We’ve blinked and it’s that time of year again time  for holiday parties and festive outings. But even the most seasoned partygoers and throwers could use some pointers. Our “Field Guide to Holiday Entertaining” will help you identify everything from what to wear to what to make to what to drink to what to bring. The objective is for every single person to have the very best night. Cheers!

Three Festive Outfits for All of Your Holiday Gatherings

BH&CO
Owner Kohli Flick put together three looks for us, below. A ladies’ holiday dinner/white elephant gift exchange, a work cocktail party, and finally, a New Year’s Eve fête.

An Ode to The Ugly Sweater

Sam Barsky, artist/knitter of sweaters at @sambarskyknitter

“Throughout most of the 1990s, when I was in college, I had a desire to learn how to knit and make sweaters. I finally learned how in 1999, and about a year later, I was designing my own sweaters. Once I realized I could make sweaters depicting anything, it just seemed natural to include holidays in my collection. And Hanukkah was one of the first for which I made a sweater. When others hear the flames glow in the dark, they become interested in seeing this. The flames are made of glow-in-the-dark yarn. I guess the Hanukkah one is popular because of all its bright colors, and Hanukkah is a time when people have a lot of joy.”

Old Bay knit sweater, Route One Apparel.

What to Bring

Seven Rules to Be the Perfect Guest

Katey Clark, Creative Director and Owner Lemon & Lime Event Design

RSVP on Time
Don’t wait for the host to ask if you saw their invite.
Get that RSVP out within 48 hours of receiving it.

Don’t Cancel Unless Truly Necessary
We get it, the holiday season is the busiest time of the year, and nothing sounds better after a busy day of work, sports carpooling, and dinner prep than  parking it on the couch. Unless you or a family member is truly sick, get to that party and have a blast.

Dress Up
Unless noted, most holiday parties encourage festive cocktail attire. Show the host your appreciation and excitement by dressing to impress. Less is not more here.

Bring Breakfast for the Morning
Your host will get plenty of wine and flowers. Bring over muffins, bagels/spread, or a quiche for them to heat up in the morning for an easy breakfast after a late night.

Mingle
Be kind and genuine. Don’t hesitate to approach new people and show interest as you’re talking to them. Avoid making negative comments on the food, guests, or host.

Clean Up
If kids are invited, budget 10 minutes for your kids to help clean up before you leave. Set a timer and make it fun in hopes other children also join. Kids can destroy a basement in a matter of minutes and this gesture goes a very long way.

Thank You Notes Are a Must
A handwritten note will show your gratitude and help your words to stand out. Handwritten notes are becoming a lost art and will truly impress the host.

How to Set the Table

Table Setting Tips and Tricks

Select Event Group

The Focal Piece: To make a cohesive tablescape, we recommend starting with one element in the setting and building from that. For example, find a component that is a must on your table, whether it’s florals, linens, or even something as small as a napkin. These can be the building block for the rest of the table. Whether it’s a pattern or a color scheme, having one item act as inspiration will bring everything together in a beautiful and creative way.

Flatware Positioning: Don’t forget, for a seated holiday dinner, forks will always go to the left of the plate, with knives and spoons on the right. And the dinner knife’s sharp edge should be facing the plate.

Napkin Folds: Don’t underestimate the importance of a nice napkin. It can make all the difference when it comes to elevating your tablescape, even for a simple buffet. For a seated dinner, try a  ribbon tie with a festive plaid trimming or use pinecones or berries as place-card holders next to a simply folded napkin.

What to Make

Aunt Effie’s Cheese Straws

Laura Lippman, Prolific Author

1 lb New York sharp cheddar
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter or margarine
Sawa cookie press

The following is from my mother’s handwritten recipe card; comments in parentheses are mine.

Cream grated cheese and butter well with your hands. (With your literal hands, so please wash them first.) Sift dry ingredients together and blend by hand slowly into cheese and butter. (No, seriously, use your hands.) Mix well. (With your hands.)

(Make sure you buy a Sawa with an instruction manual. Use the disc with a single jagged line, sort of like a robot was frowning. Don’t overfill it. The dough is very hard to press, and you will need to practice getting the hang of it, but eventually you will start pumping out ridged rectangles 2-3 inches in length.)

Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-12 min. on an ungreased cookie sheet. Timing always varies. Do not let them brown on top. Look for light browning on the bottom. They should be cooled on racks. They freeze exceptionally well.

Potato Latkes & Applesauce

Shelly Hettleman, Maryland State Senator

2 lbs potatoes (preferably Idaho)
1 medium onion
4 eggs
2-4 tbsp matzo meal
Salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup olive oil

Peel and shred potatoes. Peel and chop onion. Combine potatoes and onion. Add eggs, matzo meal, salt, and pepper; mix well and quickly.

Place oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Spoon potato mixture into hot oil; press lightly to flatten. When bottoms of latkes are golden brown, turn and brown the other side. Remove latkes from pan and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve immediately or collect on cookie sheet and keep warm in the oven.

Applesauce
3 lbs apples
1 cup water
1/4 tsp cinnamon and/or grated lemon zest
1/3 – 1/2 cup sugar or to taste

Wash, core, and quarter apples. Place apples in a saucepan. Add water and cinnamon and/or lemon zest and bring to a boil. Simmer 30 minutes or until the apples are soft. Use a masher or plunge blender in apple mixture to desired thickness. Add sugar and stir to dissolve. Chill to desired temperature.

Mistletoe Shortbread Cookies

Amanda Mack, Owner of Crust By Mack

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup frozen raspberries
1/2 cup sliced almonds
3 tablespoons granulated sugar

In a medium bowl, beat butter, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla at medium speed using a hand mixer, two to three minutes until creamy. Sift together flour and salt, gradually adding it to the butter mixture. Shape into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for two hours. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 2 1/2-inch fluted round cutter, cut dough into 24 cookies, rerolling scraps only once. Using a 1-inch fluted round cutter, cut into the center of each cookie, making a wreath. Place 1 inch apart on prepared pans.

Flatten frozen raspberries between two fingers and gently press into dough. Arrange almonds and raspberries around the cookie to make a wreath and generously sprinkle cookies with granulated sugar.

Bake 10-12 minutes. Let cool completely on pans before removing. Enjoy.

How to Decorate

First Impressions

Local Color Flowers

Front-door wreaths are a classic and timeless way to add a touch of festivity to your holiday party and set the tone for guests as they arrive at your home. It says the party is here. A door wreath is like putting fancy stamps on an envelope—it’s letting everyone know there is something special inside.

Where to Sit

How to Make Your Home Super Comfy and Versatile for Your Guests

Raina Smallwood, Owner of Adorn Vintage

This white vinyl swivel armchair is the perfect seat to gather around as loved ones spin tales of holidays past. And it’s a twofer—offering both sleek design and maximum comfort.

