But for many children, they will spend Christmas at the St. Louis Children's Hospital, not only away from home but with health concerns.
One of those children is Maelyne Cartee. Her second-grade classmates and teacher Sarah Kennedy at Russellville Elementary School have been collecting new stuffed animals to share with all of the patients there, because Maelynne's favorite toys are stuffed animals.
"I can't help but think of Maelynne sitting in the hospital, spending Christmas away from home," Kennedy said. "If these children can bring a smile to those children's faces, what a blessing."
See this week's Democrat for the complete story.