HolidayDining Dining Guide and
DECEMBER 2025
HOLIDAY HOURS
Unwrap happiness
Compiled by Abbey Salvemini
The holiday season is the ideal moment to discover thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. And with so many options just a click away, a little planning can go a long way toward easing the stress of the season.
From clever tech gadgets and cozy home comforts to fun finds for fitness fans, there’s something to suit every taste and budget. Here are some top picks to help make your holiday shopping simpler — and a lot more joyful.
Electronics
Amazon Echo Dot
We love the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) because it packs vibrant sound and smarter voice control into a compact, stylish device that fits seamlessly into any room. It’s the perfect gift for tech‑savvy friends or anyone looking to upgrade their daily routine — with hands‑free control, smart home compatibility and the reliable convenience of Alexa at their side.
Price: $49.99
Oura Ring 4 Ceramic
Sleek, durable and smart, the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic delivers 24/7 insights with sleek, jewelry‑like design. The Zirconia ceramic finish is tough, stylish and built to last. Plus, with features like 5‑8 days of battery life and advanced 24/7
tracking across sleep, readiness and activity, it’s a strong pick for someone who takes wellness seriously but wants something elegant on their finger.
Price: $499
Polaroid Now
3rd Generation I-Type Instant Camera + Film Bundle
The Polaroid Now turns everyday moments into instant, tangible keepsakes — no editing required. Its dual‑lens autofocus, self‑timer and double‑exposure modes make it perfect for creative fun, while the body crafted from 40 percent recycled materials blends nostalgia with thoughtful, modern design.
Price: $159.99
Health and Fitness
FEIERDUN
Adjustable Dumbbells
This set stands out by delivering a full‑home gym solution in one package — convertible between dumbbells, a barbell and kettlebells — so you can tackle full‑body workouts without clutter. With its durable build, non‑slip grips and solid safety features, it offers serious value for those who want to get in shape from the comfort of their own home.
Price $129.99
HOKA Running Shoes
The HOKA Clifton is a standout
Top picks for everyone on your list
choice for both men and women, offering plush cushioning and smooth transitions with every step. Its lightweight build and premium comfort make it ideal for someone who loves walking, running or just being on their feet for long hours.
Price: $155
LZYVOO Pocket Leggings
A gift that blends style and function; these leggings with pockets make a practical and stylish gift for anyone on the go. High‑waisted for comfort and support, with deep side pockets for phones, keys or cards, these soft, stretchy leggings easily transition from workouts to running errands — perfect for staying cozy and active this season.
Price: $39.99
Home and Kitchen
Ninja Air Fryer
A must have for any home chef, the Ninja Air Fryer offers a 6.5‑quart capacity and six versatile cooking functions, including air fry, roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate. Plus a Max Crisp mode is for perfectly crispy results with minimal oil. Its non stick, dishwasher‑safe basket and crisper plate make cleanup a breeze, turning everyday meals into convenient, healthier delights — perfect for gifting this season!
Price: $179.99
Aura Carver HD WiFi Digital Picture Frame
The Aura Digital Photo Frame is a standout gift for anyone looking to showcase cherished memories in a modern, effortless way. It offers unlimited photo and video cloud storage (no subscription required), making it simple to send moments from afar directly to the frame — ideal for families who want to stay connected.
Price: $149
UGG Men’s Beckett Robe
Perfect for anyone who loves wrapping themselves in comfort; this robe makes a luxe, cozy gift for the holidays. Crafted in ultra‑plush fleece with a relaxed hooded design, self‑tie belt and side pockets, it’s terrific for staying comfy on chilly mornings or cozying up on the couch during the evenings.
Price: $147.95
Aura Carver
HD WiFi Digital Picture Frame
Amazon Echo Dot
Oura Ring 4 Ceramic
Polaroid Now 3rd Generation I-Type Instant Camera + Film Bundle
FEIERDUN Adjustable Dumbbells
Men’s and Women’s HOKA Running Shoes
UGG Men’s Beckett Robe
Ninja Air Fryer
LZYVOO Pocket Leggings
A gracious guide for how to be a good houseguest
Respect your holiday host
By Mary Hunt
It was shocking, if not surreal. The email message was from a woman I’d never met and whose name I recognized only because, a few months earlier, she mailed me a book she’d written.
The message announced that she and her family were planning a road trip to Disneyland and would just love to stay with us since (at the time) we lived nearby and oh, wouldn’t that be so much fun. She gave a tentative date they would be arriving.