This folding stadium bench is the best seat in the house. Perfect for a trio of cousins cutting up in the corner. And when the show moves, these seats can too.

These retro dining chairs will have all of the aunties reminiscing about the good ’ol days. A set of four makes for great seating at the holiday card game. High backs, high seats, and high comfort keep the games going.

These lightweight swivel barstools will keep you on top and in the mix, and are the perfect pair to flank the bar cart and provide a little extra seating. It’s not the holidays without a little holiday cheer, and finding seats closest to the bar setup is a great way to keep the party going.

This vintage tufted sofa will be the evening’s star player. After the food coma has set in, everyone will fight for a seat on this comfy three-seater.

What to Nibble On

Cheese, Please

Prigel Family Creamery

A cheese plate is the perfect way to kick off an evening as friends are pouring their first glass of bubbly and want just a little something savory as the night revs up.

What to Drink

The Cardinal

Brendan Dorr, Dutch Courage

1.5 oz. Farmers Organic Gin
0.5 oz. Fonseca Bin 27 Port
0.75 oz. Lime Juice
1 dash Angostura Bitters
0.75 oz. Spiced Red Currant Syrup (see recipe)

Shake with ice. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice. Top with Topo Chico soda. Garnish with a dehydrated lime and skewered cranberries.

Spiced Red Currant Syrup (yields nearly 2 quarts of syrup)
4 cups sugar
4 cups organic cranberry juice
2 cups dried red currants
2 whole cinnamon sticks
15-20 whole allspice berries
5 whole star anise pods
5-10 whole cloves
1 crushed nutmeg pod

Combine all ingredients, except the sugar, in a large pot over medium-high heat until simmering. Let it simmer for 10 min., until red currants are rehydrated. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve. Let simmer for an additional 10 min., then remove from heat. Allow to cool, then strain out whole ingredients. Bottle the syrup and store it in the refrigerator until ready for use.

Mole Manhattan

Jake Tarr, Bunny’s Buckets and Bubbles

1.25 oz. Mezcal
1.25 oz. Amaro Montenegro,
0.5 oz. Ancho Reyes Chili Liqueur
3 dashes Angostura Cocoa Bitters

Stir and strain all ingredients into a chilled coupe. Garnish with an expressed or flamed orange peel.

The (Spirit-Free) Bar

Darryl Collins, founder of Hopscotch Zero Proof Bottle Shop

The days of offering sober guests limited options are long gone. There are now dozens of delightful non-alcoholic wines, beers, and spirits that allow you to savor the flavor without the burden of a buzz. Consider making a non-alcoholic holiday punch that everyone can enjoy, allowing guests to add a libation of choice to their individual glass if they wish. That way the host can make sure everyone at their gathering has a great time

What to Listen To

Holiday Mix

WTMD Disc Jockeys

In honor of WTMD’s 20th anniversary, enjoy this compilation of festive songs.

Lace Up Those Skates

12/07: Skate with Santa
Looking to switch up the visit to mall Santa? Catch him taking a break from his busy toy-making schedule and skating around the Inner Harbor. The first 100 kids to skate will receive a Christmas hat perfect for keeping warm and being festively fashionable. Inner Harbor Ice Rink, 201 E Pratt St, 2p.m.-4p.m.

12/10: SkateFest
The Baltimore holiday season isn’t complete without an evening gliding around the ice rink in the Inner Harbor. Bring family and friends for $10 dollar admission, including skate rentals, and hit the ice on this special night benefiting Special Olympics Maryland. Inner Harbor Ice Rink, 201 E Pratt St, 6 p.m.-8p.m.

12/22: Chanukah on Ice
Start the Chanukah festivities before sunset with an afternoon on the ice with the Downtown Baltimore Jewish Community Center. Make arts and crafts with the kids and skate to Chanukah music before heading to McKeldin Square for the Baltimore Chanukah Festival and Menorah Lighting Ceremony. Inner Harbor Ice Rink, 201 E Pratt St, 2p.m.-4:30p.m.

12/01-1/5: Outdoor Rooftop Skating Rink
Take your skating skills to the top of the Four Seasons Baltimore’s Harbor Terrace-turned-outdoor ice-rink. Decked out with twinkling lights, festive music, and wintery decor, the rink also offers tasty treats like European-style hot chocolate and hot toddies. Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, 200 International Drive, 2p.m.-7p.m.

Sip Spirits in the Snow

12/7: Holiday Spirits on the Rocks: A Drinks Party

Party amongst in the presence of art at the Walters Art Museum’s festive cocktail tasting. Test traditional and creative cocktails mixed by bartenders from the Baltimore Bartenders’ Guild while strolling through the Walters’ new exhibition Designing the New. Proceeds benefit the Walters’ exhibitions and education programs. Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. 7p.m.-10p.m. (410) 547-9000

12/7: Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl
Don’t let your gaudiest sweater go to waste. This costume-friendly Power Plant Live bar-crawl features five bars and an after party along with complimentary drinks, a $500 costume contest, and professional photographers to capture the holiday cheer. 10 Market Place, 4p.m.-12a.m. 410-223-1105

12/7: Sharp Dressed Man Holiday Party

If you prefer blazers over ugly sweaters, Christopher Schafer Clothier is hosting its third Sharp Dressed Man Holiday Party. Pay any amount at the door, with proceeds benefiting the shop’s recycled suit program to dress those in need. Come out for a night of funky tunes, tasty food and drinks, and try your hand at a raffle for a custom, top-of-the-line CSC suit. Christopher Schafer Clothier, 1400 Aliceanna Street, 7p.m.-11p.m.

12/11: Cookies & Cocktails: A Tour Through Harbor East

Finish up your holiday shopping on this tasty quest for treats and hot drinks through Harbor East. Stop by the holiday-themed cocktail bar for a signature drink and then browse around neighborhood shops. Participating retailers will feature unique cookies in their stores and $10 reserves your spot on the tour. Limited on-site tickets are available. 650 S. Exeter Street, 2nd floor, 6p.m.-9p.m.

12/14: Pet Photos with Santa

Arguably, dogs and cats don’t know what holidays are. But, at this event, you can make the holidays better for furry friends rescued by Maryland SPCA—which is partnering with Union Craft Brewing to host a pet-centered holiday gift drive. Bring your own pets to meet Santa, swipe a new toy at the “flea-less” holiday market, and make the most of “Yappy Hour” to grab a craft beer and some delicious food for yourself. 1700 W. 41st St., 12-3p.m.

