Christmas is the most anticlimactic holiday. If you have children, or if you are a child at heart, you will be cleaning up shreds of wrapping paper within minutes of sunrise. The parades are lame, dinner is Thanksgiving redux and jacking cop cars in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas soon loses its thrill. Well, put on that sweater Grandma knit you and head to Hidden Valley (17409 Hidden Valley Drive, Wildwood; 636-938-5373) for the first Midnight Madness skiing of the season (actually 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.). A pass for the night costs $25, and if Santa forgot the skis you wanted, a pass with equipment rental costs $49. There will be Madness at Midnight only if weather permits: Call Hidden Valley's snow-report line (636-938-6999) for updates. -- Ian Froeb
Cream Philly!
On Monday Night Football
MON 12/27
So there you are, two days after Christmas: Cleaning up after your in-laws, supervising Star Wars marathons for the kids, trying to keep the cat from scaling the Christmas tree -- this isn't what you had in mind when you took the week off work, is it? Relax -- we know those three little words that can make all the hustle and bustle disappear: Monday Night Football. Yes, the Rams host the Philadelphia Eagles at 8 p.m., and if you received tickets for Christmas ($42 and $51), watch it live at the Edward Jones Dome (Broadway and Washington Avenue); otherwise watch it on ABC, preferably outside of the home. The Rams don't even have to win, so long as they play better than their last MNF appearance. The important thing is for you to have a few hours of serenity -- is it game time yet? For more information visit www.stlouisrams.com or call 314-241-1888. -- Amy Helms
Illini of the Tiger
WED 12/22
Hey, we're a fan of Mizzou men's b-ball coach Quin Snyder's frat-hole good looks as much as the next guy -- erm, girl -- but even we'll be taking off the beer goggles tonight when the team attempts to put on a good show against the University of Illinois at Savvis Center (1401 Clark Avenue; tip-off's at 7 p.m.). The Illini just happen to be ranked No. 1 in the country (at press time); Mizzou, meanwhile, lost last month to Davidson. (Who? Exactly.) The annual bi-state "Braggin' Rights" game is sold out, but fair-weather Fighting Illini fans and/or staunch Show-Me State gluttons for punishment are welcome to hang around outside and look for ticket-scalpers. -- Rose Martelli