Everything I know about what not to do as a house guest, I learned from that experience, from the moment they drove up (cue music for Cousin Eddie and family from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”) to the time they finally departed.
Full disclosure, because I have friends and relatives who read this column, be it known that all our other house guests have been wonderful. Exemplary. Do not worry. This is not about you.
Invitation
It need not be engraved on parchment, but you do need some indication that you are invited. Do not send a cryptic message (“Looks like we will be in your area in a couple of weeks!”), hoping that will result in an invitation. And for goodness’ sake, don’t just show up.
Specific Dates
Nail down the dates of your visit, and then stick to them. When your host does not offer specific dates,that does not mean to say as long as you like. Listen for subtle clues (“We’ll be super busy toward the end of July”).
Do Not Be Vague
If the two of you plan to arrive with four children, two dogs and the new kitten — spell it out. Do not assume your host will just know this intuitively.
Respect Your Space
Arriving with 16 suitcases and enough toys to keep the children entertained for weeks on end gives the impression that you’ll be taking over the entire house. Bring only what you need and will fit into a guest room, and then make sure it all stays there.
You’re not staying in a hotel, so don’t treat your friend’s home like one. When you’re not in your room, it should look like it did when you arrived.
House Rules
All homes have some rules. If your hosts remove their shoes at the front door, follow suit. Don’t eat in the living room or allow the children to jump on the furniture. Don’t go through every cupboard and drawer in the house (yes, they did, and to the delight of their mother, who remarked that the children are just so curious).
Mind The Children
Talk to your kids —before you travel — about manners, respect and tidiness. Let them know you expect them to pick up their clothing and offer to help with chores.
Transportation
Make sure you have rented a car or figured out public transportation before your arrival. Should your hosts offer the use of a vehicle, return it clean and washed with the gas tank full.
Pitch In
Do not expect your hosts to do all the work. See what needs to be done, and offer to help. And if the hosts prefer for you to sit back and relax, respect their wishes.
Tour Guides
You can graciously invite your hosts to join you at Disney World, but don’t expect that to happen. And don’t assume they will have discount tickets for you. Or that they will watch the children while you go out for a few hours. They are neither your babysitters nor your tour guides.
Leave A Fragrance
Upon your departure, you want to make sure you leave behind a fragrance — not an odor. Clean up after yourselves without being obnoxious. Don’t assume you need to do all the laundry and clean the house before you leave. Just use common sense.
A lovely parting gesture is to leave a handwritten thank you and appropriate gift to let your hosts know how much you enjoyed your stay.
Mind your manners when staying with others for the holidays.
Make Hanukkah special
Many jokes have been shared about the complexity of growing up Jewish surrounded by Christian friends and the overwhelming influence of Christmas come the month of December. Seemingly everywhere you look buildings, stores and homes are decked out in lights and decorations. But Christmas celebrants are not the only ones with reason to be festive this time of year, when Hanukkah is also cause for celebration.
In fact, because the basis of the holiday is rededication to the faith, it very well may be an instrumental celebration for families who may need to find their way back to the roots of their beliefs.
Hanukkah’s festive atmosphere derives almost entirely from home ritual and customs and is dominated by light as a metaphor for spiritual freedom. This is emphasized by special holiday songs, games and foods. While the holiday is steeped in tradition, there are many ways you can add a creative spin to your family’s festivities.
Light: One of the major tenets of Hanukkah is how light can shine and lead a person through dark periods. This is typically exemplified by the lighting of the menorah, which is prominently placed in windows or other visible areas of celebrants’ homes.
This season spend time with someone who may be dealing with an illness or the loss of a loved one. You may be the light that inspires this person each day. Give candles to friends and family members to symbolize the light that will shine in the future.
Oil: Another component of Hanukkah celebrations is the focus on how a one-day supply of oil somehow lasted eight days during the rededication of the temple’s menorah. Many ways to include oil in celebrations exist. Some people like to get creative in the kitchen, serving fried foods and desserts.
Think about giving gifts of oil, such as fragrant essential oils that can be used in potpourri or in the bath or shower. Working alongside their parents, children can see how a wick drenched in oil can serve as an efficient lighting source and decorate the home with these homemade oil lamps.
Bring light out of darkness: There are many ways to make this year’s Hanukkah a real “Festival of Light.” As Rabbi Arthur Waskow writes in his book,“Seasons of Joy,”“Hanukkah is the moment when light is born from darkness, hope from despair.”
Historically, this was reflected in the unlikely victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks, in the oil that brought light for eight days instead of one, and in the very act of lighting candles during the darkest time of the year.