12/14: Baltimore Santa Crawl

Get out that Santa suit, throw on a pair of reindeer ears, or dress in your elf get-up for this night of holly jolly drinking. The costumed excursion celebrating the holiday season features stops at ten Fells Point bars, DJs, all-day discounted drinks and holiday shots, and a refillable Santa mug. Varying check-in bars, 1p.m.-4:30p.m.

12/19: CityLit Holiday Happy Hour

Baltimore book-lovers and writers come together at this vibrant celebration of the literary life at the Motorhouse. Grab a half-priced happy hour drink and toast to another successful year of writing, meet and greet other local writers, and celebrate all the 2020 writing endeavors that lie ahead. Motorhouse 120 W. Baltimore Avenue, 5p.m.-8p.m.

Have Some Festive Family Fun

12/7: 32nd Annual Baltimore Parade of Lighted Boats
Boats covered in colorful lights arranged in holiday scenes float by at the 32nd-annual Baltimore Parade of Boats. More than 50 vessels parading through the Inner Harbor and Fells Point will be visible from any area where you can see the water—starting at the Anchorage Marina on Boston Street. The event includes carols hosted by a local choir and a grand ornamental Christmas tree. Anchorage Marine, 2501 Boston St. 6p.m.

12/7: Olde Tyme Christmas
Highlandtown brings a day of non-stop Christmas celebration starting with a friendly visit from Santa Claus himself. Catch St. Nick’s arrival in Fell’s Point via tugboat, grab breakfast with him, and snap a picture with him and the family. The celebration also includes a 15-batch eggnog tasting and contest, a festive family fun-zone complete with face painting and DIY ornaments, “carole-oke”, and the lighting of the tree at Broadway Square. Broadway Square, 9a.m.-6p.m.

12/8: Patterson Park Pagoda Lighting
Come watch the stars and snowflakes that dress the Pagoda blink on for the fifth-annual lighting at Patterson Park. The community kick-off takes the celebrations into the night with live music and food trucks. Bring the whole family to meet Santa and other holiday characters, squeeze in some Christmas shopping with local gift vendors, or donate what you can at the toy drive. Patterson Park Pagoda, 2601 E Baltimore St. 4:30 – 6:30 P.M.

12/12: Enoch Pratt Free Library Holiday Celebration
The Enoch Pratt Govans Branch invites the whole family to make fresh holiday crafts during this evening of holiday cheer. As you craft, snack on refreshments and listen to a performance by the Friends School of Baltimore’s chorus. The holidays are the best time to give your local library some love. Enoch Pratt, Govans Branch, 5714 Bellona Avenue, 6p.m.-7:30p.m.

12/1-12/15: Festival of Trees
Decorations 200 years ago may not have featured twinkling electric lights and animatronic Santas, but you can bet holiday decor looked just as magical at the historic Museum of Frederick County History residence when it was built in 1820. Head to the museum to explore a sea of trees decorated by friends, neighbors, and local businesses—and vote for your favorite. 24 East Church St., Frederick 21701, Wed.-Sat. 10a.m.-4p.m., Sun 1-4p.m.

12/28: Kwanzaa Celebration
African dance, drumming performances, and an African marketplace celebrating the principle of Ujima—collective work and responsibility—make up this joyful Kwanzaa celebration at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Come for the dancing and shopping, or the learning through workshops, lectures, and craft activities that teach principles of Kwanzaa like unity, self-determination, and creativity. The Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 East Pratt Street, 11a.m.-4p.m.

12/21-1/1:12 Days of Science
Tis the season to experiment. Explore “Sweet Street,” a massive candy village, gaze into the stars with the help of gingerbread astronomers, or celebrate a New Year’s Eve countdown and ball drop (12 hours early, so you can get your little ones back in bed before the evening festivities start). Head downtown to the Maryland Science Center to check out the full festivities. 601 Light St., Tue.-Fri- 10a.m.-5p.m., Sat. 10a.m.-6p.m., Sun. 11a.m.-5p.m.

1/11: Harbor Point Ice Festival
At that time of year when Baltimoreans typically stay inside to avoid the blustering wind and bitter cold, the Harbor Point Ice Festival gives us the chance to wrap up, come together and warm our hearts in a magical winter wonderland. Kids and grown-ups alike will marvel at the incredible ice sculptures, enjoy live music and food vendors, and kick off the New Year with an afternoon of fun. 1310 Point St., 12-6p.m.

See a Merry Performance

12/12: The Stoop Holiday Hootenanny: An Evening of Stories and Music
Come together with your friends and neighbors at York Road’s Senator Theater for an evening of cocktails, a bluegrass performance from local father-son duo Ken and Brad Kolodner, and some good ol’ fashioned Baltimore City storytelling. This Stoop stomp is sure to keep you inspired throughout the season. The Senator Theatre, 5904 York Road, 7p.m.

12/12-12/15: Cirque Nutcracker
Tchaikovsky’s staple holiday ballet The Nutcracker gets a high-flying and humorous twist from the talented Troupe Vertigo. Acrobats, jugglers, strong-men, and aerialists join the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s live accompaniment to perform scenes of imaginative and inspiring choreography. Join them at the BSO for a jaw-dropping night of family entertainment. Meyerhoff Symphony Hall 1212 Cathedral Street, various times

12/13: Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
If a masterful and traditional ballet-experience is more your style, the Moscow Ballet brings three companies of 36 award-winning Russian ballerinas and dancers each—as well as Ballet Masters hailing everywhere from Moscow to Kyoto—to create an innovative show of flying puppets, vibrant colors, and rose-shooting cannons. Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N Eutaw St, varying times

12/20: A Gospel Christmas
Baltimore Plays, a series that showcases Baltimore’s most talented independent acts, rings in the Christmas season with songs of faith, hope, and holiday cheer. Gospel singer-songwriters Marc Avon Evans, Kevin Jackson, and Soul Centered bring their talent to lift the spirits at Creative Alliance. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Avenue, 8 p.m.

12/21: Holiday Spectacular
Nothing rings in the holiday season like tap-dancing Santas. The exciting new program at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall transports you to a holiday haven, featuring the fan-favorite Santas, an audience sing-along, and a few other musical surprises. Stay in the holiday spirit and check out the opportunities for family photos, holiday cookies, and ornament shopping in the lobby. 1212 Cathedral Street, 7p.m.-10p.m.

12/6-12/24: A Christmas Carol
This twist on the holiday classic places Ebenezer Scrooge in Victorian Baltimore. Revisit the classic story—with Chesapeake ghosts of Christmas past, present, and yet-to-come—and celebrate local history in this unique adaptation. Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Theater,7 S. N Calvert Street, 2p.m.

12/28: WWE Live Holiday Tour
Gift the wrestling fans in your life a chance to see their favorite WWE superstars live at Royal Farms Arena featuring Seth Rollins, Kofi Kingston, AJ Styles, Becky Lynch, Roman Reigns, Charlotte Flair and more. Don’t miss the chance to see the over-the-top smackdowns in person. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W Baltimore St, 7:30p.m.

