brownies, our 2012 Holiday Dessert Recipe Contest produced our best-ever reader turnout—and a delicious one at that! With help from LN Cooks' chef John Johnson, Spicy Bits writer Matt Sorrell and Wedding Wisdom columnist John Sullivan of Ken Miesner's Flowers (who also decorated the holiday table), we took on the sweet task of coming up with a winner from the 20 dessert entries.

SAINT LOUIS CRISIS NURSERY

From gorgeous jewelry and trendy purses to elegant picture frames and sweet-smelling candles, take over the No. 1 friend spot with these top choices for holiday presents.

Birthright Counseling, St. Louis

For many, the holidays mean big family dinners with tables full of delicious food. But for others, a meal at any time is hard to come by, much less during the cold weather months when limited budgets dictate heat over turkeys.

Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center

Wondering what's on your children's wish list this year? We may have some ideas... Check out these great toys and games for a variety of ages from Imagination Toys and Verde Kids. 

All nonprofits planning events next year, take note: Butler's Pantry has announced it will donate $2,013 to each non-profit organization that hosts an event at its Palladium Saint Louis event space in 2013.

It’s that time of year to clean up the aftermath of the holidays and begin new resolutions. And while resolutions may include de-cluttering our homes and lives, it also can be an appropriate time to take a closer look at our finances.

Academy of Science

Tina Ciapciak and Tommy Epstein had known each other since grade school, but it wasn’t until they were reunited over the holidays during college that they made a love connection. “The night after Christmas, I remember seeing her from a distance and thinking how beautiful she looked!” Tommy recalls. “A friend pulled me away, and I thought I had missed my chance.” But as fate would have it, later that night, the two ended up at a mutual friend’s house. “I knew right away he was Mr. Right!” Tina says. “Seriously, I came home and told my mother that Tommy was ‘the one.’”

Social calendars are filling up and gift lists are growing. All of the hubbub—along with the decision of what to give—can be overwhelming. With more and more people enjoying wine, we asked area experts for advice on how to go about selecting the perfect bottle.