Creative ways to celebrate
Before lighting candles, try taking your family on a night walk. Go outside together and feel how dark it is. Even if you’re in the city, the month of December has a special darkness to it. Then come in from the cold and light the menorah. Feel the contrast between the darkness outside and the light inside.
Eight thoughtful nights: With every candle comes a chance to gather around the menorah and talk about Hanukkah’s lesson. With some planning, a different topic could be discussed each night. Whether it’s the environment, antisemitism, tzedakah, or freedom, Hanukkah delivers eight invitations for learning.
Twenty-five: Bring attention to the number 25, which is significant when celebrating Hanukkah. The word Hanukkah can be divided into two: Chanu, meaning “they rested,” and Kah, which is the numerical value of 25. On the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, the Maccabees rested from their battle with the Greeks and triumphantly marched into the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Make 25 a part of celebrations by inviting 25 people to celebrate with you or ask children to make murals with 25 different adornments.
Charitable giving: Of course, everyone loves to receive gifts, but let’s not forget the satisfaction of giving them. Who hasn’t gotten joy from seeing someone’s face light up when a gift strikes just the right chord? Giving feels good. Beyond our family and friends, Hanukkah can also be a vehicle for giving to those in
need.
Gift-giving is now a component of Hanukkah celebrations, but it wasn’t always. Greater importance was once placed on the lighting of candles to publicize the miracle and evangelize the faith. Some impoverished people could not afford candles, and these people would go door-to-door for candle funds, or “gelt,” to be able to purchase candles and kiddush wine.
Some families prefer to give money rather than gifts to keep with the tradition of Hanukkah gelt. However, families also can incorporate charitable giving in their celebrations as a way to reinforce the customs of giving to the poor.
Rituals and tradition bring families together during the Festival of Lights.
By DiAnne Crown
Feel-good foods
Festive dining that’s both hearty and healthy
If your picture-perfect holiday meal is a turkey with all the trimmings, a roast or even a hearty, creamy stroganoff and a side of mushroom soup-fortified green bean casserole, and a “healthful” plate looks like a few pieces of curly kale sprinkled lightly with lemon juice and olive oil, think again. Here’s how to make your holiday season hearty and healthful.
Transform your favorite recipes
Consider your options before you go grocery shopping to keep the flavor and cut the fat. Let’s start with that stroganoff. The typical main ingredients are beef, onions, mushrooms, noodles, sour cream, Dijon mustard and butter. Replace beef with cubed chicken, half the sour cream with plain low-fat yogurt, and the butter with olive oil.
Dairy substitutions will work in other creamy dishes, and you may find it’s possible to replace all the sour cream with a whole or two percent yogurt and not miss it if you add just a little extra salt, or few aromatic herbs. Transform fat-filled, sodium-laden green bean casserole by sauteeing fresh or frozen petite whole green beans with diced bell peppers and onions. If that’s too far away from the real deal, toast a few canned French fried onions for a garnish. For the timehonored cornbread casserole, make the same substitution for sour cream, omit the cheese, and add an extra egg or two to stretch the dish with extra protein.
Portions, themed parties and new traditions
It’s normal to feel protective of our favorite holiday flavors and fragrances. So aim for balance. Keep the most special foods that would be missed if omitted, such as a favorite fudge recipe, eggnog or pecan pie; cut down on the portion size of those things, and reduce the fats, salt and sugar elsewhere. Serve fish. Countless elegant, delicious dishes are built around fish and shellfish. It’s quick and easy to saute shrimp with snow peas and thinly sliced green onions in a thin coating of grapeseed oil and add a light wine or lemon sauce before serving. Or serve a succulent 6-ounce piece of marinated salmon for a main course that is beautiful and flavorful. Start with a separate salad course to stretch out the meal and allow time for guests to start feeling full, serve the main course with ample vegetables and half a sweet potato drizzled with a little maple syrup or date sugar to
round out the meal.
Create a gathering with an international theme, and make it a potluck. Anyone in your group traveling abroad next year? Are you interested in a foreign country just because it sounds interesting? Design a representative menu of that cuisine at your holiday event.
To make it even more economical and fun, buy one set of the needed specialty ingredients to shared among your guests, then invite each household to choose one of the courses to prepare for the party. The recipe selection will be your job, so find healthful options and no one will notice much, if any,
difference. Add regional music and serve! If your international holiday party is a great success, you may have found a new tradition.