Sprint Into 2020

12/7: Jingle Bell Run 5K

Get your jingle on at this celebration of feeling good while doing good, where 100 percent of your registration fee supports the work of the Arthritis Foundation. Say yes to living life to the fullest and beating arthritis for good while you strut your stuff in your favorite holiday costume. Plus, refresh yourself with the brisk harbor breeze along this circuit starting at Rash Field. 201 Key Hwy, 8:00 a.m.

12/7: Patterson Park 5K and Homebrew Tasting

Are you a runner, sipper, or just someone who wants to support educational opportunities for kids in Baltimore? If any of these apply to you, check out B More Global’s fun run—which will wind its way through Patterson Park and end up at a beer garden celebration. With live music, a homebrew tasting, and cash prizes for the top finishers, there’s something for everyone in this packed day of festivities. Patterson Park, 2601 E. Baltimore St., 11a.m.

12/8: Chanukah Hot Chocolate

How do you make a delicious cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day even more tempting? Well, have it waiting for you on the finish line of a 5K, of course. This course starts at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore and winds through scenic (mostly flat) local neighborhoods. Check out a great way to kick of Chanukah that’s fun for everyone! 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills, 7:30a.m.

12/8: Homewood Holiday 5K and 2.5K Relay

Winding a path along the edge of Wyman Park, climbing the long slope up Charles Street, and finishing at the Homewood Field 50-yard line, this course will offer you a beautiful views of the Johns Hopkins campus. Stick around after the race for a celebration with beer (race participants get a complimentary mug), costume contest, and live music. 111 W. University Parkway, 9:45 a.m.

12/8: Winter RUNderland

Starting at Charm City Run in Fells Point and finishing at the store’s location in Locust Point, this course around the promenade will feature holiday-themed stops and end in a hot chocolate party. Don your ugliest sweater or grab a Santa hat, because your fellow runners will be decked out in holiday gear to celebrate the season. Plus, donate new and gently used winter gear to Back On My Feet Baltimore. 1500 Thames St., 10a.m.-12p.m.

12/15: Holiday Hustle 5K

With the chaos of wrapping up the year, wrapping up gifts for friends and family, and all the other plans that pop up, the holidays certainly demand some hustle. Head to Harford Community College for this race supporting local nonprofit Harford Family House to help families in need get through their own holiday hustle. 401 Thomas Run Rd., Bel Air, 9-11a.m.

I am a not a Christmas person. I think December is a super fun month because the long nights are cozy and exciting and there are lots of parties and lights everywhere, but the actual 25th part has never done it for me. I’m married to someone who shares this lack of enthusiasm, which means the extent of our yuletide glee is getting wine-drunk while watching Elf and then turning our attention to Rob’s birthday and New Year’s Eve, which are both the following week.

But now we have a child and we don’t get to be the terrible neighbors in Christmas Vacation anymore. We have to become the Griswolds.

In that spirit, we took our kid to meet Santa. (Step one of Griswolding is creating a file of proof that you actually did Christmasy things, lest your child’s future therapist sadly whisper to his parole officer: “If only they had celebrated the holidays more enthusiastically…” ). We headed to Rawlings Conservatory figuring, if we were going to stand in line with 400 people, it may as well be in a beautiful place. To our absolute delight, Santa was sitting alone in a room filled with poinsettias and he and Lou posed for pictures and got along swimmingly. We strolled through the desert room, fed the massive koi fish in the pond, and headed to Hampden to catch the tail end of the Mayor’s Parade. A dream situation for our first weekend of letting go of Christmas disdain.

Our hearts slightly thawed, we headed to Amuse Toys in Fells Point where we spent the morning playing with toys and chatting with owner Claudia Towles about gifts for toddlers. Below is a gift guide for the little ones organized by your role in the giftee’s life. May the dim light of our Christmas spirit inspire yours to burn more brightly.

Gift For Your Boss’s Kid or Another Obligatory Recipient

The prices are right, they invite both imagination and fine motor skills to the table, and they both say, “I thought of your child this Christmas season because I would like a raise in Q1 2017.” Yes, the music set makes musical sounds (and sounds are the enemy of sleep) but the card writes itself (“A gift for your brilliant little Mozart! xoxo, Your Subordinate.”) And puzzles are always, always a good gift.

Gift For Your Best Friend’s Kid or Best Frenemy’s Kid

My life can now be organized into two epochs: Pre-Melissa & Doug and Post-Melissa & Doug. I don’t know them—maybe they’re unhappily married or divorced, but still good friends or siblings or pseudonyms for two of the Shiloh-Pitts—either way they’ve recently become really important in our lives. They produce a ton of children’s toys (check them out online, but definitely buy from Amuse because they seem to choose the sturdiest stuff and you should shop local, you animal) and we’re slowly building our toy stockpile with their wares. The Latch Board is perfect to keep little hands busy at restaurants or on car/plane trips, and the pots and pans are an incredibly devious way to ensure your friend’s local wine shop stays open.

Gifts For Your Niece or Nephew aka Future Hand-Me Downs

If you’re related to them, you’ve got to up the ante. And more importantly, you’ve got to give gifts you’ll want to inherit when it’s your turn to have kids. This camera is beautiful and will teach your young family members that before iPhones there were other means of producing images. And the Thunderlane is just extremely cool. Lou has a race car version and zooms around the house using it as an extension of his hand. They’re gifts that stand the test of time and will earn you some major familial points.

Gift For Your Grandkid or Own Kid, Which Will Basically Because Home Décor

Little kids are excellent scooters and bouncers. Indulge their talents with the Rody Horse (whose name says Horse but whose ears scream Donkey) or the Micro Mini. Both look super cool, which really starts to matter as the assault of primary colored-toys take over your home, and both will last a long time and grow with your child. The Micro converts from a seated ride to a big kid scooter, making the price tag much friendlier to your wallet.

(Big thanks to Lou’s buddy, Will, for modeling the Rody. And also thanks to Will’s mom for putting shoes on her kid, illuminating the fact that our child is in socks in December. We bought him shoes immediately after this picture was taken, I promise.)

While December often hits Baltimore with slick sidewalks and the occasional heap of sooty snow, winter settles gently over Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Quiet harbors slowly ice in, waves of Canadian geese float in endless Vs over the stubble of empty cornfields. Here, the holidays are spent with family and friends, your wool socks kicked up by the woodstove, and your spoon scraping the dregs from a mug of oyster stew. It’s a place where the year’s bitter end is celebrated by traditions glowing with the patina of time and a connection to community, to the landscape, and to the Chesapeake Bay.

