Santa is making a lot of appearances around the Salt Lake Valley this year.

State of play: Some locations have paid photo packages, but a few of those will let your kids meet the big man for free. Inquire with the site staff for details.

• Many also welcome pets — even lizards — but ask before you arrive.

Here are some of the spots where you can take the kids to whisper their holiday wishes.

Trolley Square: Find Santa at the trolley car in the Trolley History Museum.

• When: 5-8pm Thursdays and Fridays and 3-8pm Saturdays until Dec. 22

City Creek: You can reserve a photo with Santa online through Dec. 24.

• Cost: Photo packages start at $39.99.

Hyatt Regency: Head to the 6th floor rooftop terrace to visit Santa's Village and get a photo with him 11am-2pm each Saturday of the month.

• Tickets: $20

Jolley's Corner: St. Nick is there noon-6pm daily Monday-Saturday. Register online or walk in if the line isn't too long.

• Cost: $26.94 covers the visit and photos.

Sugar House Santa Shack: Santa has been visiting Sugar House for more than 70 years. He's there Mondays-Saturdays; check hours online. First come, first served.

• Cost: $25 for a digital photo package, $10 to visit with your own camera.

RC Willey: Santa offers free visits and photos at all locations noon-4pm Saturdays through Dec. 21.

This is the Place: Visit Father Christmas during Candlelight Christmas in the Village at the Emigration Canyon historical park. Carolers, a live nativity scene and other activities are also onsite 5-9pm Mondays-Saturdays through Dec. 23.

• Tickets: $9.95 for adults, $8.95 for seniors and $7.95 for kids 3-11.

Valley Fair: Instead of Santa, meet the Grinch at the West Valley City mall.

• When: 2-6pm each Saturday and Sunday of December.

Wheeler Farm: Meet Santa on the farmhouse porch and take a wagon ride through the light displays 5-7pm each Friday through Dec. 20.

• Tickets: $3

Fashion Place: Santa visits daily through Dec. 24. Registration available online, but walk-ups are also welcome.

• Cost: Photo packages start at $39.99; it's $19.99 to visit without a photo.

More meet-and-greets!

Holiday hosting season is in full swing.

The big picture: Nostalgia is driving this year's holiday decor trends, according to design pros. 

• It's all about bows, handmade ornaments, fresh greenery and rich colors accented with silver and gold, per House Beautiful. 

Zoom out: Planning is key to avoiding added stress around the holidays. Here are some recommendations — beyond decking the halls — from HGTV celebrity designer Jasmine Roth.

• 🛏 Be a guest in your own home. If you have a guest room, stay in it for a night before everyone arrives. You might realize you need a phone charger, hooks for towels, or a warmer blanket.
• 📱Include guests in the plans. Fire up the group chat sooner rather than later to coordinate schedules. Closer to the event, share menu ideas and make a grocery list. Guests can add snack requests, or volunteer to take charge of one meal if they're staying an extended period.
• ⏲ Cook ahead of time. Pre-make a signature cocktail and an easy appetizer that you can set out right before guests arrive.

Christmas tree prices peak around Thanksgiving and mostly fall thereafter, new data shows.

Why it matters: For the live tree lovers among us, timing your annual purchase is a delicate balance between prices and how long you'll get to enjoy a majestic pine or spruce in your living room.

By the numbers: The average Christmas tree went for a high of around $131 on Thanksgiving last year, then fell to about $55 by Christmas Eve.

• Just like candy after Halloween, the real bargains come after Christmas: about $50 on Dec. 30, for example.
• That's based on data from payments firm Square, which gathered info from more than 3,000 tree merchants.

Between the lines: Actual local prices depend on several factors, including the success of nearby growers' annual yields.

• Certain varieties or crops may be more vulnerable to the drought conditions plaguing much of the country this fall, for example.

If you go: Consider chopping down your own tree.

• It's usually cheaper than pre-cut, and makes for a great family day out.

The bottom line: Tree sellers moved 90% of their inventory by mid-December last year, per Square — so get moving if you don't want to end up stuck with a diminutive Charlie Brown fir.