Make it festive
Everyone says it because it’s true: you eat with your eyes first. For your party, use nice dishes, arrange your table attractively and create a visual feast with color, shape and tantalizing aromas, no matter the dishes! A beautiful presentation with enough time to enjoy it will make even carrot sticks and lowfat herb dip enjoyable.
“Bypass the chips and other fried poundpackers and help yourself to a small handful of nuts, reduced-fat cheese and fresh fruit, or chilled shrimp,” WebMD paraphrases Dr. Arthur Agatston as saying.“Or serve a hummus dip with a holiday-themed veggie platter: red or green pepper, zucchini and jicama strips.”
Pay special attention to your food garnishes, colorful nonalcoholic beverages, and table accessories such as candles, napkins and flowers. These will all create the festive feeling of a joyful, satisfying meal together.
Your holiday meals can be both hearty and healthy!
Classic cocktails
Create iconic drinks associated with the holidays
By DiAnne Crown
Pretty, tasty, classic and with something for everyone, this beautiful cocktail, aromatic punch, Champagne sparkler and luscious cream treat will add flare to your festivities this holiday season. And for the purist, a brief look at port wine.
The Maxwell’s Plum
New York City’s legendary Tavern on the Green created this fruity, rich red concoction as an homage to the iconic restaurant of the same name. This “Step Back in Time” recipe from the Tavern on the Green cookbook serves two.
• 4 ounces plum vodka
• 1 ounce Triple Sec
• 1 ounce fresh orange juice
• 4 ounces bottled cherry juice
• 2 slices ripe plum (optional)
Chill two large martini glasses. In a cocktail shaker half filled with ice, combine all the ingredients except the plum slices. Shake energetically for 10 to 20 seconds, and then strain into the chilled glasses. Cut a slit in each slice of plum and slide over the rim of each glass. Serve at once.
Hot Cranberry Brew (nonalcoholic)
The Ravinia Festival, held in Highland Park, Ill., every summer since 1904 except from 1932 to 1935 due to the Great Depression and 2020 due to the pandemic, entertains more than half a million
guests annually. In celebration of the tradition, music and food of the popular festival, The Women’s Board of the Ravinia Festival Association published a cookbook of favorite recipes in 2008. The collection is just as elegant today as when it was published. This recipe makes four quarts.
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons whole cloves
• 2 quarts cranberry juice
• 46 ounces pineapple juice
• 4 1/2 cups water
Place sugar and spices in 30-cup electric coffee pot basket (or reduce the recipe and use a large crock pot.) Add juices and water. Cycle as for coffee (or heat in crock pot until steaming.) Serve hot.
Poinsettia
Three ingredients simply mixed for a beautiful holiday drink — the Poinsettia. Thanks to The Spruce Eats for this recipe that serves two.
• 1 ounce premium orange liqueur
• 6 ounces cranberry juice
• 6 ounces demi-sec Champagne (can substitute cava or proseco sparkling wines if desired)
• Fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish
• Fresh cranberries, for garnish
• Chill the ingredients for an hour or two before mixing.
Pour the orange liqueur and cranberry juice into chilled Champagne flutes. Stir well. Top with the Champagne, add
garnishes and serve.
Eggnog:
For your holiday open house
Those delightful friends who come to celebrate, not count calories, will enjoy this decadent take on a holiday classic by Taste of Home. This version calls for amaretto for the taste of almond and vanilla; brandy or a combination of rum and cognac could be substituted. Or make it family friendly without alcohol. The recipe makes approximately nine cups, or 12 3/4-cup servings.
• 8 eggs
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup amaretto
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• Additional ground nutmeg
In a large heavy saucepan, whisk eggs, sugar and confectioners’ sugar until blended. Stir in milk.
Stirring constantly, cook over low heat about 20 minutes or until mixture is just thick enough to coat a metal spoon and a cooking thermometer reads at least 160 degrees. Do not allow to boil. Remove from heat immediately.
Stir in cream, amaretto, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cover and refrigerate several hours or until cold. Sprinkle servings with additional nutmeg.
Port Wine: A primer
A good glass of port wine, usually three ounces served just below room temperature in a stemware glass, often with a dessert or cheese course, can finish a pleasant evening with warm satisfaction. But not all port is created equal. The cheapest bottles on the shelf are much less rewarding.
Port is a sweet, rich wine made from indigenous grapes of Portugal. According to an article by Wine Folly:“There are several styles of port, including red, white, rose and an aged style called Tawny Port.” With flavor notes of raspberry, blackberry, caramel, cinnamon and chocolate, the article continues,“older, fine Tawny Ports have an even wider array of subtle flavors including graphite, green peppercorn, hazelnut, almond, butterscotch, and graham cracker.“
Look for wines aged for 30 or more years for this level of complexity. Try a few styles and price points. You’ll soon find your favorite.