There’s never a better time of year to trade the glare of crowded shopping malls for something more authentic on the other side of the Bay Bridge. Whether it’s a crisp, rosy-cheeked foray to pick the perfect Blue Spruce, the electric glow of a crab basket Christmas tree, or a muskrat diving into the New Year, there’s something sure to spark every seasonal spirit, humbugs and all.

Winter Waterland

In Baltimore, we have our hub caps, but across the Bay, nothing says “Happy holidays!” with a stronger Eastern Shore accent than a Christmas tree made of crab bushel baskets—an iconic piece of Chesapeake culture.

On December 1 at 5 p.m., kick off the seasonal festivities with a sky-high (and frankly spectacular) example that lights up at the beginning of the annual Cambridge Christmas Parade. A Dorchester County tradition for 70 years, it is a truly timeless piece of Chesapeake Americana and small-town nostalgia at its best. Held in the heart of the historic district, it features marching bands playing covers of “Jingle Bell Rock,” local kids throwing candy from sparkling floats, and Santa riding on a fire truck.

On December 1, Rock Hall gets in on the action with the lighting of their very own crab basket tree after Santa’s arrival via fishing charter boat. Welcomed by eager crowds and accompanied by live music courtesy of the local community marching band (including one hand-shaking, baby-hugging mascot crab), Saint Nick makes his way Pied-Piper-style from the public landing to Main Street, where he’ll post up near the tree to take requests from those on his Nice List.

On December 8, Tilghman Island gets in on the action at the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center with the lighting of another unique Eastern Shore Christmas tree—this one made of hundreds of stacked wire crab pots—followed by one of the shore’s several illuminated boat parades. Watch from the shoreline as the island’s floating fleet of classic Chesapeake workboats, including deadrises, skipjacks, and other iconic vessels, shed their work-day dredges for a splashy array of holiday lights that reflect softly on the bay.

Yuletide Tunes

If you think Christmas carols simply mean sweetly corny songs, funny bonnets, and that one tone-deaf singer never quite hitting his or her notes, you’ve never experienced the magic of classic holiday jams given the Postmodern Jukebox treatment.

On December 1, check out Motown & More, A Holiday Celebration at Easton’s venerable Avalon Theatre, where a six-piece ensemble of musicians and vocalists with serious chops redefine the meaning of Christmas slay with smooth covers of old favorites such as “Santa Baby” and “Silent Night.” The vintage hits keep coming on December 7 when the Avalon also hosts the Glenn Miller Orchestra Holiday Show. This iconic 18-member troupe is a time-machine to the era of Bing Crosby crooners and Big Band swing-dance classics, with plenty of throwback holiday favorites mixed in.

For a concert that covers more than just Christmas, check out Chester River Chorale’s December 1 concert up the road in Chestertown for arrangements of Chanukah and Christmas songs in a celebration of both the secular and the sacred.

Party Like Charles

If you do enjoy classic Christmas carols, be sure to visit Chestertown from December 7-9, when the Kent County town embraces its inner Fezziwig during the second annual Dickens of a Christmas Festival.

From top hats to plum pudding, fire dancers to Dickens-inspired street theater, Chestertown goes full Victorian all weekend long. Partake in a “Run Like the Dickens” 5K, participate in family-friendly gingerbread house workshops, tour historic houses, take afternoon teas, and attend a costumed 19th-century ball sure to be packed with bustles and waistcoats. On Saturday evening, High Street transforms into an open-air jubilee featuring live entertainment, microbrews, and convivial, communal fire pits—a perfect way to start the evening before heading to a performance of (what else?) Tiny Tim’s A Christmas Carol at the Garfield Center for the Arts.

Farther south, Berlin also celebrates the holidays with an entire month of Victorian Christmas with a decorated downtown, old-fashioned carriage rides, live music, and late-night shopping.

Shop ’Til You Drop

The Eastern Shore has plenty of festive alternatives to perfunctory online shopping—no coupon codes necessary. Pick up something special IRL (that’s “in real life,” to the non-millennials) at these hometown holiday shopping events infused with local spirit.

On December 2, head to Kennedyville in Kent County for the Rivers to Canal Wineries Holiday Sip & Shop. Hosted by Crow Vineyards from Kent County, as well as Broken Spoke Vineyards and Chateau Bu-De from Cecil County, the vino-fueled fete is a great place to both taste new local wines and pick up a few bottles of your favorites for top-notch stocking stuffers.

If your vibe is more Etsy than Amazon, make way to Talbot County on December 7-9 to check out St. Michaels’ Marketplace and Sweet Shoppe, hosted by the town’s year-round Christmas store, for an old-school holiday bazaar. Browse original paintings, handmade jewelry and toys, one-of-a-kind decorations, and homemade jams and pies, all made by local artisans. Some of the proceeds go to a good cause, so don’t be afraid commit to the Season of Giving by grabbing a few extra collectors’ ornaments.

For more shopping, some favorite local gift stores include Twigs & Teacups in Chestertown, Piazza Italian Market in Easton, Bay Country Antiques in Cambridge, and Gilbert’s Provisions in Berlin.

Deck The Halls

Let’s be honest: nobody wants a sad, dried-out Charlie Brown Christmas tree or a plastic wreath. Channel your inner Clark Griswold on a search for the freshest you-cut-it tree or sweetly scented garlands at some of the shore’s best farms and outdoor festivities.

Throughout December, Blue Heron Tree Farm in Centreville provides all the necessary equipment—from saws to wagons—for wandering through grassy rows of conifers on this 12-acre property in Queen Anne’s County. Pick up fresh greens or a tree stand while warming up with a hot cocoa in the onsite barn before heading back to Baltimore.

For folks tracking farther south, Cawley Family Farm in Denton has plenty of gorgeous spruces, pines, and firs to choose from, including lots of freshly harvested, pre-cut specimens in their barn. This Caroline County farm also offers custom wreaths made to order onsite, so call in advance to pick your perfect trimmings—just don’t forget the oyster shells!

Looking for a more natural approach to holiday greenery? Check out the Holiday Wreath Sale & Open House at Adkins Arboretum on December 1, where handmade decorations crafted from the Arboretum’s forests and gardens are available only once a year. Don’t miss the event’s pop-up art and pottery shop by local artists Irene and Paul Aspell, followed by a walk through the Arboretum’s winter landscapes to the Wildlife Tree, an evergreen decked with birdseed pinecones to sustain local feathered friends through the long winter.

Island of Misfit Toys

Sometimes you need a break from all the holiday pomp and circumstance. There’s only so many fruitcakes you can reasonably eat, after all. Break away from the ordinary with a few refreshingly unconventional approaches to the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

On the evening of December 7, visit Layton’s Chance Vineyard and Winery in Vienna for Ugly Christmas Sweater Karaoke. Undoubtedly, the worse the sweater and the singing, the better the evening, so order a couple glasses of wine and commit to some seriously terrible renditions of “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” all in good (bad) fun.

