BLOOMINGTON -- Traveling to the Magnificent Mile to shop on Chicago's Michigan Avenue may not be in the plans this year during these hard times. But Central Illinois offers less expensive places to go that might remind even Scrooge about the true meaning of the season.

The David Davis Mansion at 1000 E. Monroe Drive in Bloomington celebrates a traditional 19th century holiday during Christmas at Clover Lawn now through Jan. 3.  Tours are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

The home, built by one of Abraham Lincoln's closest friends, features 13 Christmas trees decorated in Victorian style.  Feel free to sample food and candy from the period. Tours are free, though donations are suggested.

The mansion also is one of the local destinations of Christmas at the Mansions from 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 19.  Others are the Vrooman Mansion, 701 E. Taylor, Bloomington; the Broadview Mansion, 1301 S. Fell Avenue, Normal; and a "Mystery Mansion." Cost is $10 in advance, $12 at the door.  Tickets include a shuttle.  Visit www.daviddavismansion.org.

Springfield sites

Beginning Thursday, the National Park Service decorates the Lincoln Home in Springfield the way historians think Abe would have known it. Times

are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. On Christmas and New Year's Day the home is closed.

What you won't see there might surprise you.

"There's no Christmas tree," said Lincoln Home curator Susan Haake.

At that time, candle-lit trees were mainly limited to recent German immigrants, though historians have found a record indicating Mary Todd Lincoln's Presbyterian church may have had one.  Instead, homes featured poinsettias, mistletoe and evergreens, she said.

Likewise, Christmas decorations are absent at Lincoln's New Salem, the re-created village near Petersburg where Lincoln studied law and served as postmaster.

Before leaving Springfield, visit the Dana-Thomas House designed by famed Illinois architect Frank Lloyd Wright.  Now a state historic site, the house is decorated from Dec. 2 through New Year's Eve and open for special evening tours.  Regular times are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The Dana-Thomas Foundation hosts Family Night with a $1 suggested donation from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 19.  Luminaria Sunday, when sidewalks are decorated with 1,000 candles, is from 4 to8 p.m. Dec. 20. Call 217-788-9452.

Also, check out the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Old State Capitol, which hosts holiday walks from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2, 3, 9, 16 and 23. The Lincoln-Herndon Law Office also is open in the evenings for special holiday entertainment. For more information, call 217-785-7960.

Bishop Hill

Bishop Hill State Historic Site northwest of Galesburg off Interstate 74 was once a utopian experiment launched by Swedish immigrants in 1846. Several buildings have survived the years, including The Colony Church, the Colony Hotel, a dormitory and a Colony barn. The Bishop Hill Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Historic Landmark.

Special events include Julmarknad, or Christmas Market, Dec. 5-6. Times are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The village also celebrates a Swedish tradition called Lucia Nights from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12.  "Lucias," who are young girls wearing head decorations that feature candles, serve coffee and sweets.

Julotta, a non-denominational service in English and Swedish, is on Christmas Day.  Phone (309) 927-3345 for details. Bishop Hill State Historic Site is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday through February.

LaSalle

In LaSalle, about 50 miles north of Bloomington-Normal on Interstate 39, the Victorian Hegeler Carus Mansion at 1307 Seventh St. hosts Christmas parties at 7 p.m. Dec. 10, 11, 12 and 13.  Historic re-enactors will portray people important to the mansion from the period, including: Edward and Camilla Hegeler and their children; Paul and Mary Carus; the mayor of LaSalle at the time, Frederick Matthiessen; another mayor, Alexander Campbell; German sculptress Elisabeth Ney; musical composer Dame Ethel Mary Smyth; social worker Jane Addams; and others. The parties are $20/person. Reservations are required. Phone 815-224-5895. A free event is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5.