Celebrate the season with a traditional holiday cocktail or a glass of a special pour.
Play with food
By Kristen Castillo
Kids love holidays even more than adults do. So why not let the kiddos host holiday celebrations of their own?
“When a kid hosts his or her own party, they have more of a sense of ownership,” says blogger Tangela Walker-Craft of Simply Necessary Inc.“If a child hosts his or her own party, they know they are responsible for preparing for the party, making sure it goes smoothly and cleaning up after the party.”
Here’s what you need to know to help your little party-planners throw a memorable get together.
Guest List
Don’t overthink this one. Invite friends and family to join the festivities. Just make sure you’ll have enough seating, food and activities for each guest. Walker-Craft advises matching the child’s age to the guest count.
“If the child is eight, a good number of guests would be eight,” she says.“If he or she is 12, there should be no more than 12 guests.”
Food
When it comes to food, always ask parents about food allergies.
“See it through the eyes of the guest, not hostess,” says blogger Melinda Machado Caldwell of Home Made Interest.
Keep the menu simple. Finger foods — such as sandwiches, pretzels, crackers and chopped fruits and veggies — are always a good idea.
“Make sure the food and drinks are kid friendly; everything served should appeal to a child’s taste buds,” says Walker-Craft.
She recommends making do-it-yourself personal pizzas. mUse flour tortillas as the base, and give kids a choice of toppings: marinara sauce, barbecue sauce, olives, peppers, sausage, bacon and cheddar or mozzarella cheeses. Feel free to get creative. An adult can then take the pizzas and bake them to order.
For dessert, Caldwell recommends creating a sweets bar for the kids to make their own treats.
Creative Fun
Caldwell outlines this fun activity, which turns regular old pudding cups into cute little moose.
First, the kids need to decorate their pudding cup to resemble a moose. Caldwell has templates on her blog for creating moose antlers and moose faces. Print those templates and have them ready for the kids to assemble. Partygoers can use glue dots to attach the antlers, faces and googly eyes to their pudding cups.
Provide ramekins filled with toppings such as Nilla Wafers, Nutter Butters, crumbled Chips
Help your children host a holiday party
Ahoy cookies and Oreos, Crunch ‘n Munch and Poppycock. Let each child mix his or her choice of toppings into a store-bought plastic pudding cup.
Holiday parties are also a great opportunity to get children excited about crafting.
“My grandmother always said it’s best to keep small hands busy,” says Shelley Grieshop, a creative writer for Totally Promotional, who recommends parents help kids make “Smiling Snowman” cups.
“These can be filled with treats and taken home by guests as party favors,” she explains.
Pick up plastic foam cups that come with lids, such as the kind used for to-go soups and coffee. Fill the cups with treats and tightly seal lids.
Then use a small, round sponge and pink paint to give the snowman rosy cheeks. Punch holes from black construction paper to make the eyes. Use a thin paintbrush and black paint for the line of the mouth. Cut a small triangle from a sheet of thick orange felt and glue it to the face to make the nose.
Farewell
Lastly, set limits on the celebration.
“Don’t allow the party to go on for too long,” says Walker-Craft.
Decide the time frame ahead of time and let parents know. Typically, a party lasting a few hours will be adequate. Remember, kids can have fun without your having to host an allnight party. Just be sure the kids and parents know what time the party ends.
As the party winds down, thank guests for attending and encourage the kids to clean up. Don’t be surprised if they already start asking when they can have another get together.
Machado Caldwell says that when kids host their own holiday party, they develop a sense of pride.
“Ultimately, they will appreciate you more after seeing everything that goes into throwing a party,” she says.
Kids can decorate this adorable snowman cup and fill with candies. The craft doubles as a party favor.
By Mary Hunt
Gifting priced right
Impress your family and friends without breaking the bank
Can you feel the tug? It’s the strong pull of the culture that works hard to get the best of us this time of year, to get us to spend more than we should. The best way to counter that force is to have strategies in mind ahead of time, before we feel we have no choice but to give in one more time, one more season.
Consumable Gifts
If your social circle is anything like mine, your gift list is a fairly long one and includes at least some people who are difficult to buy for. The problem with hard-to-buy-for people is that any gift will end up in a closet or the donation box, and that just makes the whole endeavor a big, fat, expensive waste of time and money.