Meanwhile, on December 14, you can mount up in Salisbury for the Bike Party: Holiday Lights Tour. This monthly cycle social will take a unique two-hour route to check out the Wicomico County town’s best light displays. Riders are encouraged to make their own spectacle by festooning themselves and their wheels in lights, garlands, bows, wrapping paper, ugly sweaters, menorahs, dreidels, and Seinfeld Festivus Poles, undoubtedly leaving a sea of amused onlookers in their wake.

Diving Into 2019

The lower Eastern Shore has long been defined by its abundant marshes, and in celebration, the lowly swamp-loving muskrat has been elevated to darling status in Dorchester and Somerset counties. No surprise, then, that the muskrat makes an appearance during the holiday season—and this time, not on a dinner plate.

On the last night of the month, head down to Princess Anne for perhaps the most tongue-in-cheek New Year’s Eve send-off on the entire Eastern Shore: The Midnight Muskrat Dive, kicking off at 9 p.m. In this wonderfully weird free event, a muskrat dressed for the occasion in a top hat and cape is hoisted to the top of a zip line for the stroke of midnight while the townspeople celebrate the end of 2018 with music, oysters, and Smith Island cake. Then, with great fanfare, “Marshall Muskrat” flies like a rat out of hell over their heads and down the street. Suddenly, it’s 2019—in the most eccentric, Eastern Shore way ever.

See also: Rock Hall’s Rockfish Drop, Easton’s Crab Drop, Cambridge’s Boat Drop, as well as a classic Ball Drop in both Berlin and Salisbury.

Our kids are now 3 and 1, which means one of them has a slight idea about what’s happening on Christmas morning and the other will just be excited to watch her brother rip at wrapping paper and wonder why we’re all so busy so early. The holidays are only starting to be a big deal at our house (especially after years of not having kids or any sense of Christmas spirit), so I’m trying to get a head start on preparation.

I’m also committing to only buying gifts locally this year (and no, Amazon’s Dundalk fulfillment center doesn’t count), so each of the suggestions below are here in Baltimore. So go! Shop! Be festive! And do your best to spend your money right here in town.

Amuse Toys

My love affair with this store began immediately after our son was born and has only grown over the years. The toys are beautiful and require imagination, and the shopping experience is fun and well-informed. And, because kids love nothing more than playing with toys they’re 100-percent sure you didn’t spend money on, the Amuse Toys Quarry Lake location offers open play a few mornings a week. Grab a coffee, let them go nuts, and take a slight break from the holiday madness.

The Book Thing of Baltimore

My kids develop deep, emotional obsessions with books and just when they’ve broken my spirit and I’ve consigned myself to a life of reading nothing but Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day, they lose total interest and find something else. Capitalize on this irrational behavior by clearing out your shelves while simultaneously choosing new-to-them, free books to give to your family.

Baltimore Chef Shop

Edie and Lou are still in the stage of life where food is optional at best and, when properly mashed, table art at worst. But if you’ve survived the early childhood years (good for you!) then perhaps an afternoon spent at the Baltimore Chef Shop would make a lovely gift for your kid who loves The Great British Baking Show. (And if your kid loves that show, again, good for you!) BCS is a beautiful kitchen in Hampden offering classes for 8-17 year olds and their parents on making donuts, dim sum, pasta, cookies, and other important food groups. There are also summer camps available if you’re the kind of long-term planning gift giver tweens love so much.

SIDESHOW at AVAM

Is there a more incredible gift shop in the world? Every inch of the shop is filled with fascinating, beautiful, useless, important, and affordable stuff. On a recent trip, I found cool rings and laser-cut wood earrings for $2; beautiful art coffee table books for under $20; a tiny drawer filled with plastic babies for 50 cents a pop; and a t-shirt offering an apology for the president in 14 languages. I highly suggest taking an hour (sans kids, if you can swing it) to wander through. You’ll check off most people on your list and walk out with the ultimate stocking stuffers.

Worthy Threads

Over the last few years, locally owned Worthy Threads has been popping up in Baltimore’s social media and retail worlds. Our friends gave us a sushi-printed pinafore dress (Sushi! On a dress! For an infant!) for Edie when she was born and it was so wonderful that I eventually cut the elastic in the waistband to eke out a few more weeks of wear. These clothes aren’t cheap, but they’re the kind that you treasure and begrudgingly-but-lovingly hand down to your favorite friend’s little one.

Shananigan’s Toy Shop

Similarly to the SIDESHOW gift shop, this is a store that will put your head on a swivel. It’s filled floor to ceiling with toys and games for all ages just as you start to get overwhelmed by decision fatigue, their knowledgeable staff swoops in and leads you right where you need to be.

Night of 100 Elvises
Dec. 1. The Lord Baltimore Hotel, 20 W Baltimore St.. 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Prices vary. When he was 15 years old, Jed Duvall watched an Elvis Presley impersonator perform in his high-school auditorium and thought: “I bet I could do that.” On the bus ride home, he stood up and belted out “Heartbreak Hotel” to the astonishment of his classmates, and he has been perfecting his impression of the King of Rock and Roll ever since. Unlike other Elvis-themed events, where he’s one of dozens of entertainers donning the singer’s signature white jumpsuit and mutton chops, Duvall looks forward to the Night of 100 Elvises, taking place this year on December 1, where the only thing the bands and acts have in common is that they’re performing songs by the King. “When you hear a bluegrass band do ‘Suspicious Minds,’ then it’s a party,” he says. “At the end of the day, we’re all out here honoring Elvis any way we know how.”

Washington Monument Lighting
Dec. 6. 699 Washington Pl. 5-8 p.m. Free. ’Tis the season for the city’s longest-standing holiday tradition, which fills the cobblestone streets of Mount Vernon Place with thousands of visitors, festive performances, and tons of holiday cheer. After fueling up on hot cocoa and snacks from local vendors, find the perfect spot on the lawn to watch the big-bang firework display illuminate the night sky during the annual lighting of the beloved Washington Monument.

Olde Tyme Christmas

Dec. 1. Fells Point. 9AM-7PM. Prices Vary. Fells Point already feels otherworldly thanks to its storied history and cobblestone charm, but, for the 15th year, the waterfront neighborhood will transform into a winter wonderland during this annual fête. Snap pictures with Santa Claus after he arrives by tugboat, compete in the eggnog-drinking contest, and then cap off the night by witnessing the annual tree lighting in Broadway Square and the Lighted Boat Parade floating down the harbor.

Mayor’s Christmas Parade
Dec. 2. Locations vary. 1 p.m. Free. Ring in the most wonderful time of the year with this 46th annual parade that leads a jolly assortment of local marching bands, giant balloons, festive floats, a fleet of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and, of course, Santa Claus and Miss Yuletide through the streets of Medfield and Hampden. Find a spot along the two-and-a-half-mile parade route—which begins at Poly Western High School, winds down Cold Spring Lane, and ends at 37th Street—to catch some candy, sip on hot cocoa, and give a wave to Mayor Catherine Pugh.

Anastasia
Dec. 4-9. 12 N Eutaw St. Times vary. $99-225. Based on the 1997 Disney film of the same name, this dazzling musical travels back in time to the Russian Empire during the 1920s and follows the tale of an adventurous young woman searching for answers about her past. With direction by Tony Award-winner Darko Tresnjak and a rich new score, this wintertime classic will warm the hearts of Hippodrome Theatre audiences with songs such as “Once Upon a December” and “Journey to the Past.”

The Importance of Being Earnest
Dec. 4-30. 315 W Fayette St. $25-65. This month, Everyman Theatre’s critically acclaimed resident company will bring to life Oscar Wilde’s uproarious comedy that’s been applauded by generations for its portrayal of Victorian marriage, morality, and mistaken identities. Head to the downtown theater to experience the many twists and turns of this fast-paced play that’s considered Wilde’s masterpiece.

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Dec. 9. 140 W. Mt Royal Ave. Times vary. $25-55. We all know and love the Peanuts, and this winter, see Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the whole gang come alive on the Lyric stage during this all-new production of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Bring the entire family to this one-night-only musical and sing along to holiday carols and classic tunes by original composer Vince Guaraldi. $25-55, modell-lyric.com.

The Stoop Ha-Ha-Holiday Show
Dec. 11. The Senator Theatre, 5904 York Rd. 7 p.m. $15-23. Whether it’s good, bad, or ugly, everyone has a memorable story about their holiday adventures (or misadventures). Pack the Senator Theatre for the Stoop Storytelling Series’ can’t-miss holiday show featuring cocktails, live music by Tongue and Cheek Jazz Band, and side-aching laughs as locals share their most unforgettable holiday tales.

Baltimore Chanukah Festival
Dec. 12. McKeldin Square, Inner Harbor, 101 E. Pratt St. 2:30-5:30 p.m. Free. One of our city’s bragging points is that the Esther Anne Menorah, which stands in McKeldin Square during the holidays, is the second-largest menorah in the world. While the lighting of the 30-foot-tall menorah is the main event of this lively festival, head to the Inner Harbor early to hear live music, grabs eats and drinks from local vendors, and follow the dancing dreidels to the Chanukah Wonderland.

Kwanzaa Celebration
Dec. 29. 830 E. Pratt St. 12-4 p.m. $5. Whether you’re a practiced celebrator or simply want to learn more about the week-long holiday, devote the third day of Kwanzaa to this all-out celebration at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Visit the downtown museum to take in traditional African dance and drumming performances, learn more about the holiday’s rich history during workshops and lectures, and browse locally made goods in the African Marketplace.

Jim Pollock treats the Miracle on 34th Street tradition like a series of date nights.

Every evening from Thanksgiving weekend to New Year’s Day for the past 29 years, he has come home from work, washed up, and opened his home and heart to the hordes of people who visit the 700 block of 34th Street in Hampden to see the “most outrageous Christmas lights” in Maryland.

Known on the block for his 10-foot-tall tree made out of 104 hubcaps, he also welcomes about 1,200 visitors per night into the makeshift gallery in his living room to view work by local artists.

“This tradition is about finding a moment of peace and togetherness in all of this chaos,” says Pollock. “We do this for the city that we love.”

The season of giving thanks—and also gluttony—is upon us. When it comes to libations, we never tire of thinking about what goes best with America’s favorite holiday meal. The trick is finding something easy to like and easy to pair. It helps if it’s also easy on the budget, because that turkey dinner for 12 doesn’t pay for itself. We found three liquids to enjoy this time of year, and not just for Thanksgiving.

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales “Fuego del Otoño” Sour Saison
($6 25-oz bottle, Bond Distributing)

First, let’s be clear: Jolly Pumpkin is the brewer, and this is not pumpkin beer. This is a sour ale brewed with chestnuts and spice that comports itself a bit like a light red wine. It’s remarkably balanced, neither too rich nor too hoppy. The chestnut and spice notes are subtle, and the sour acid is just enough to make this an ideal companion for autumnal foods.

Quentin Harel Beaujolais Villages “Les Grandes Terres” 2017
($22, Prestige Beverage)

The red wines of France’s Beaujolais district are delightful once one gets past the ocean of oft-mediocre “Nouveau” wines the French insist on sending our way each fall. Don’t believe us? Check out this bottle from esteemed French wine importer Kermit Lynch. Made from the Gamay grape, it bursts with red fruit tones, bright acidity, and a supple finish that will wash Thanksgiving dinner down in perfect harmony.

Two James “Catcher’s Rye” Whiskey
($49, The Country Vintner)

The first licensed distillery to operate in Detroit since Prohibition, Two James is making some of the most compelling spirits in the country. The distillery crafts this whiskey from 100 percent Michigan rye and ages it for a minimum of two years in American oak barrels. The result is an instant classic, at home in a great Manhattan but equally enjoyable with a simple cube of ice.

With the holidays on the horizon, we can almost smell the delectable treats in our future—bring on the pumpkin pie! But along with the joy of the holidays comes the stress of party planning, gift buying, and family time, all of which might compel us to indulge ourselves a bit more than usual. We talk to Ben Supik, president and nutritionist at Activate Body in Woodberry, about how stress can affect our eating habits—and how to combat it.

How does stress affect our eating habits?
When the body is stressed it releases a hormone called cortisol, which when elevated in the body has a biochemical effect on what the body craves, how the body feels, and on its energy levels. While stress is a psychological state of mind, it is also important to remember this biochemical component and to recognize when cortisol is increased as we reach for those typical comfort foods.

Can stress affect your metabolism?
Indirectly, it can. It doesn’t affect the number of calories you burn directly, but typically stressed behavior can. For example, if you are more stressed you may feel overwhelmed and less inclined to do the activities you would normally do. A busier schedule may impede you from being more active or going to the gym, and when that stuff gets cut out, our caloric burn decreases as well.

How do you tell if something is more of a stress craving than a hunger craving?
I like to use the grilled chicken salad test. Ask yourself when you are feeling this craving if you had an unlimited grilled chicken salad in front of you and you could eat as much of it as you want, would that satiate you? For some people it would, because they are just craving the feeling of wanting to be full. Other times we are craving different aspects of the eating experience like flavor, smell, or how it makes you feel when you consume it. This lets us know we are not necessarily hungry but are craving a certain experience, and we can try to figure out what the healthier alternative is.