The best solution is to give consumable gifts that are meant to be used up and enjoyed. That’s a gift that delivers a message of love and joy that will remain with the recipient long after the gift has been consumed. That’s a winwin. You lose the guilt and anxiety that insists you must come up with the “perfect” gift that each recipient will treasure for a lifetime, and your recipient loses the obligation to like it, use it, wear it or display it.
Some of my best gifts over the years have been homemade: Madagascar vanilla extract, bacon onion jam, sweet pepper onion relish and freshly roasted Costa Rican coffee beans. Each of these gifts is pretty inexpensive and, although some of them do take some time, most are ridiculously simple to make.
If making a gift isn’t your style, give an edible gift of some kind: a nice bottle of wine, a couple bars of delicious chocolate, summer sausage and cheeses, gourmet popcorn and seasonings. There are so many edible gifts that people will sincerely appreciate.
Decorate In 1, 2, 3
If you have little time and even less money to dress the house for the holidays, no problem! Use what you have and concentrate on just these three areas:
The front door: Drape a garland intertwined with twinkle lights, hang a wreath and you’re done.
The table: Start with a tablecloth, runner, place mats — anything festive and beautiful. Add a big centerpiece. Set the table with the best things you own. Get out the china and crystal. Go all out and reset after every meal.
The mantel: Remove everything. Start with any kind of greens like pine, juniper or magnolia. Step outdoors and look around. If
it’s green, it works! Add candles, ornaments, ribbon, cards and something red: Christmas balls, apples, pomegranates, candles or fabric. Note: If you do not have a mantel but you have a staircase, make that your third area of concentration.
Secret Santa/Hanukkah Harry
At some family holiday celebrations, everyone is expected to give a gift to everyone else, so the end result is that everyone has several cheap gifts while also feeling financially tapped out because of all of the gifts they are obligated to buy.
A much better approach is to adopt a gift exchange. Have everyone draw a name out of a hat of someone else in the exchange (or one designated person can do this for the group), then assign a financial limit. The end result is a lot of fun, unique gifts. Everyone spends less overall and everyone winds up with just one gift that they may actually really like.
Holiday Supplies
Wrapping paper, ribbon, bows and other holiday supplies are so stinking expensive starting late November and into December. Never pay full price again with this one trick: Buy those kinds of items right after Christmas, when the stores put their wrapping paper, bows, tags and other such holiday items on steep discount in order to clear their stock. Buy plenty for the following year then store it with all of your holiday decorations. But do one more thing: Make a note and write it in
your calendar that will remind you what you bought, how much you bought and exactly where it is.
You will bless the day you decided to adopt this strategy. It won’t be this year but next.
Final Thoughts
There are so many clever little things you can do throughout December to save on the holiday season. These strategies, which only scratch the surface, are the ones I have used successfully to cut back on the costs of the holiday season without sacrificing the joy.
Hopefully, some of these moves will help you keep more of your money in your pocket or help you to direct it to areas that you find more fulfilling.
Holiday shopping is one of the easiest ways to throw your budget out the window. Between your kids, friends, colleagues, neighbors and more, your gift list can easily become longer than what your wallet can handle.
A gift of togetherness
Reconnecting this holiday season
By Cheyenne Grace
As the holiday season approaches, our calendars fill with shopping lists, travel plans and end-of-year deadlines. But beneath the hustle and bustle lies a quieter, more meaningful invitation — the chance to reconnect. At its heart, the season is about togetherness: slowing down, reaching out and spending quality time with the people who matter most.
In a year that may have been filled with long stretches of distance, conflicting schedules or life simply getting in the way, this holiday season offers an opportunity to reset. Reconnection doesn’t require perfection or elaborate planning; it just takes intention. Here are some simple ways to nurture that togetherness this season.
Host a cozy gathering. You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect tablescape to bring people together. Invite a small group of friends or family over for a casual potluck or game night. Let everyone bring a dish and their favorite board game. The laughter and conversation will be the main event — and the memories linger far longer than the cleanup. Take a tech-free walk.Bundle up and go for a walk with a loved one —no phones, no distractions. Whether it’s through a
neighborhood lit with festive lights or just a quiet path in the park, walking side by side creates space for deeper, more relaxed conversations.
Revive old traditions or start new ones. Maybe your family always made cookies together or watched the same holiday movie every year. Dust off those beloved traditions, or create your own. Invite friends to a holiday movie marathon, a gingerbread house contest or a low-key brunch with hot cocoa and pajamas.
Write a letter or make a call.Reconnection doesn’t have to be in person. Take time to reach out to someone you’ve drifted from — a childhood friend, a distant relative, a former mentor. A handwritten note or even a thoughtful call can spark meaningful reconnection and let someone know they haven’t been forgotten.
Volunteer together.Helping others is a powerful way to bond. Gather a group to serve at a food bank, wrap gifts for families in need or deliver meals in your community. Shared acts of kindness deepen relationships and create a shared sense of purpose.
Create a “no agenda” day.Sometimes, the best memories come from doing nothing in particular. Set aside a day with loved ones where there’s no plan beyond simply being
together -- making breakfast, playing cards, sharing stories or just taking a nap in the same house. Presence is the most precious gift you can offer.
Reconnecting doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, it’s often the simplest moments that bring the most joy. This holiday season, give yourself permission to slow down. Prioritize people over plans. Make space for real conversations and shared laughter.
Because in the end, it’s not the perfectly wrapped gifts or Instagram-worthy tables that make the season special — it’s the time spent together. This year, let’s lean into the joy of reconnection and remind ourselves of what really matters: love, laughter and the gift of being present.
Togetherness is the true magic of the holidays. Let’s not miss it.
Deck the halls with your friends and family.
Museum adventure
Give the gift of a holiday outing that’s just as fun and rewarding as it is educational
By Polly Jamison
A trip to the museum can be more than a stroll through the halls and a trip to the gift shop. With some planning, your child can also enjoy the anticipation and lasting memories of a wonderful museum experience. But this is no last-minute present. Careful planning can make holiday experience full of memories that will last a lifetime.
Make It Personal
Choose a museum that piques a child’s interest in a new subject or builds on his or her existing understanding of a favorite subject. Natural history museums, aquariums, art and history museums with or without special children’s areas can expand an interested child’s experiences. Special events in living museums present exhibits and experiences of past and future days, which can excite, enlighten and inspire children to not only reflect back but look forward to the future.
In choosing the museum, whether close to home — such as Nassau County Museum of Art or Long Island Children’s Museum — or Manhattan, or even as a destination experience on, for example, a family trip, carefully consider what you know of your child’s interests, learning ability and energy level. Plan for breaks, take along comfort items and decide whether this would be best as a visit with you and just one child or as a family.
Plan Ahead
See where the exhibits are located in order to time the length of your visit, considering the age of your child (and any grandparents who might be participating). You may want to focus on one or two areas of a very large museum for a more relaxing, in-depth visit, especially for younger children. For example, a natural history museum highlight could be the mammals, or ocean life, or dinosaurs, or a special traveling exhibit, and leave
the rest for another visit.
Find out if children are allowed to carry small backpacks in the museum. Collect, or print out at home, brochures, handouts and postcards.
Check out the museum gift shop. Children love gift shops, but they can be expensive. To avoid disappointment, be sure to understand the monetary needs for a gift shop visit.
Consider picking up or ordering a DVD featuring the museum and/or highlight exhibits. The brochures, stickers, pins, DVD and any other items collected or ordered online will go into an actual gift box for under the tree or by the menorah.
Make A Gift Box
Other than the experience itself, this is the most fun part of the preparation. Create a gift box presenting the museum visit as your gift, and include any or all of the following:
√ An invitation to the visit or museum event using the museum brochures, handouts, logo, etc.
√ A T-shirt to wear on visit day, either from the gift shop or hand-decorated using iron-on decals, logos and letters from your local craft shop.
√ A coloring book about the museum and a new box of crayons. Everybody loves a new box of crayons!
√ A small, inexpensive toy, book, pamphlet or puzzle representing the museum.
√ A favorite theme-related snack, such as fish crackers, dinosaur fruit treats, teddy bear grahams or astronaut ice cream.
√ A journal or notebook and stickers for observations, questions and sketches. Design a pamphlet as a passport with places to attach stickers or stamps as you move through the exhibits. This is a fun way to help keep children on track.
√ A simple map of the museum and exhibits so the whole experience <checkmark Money for listening stations, experiential stations, feeding stations and the gift shop.
√ A small backpack, if allowed, to hold items needed for the museum adventure — water bottle, snack, instant camera, outdoor exhibit items such as sunglasses, hat, magnifying glass or binoculars, etc. If the museum doesn’t allow backpacks, it can still be used in the car.
Wrap the box and attach a gift tag with a sticker, sketch or short
notation indicating the special surprise inside. Always keep a gift recipient guessing!
Want More?
Many museums now offer day camps, age-appropriate one- to two-hour exhibit experiences and even overnight sleepovers for adults and children. Check out local and state museums in your area. Very large regional and national museums such as the Smithsonian offer a wide range of experiences for family events with advance reservations.
All children enjoy the anticipation and experience of a shared event, and special mementos that remind them of their visit. A museum experience that builds brainpower and family bonds is worth every minute of your preparation to make it a success.
Create a gift box filled with creative tools that your kids can use to have a memorable day at the museum.
Happy endings
New twists on a traditional holiday recipe
Everyone loves traditional holiday fare
— mom’s stuffing, grandma’s sugar cookies, or that best-kept secret recipe that keeps friends and family coming back for more. But where does tradition end and boring begin?
Small (think mini) desserts are all the rage these days. Here’s a version that puts a new spin on the age-old finale to the holiday meal — the pie.
Blue Ribbon Raisin Apple Hand Held Pies
Raisin apple filling:
• 1 1/2 cups chopped tart apples
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 cup California raisins
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Blue ribbon pastry:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon white granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks
• 1/3 cup vegetable shortening
• 4-5 tablespoons cold water
• Egg wash (1 egg mixed with a pinch of salt) For filling, combine apples, brown sugar, water, lemon juice and raisins in 2-quart saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until apples are just tender. Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt and spices together well, and add liquid from cooking apples to make slurry. Then, add all to pan with apples and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and butter. Set aside to cool.
Meanwhile for pastry, measure flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon into large bowl and with pastry blender, fork or two knives, cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing after each addition until flour is moist and dough just holds together. Turn onto lightly floured surface; knead together and shape into flattened disk. Divide into 4 equal pieces; wrap separately in plastic wrap or wax paper and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 F. On lightly floured surface, roll out pastry dough, one piece at a
time, and cut each piece into 4 small rounds with 3 1/2- or 4-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 scant tablespoon filling just below center on each piece; moisten edges and fold over, sealing edges with fork. Arrange on baking sheet and prick tops of each handheld pie in several places with fork or cut one small slit with sharp knife. Beat 1 egg with pinch of salt for egg wash and brush onto pies. Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned. Cool and serve. Makes 16 individual pies.
Pumped-Up Pumpkin Pie Bites
This recipe from author and celebrity chef Devin Alexander combines whole-grain cereal with maple syrup, cinnamon, agave nectar and other ingredients for a bite-size holiday treat.
• Butter-flavored cooking spray
• 3/4 cup whole grain, crunchy, high-fiber, lowsugar cereal
• 2 tablespoons 100 percent pure maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 8 large egg whites
• 1 can (15 ounces) solid pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup agave nectar
• 2 tablespoons whole-wheat pastry flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup “Cut the crap” whipped topping
(recipe below)
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Lightly mist an 11-by-7-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with spray. Add the cereal to food processor fitted with chopping blade. Process for 15 to 20 seconds or until the cereal is crushed. Transfer to a small mixing bowl and add the maple syrup and cinnamon. Mix them until well-combined. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Gently press down on the cereal mixture, spreading it evenly across the bottom of the dish. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, or until slightly browned. Set aside.
Meanwhile, add the egg whites to a large mixing bowl. Using a sturdy whisk, lightly beat them until they bubble very slightly. Still using the whisk, stir in the pumpkin, agave and flour until well-combined. Stir in the vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder and salt and continue mixing until well-combined. Pour the filling over the baked crust. Using a rubber spatula, spread it into an even layer.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry. Transfer the dish to a wire cooking rack, allowing it to cool to room temperature. Carefully cut 32 pumpkin bites. Just before serving, top each bite with 1 teaspoon whipped topping, if desired. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Makes 16 servings.
Cut the crap” whipped topping:
• 3/4 cup light agave nectar
• 3 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Add water to a medium saucepan until about 1/4 full. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Off the heat, combine the agave, egg whites and cream of tartar in a large metal or heavy-duty glass mixing bowl (that fits atop your saucepan).
Beat on medium-high with an electric mixer fitted with beaters until well-blended. Place the bowl over the pot of boiling water. (Wear an oven mitt while holding the bowl over the heat, as it will get very hot). Beat for about 7 minutes, occasionally running the beaters around the sides of the bowl, until stiff peaks form. Remove the bowl from the water and continue beating for 5 to 7 minutes more, rotating the bowl and scraping down the sides with the beaters, or until the mixture is thick, fluffy and has very stiff peaks. Makes about 6 cups.
That sweet finish to the holiday meal doesn’t have to be over the top. Think small for an impressive yet inspired treat.
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