What are your tips to control stress eating over the holidays?
Don’t arrive hungry. These delicious holiday foods are tempting enough when you’re not hungry, but when you are starving, it’s that much harder. Eat a healthy meal right before or as close as you can before going into that environment. I would also suggest trying to put the fork down between bites rather than just going into autopilot. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, don’t beat yourself up. Be gentle with yourself, have a few bites, enjoy the holidays, but be mindful throughout the experience about how much you really need.

It was a routine physical. My 57-year old sister’s South Florida internist looked over the results of her blood work and said, “You have slightly abnormal thyroid levels. To be on the safe side, I’m going to refer you to an endocrinologist.”

Three weeks later, the soonest appointment available, she saw the doctor. “I’m glad you came in. You have nodules, that’s common. But, because two of them are large, we need to do a biopsy. Schedule an appointment with my assistant.”

Later, when I grilled her for details, she confessed, “After the word biopsy, everything else sounded like ‘wah wah wah.’”

She had to wait another three weeks for the procedure, six weeks since her appointment with the internist. I had visions of lascivious malignant cells fornicating without protection. I wanted to fly her to me in Baltimore.

During the waiting period, we talked many times a day. We spoke in code.

“How’s it going?” Code for: Are you freaking out?

“I’m okay.” I’m freaking out.

“Whatever happens—you’ll be fine.” I’m praying.

“There’s nothing worse than waiting.” I feel out of control.

“I know.” There is a lot worse.

I wasn’t supposed to have to worry about her. My sister is petite, beautiful, and fit. She drinks vegetable smoothies for breakfast and carries weights when she speed-walks. She can wear the jeans that fit her in college. Although I’m only eight years older, people have mistaken me for her mother. Nevertheless, I adore her.

Stepping into big sister mode, I became an internet expert at thyroid cancers. I learned, if we had to pick a cancer, this was a top contender—it had an excellent prognosis. But I also read stories of radiation isolation, invasions into lymph nodes, and other nasty outcomes.

I offered to fly down and hold her hand during the procedure. But she said, “It’s no big deal.” A dozen needles into her neck later, it was a little deal. Despite her attempt to fish for information, the doctor refused to bite. He said that she had to wait another week to see if the nodules were cancerous. And he added, “I don’t give results over the phone. You need to make an appointment and meet with me in my office.”

Did that mean he thought there was a problem?

During the last week of our vigil, I tried to distract her by steering our conversations to Thanksgiving. We were planning to celebrate at her house in Miami. As a practicing perfectionist, she obsessed over the menu. Should she serve a filet along with the turkey? Yes. Do we need both mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes? Yes. We were weighing Brussels sprouts versus string-bean casserole when she blurted out, “I’m telling you now, if the biopsy is positive, we’re having store-bought stuffing.”

It was her first taste of the reality of mortality.

A week later, the day of her 4 p.m. appointment with the endocrinologist, I knew she was leaving work by 2. I thought, “I shouldn’t call her. I need to give her some space.” Five minutes after two, she called me. “I’m thinking of taking a half of Xanax.”

“Why wouldn’t you? I want a whole one.”

The leaves had transitioned from greens to reds, oranges, and yellows since the day of her physical. To me, they had a dull sheen this year. During those seven weeks, I hedged before committing to plans: I wanted to be available if my sister needed me. And for seven weeks I repeated, several times a day, “She will be fine. She will be fine.”

I also felt selfish. I had indulged myself in possibilities—when so many others were dealing with actualities: dire diagnoses and loss. Nevertheless, this was my sister and it was 4 o’clock. I imagined her, squeezing her husband’s hand, trying to appear brave, as she sat in a brown vinyl arm chair across the desk from her doctor.

To escape from my illusions and burn off some energy—I took my dog for a walk. Ten minutes later, the ding of a text. I inhaled a deep breath of hope. Then read, “I’m fine. It’s negative. And he’s not concerned about the thyroid levels.”

As planned, we will have Thanksgiving at her house in Miami. We will give thanks that she is healthy; thanks for all that is good. And we will pray for the many families with tragedies covering their own holiday tables.

Once my sister sampled the precariousness of life, she could not spit out the taste. So yes, she will make the turkey, filet, and Brussels sprouts. But she’ll give herself a break and order the stuffing.

The day after Thanksgiving most people have two things on their minds: recovering from a food coma and Black Friday shopping. But, this year, the Four Seasons Baltimore is hoping that you’ll work off that turkey tummy at their brand new rooftop skating rink opening on November 23.

The fifth floor Harbor Terrace at the luxury Harbor East hotel will transform into a 1,560-square-foot synthetic ice rink. The rink will be open to hotel guests as well as the public on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m. until January 6.

“The hotel really wanted to have something special that the community and our guests could enjoy,” said Beverly Magee, general manager of the Four Seasons Baltimore. “We also thought about the fact that our pool area on the fourth floor is one of the things that our guests really rave about, so we wanted to utilize that in the winter months to really make it something special.”

With panoramic views of the Inner Harbor, visitors will have the chance to test their skills while enjoying spiked coffee drinks, house-made hot cocoa, spiced apple cider, and stove-roasted chestnuts. Admission for the non-hotel guests is $25 for adults and $15 for children with skate rental for $5 for 45-minute sessions. While entry is complimentary for guests of the hotel, the prices for skating is discounted at $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

Ice skating options in Baltimore have come and gone over the years. The beloved Northwest Ice Rink in Mt. Washington filed bankruptcy and closed in 2011, and mainstays Dominic “Mimi” DiPietro Family Skating Center in Patterson Park and the Mount Pleasant Ice Rink in East Baltimore have stood the test of time. In 2014, the glitzy new outdoor Pandora Ice Rink opened and brought new life to the Inner Harbor.

“Over the years, it’s become a fun place for friends, families and coworkers to gather and celebrate,” said Laurie Schwartz, president of the Waterfront Partnership. “We see folks taking a spin during their lunch break, teaching their children how to skate, enjoying date nights and more—it’s a really great place to celebrate the season.”

One thing that sets the Four Seasons new ice rink apart from the others is not only the exclusivity of it all, but that Magee says that the hotel is planning to donate a portion of the sales to cancer research.

“I think we’ll give people a real sense of the Harbor East environment, beautiful views of the harbor, and a feel good component with the philanthropic element,” she says.

This rooftop ice rink will also be available for private event rentals during the days that it’s not open to the public. Although plans and pricing are still being worked out, guests can expect to have customized menus and bars to add to the “holiday magic.”

“During the holidays, people come to this area to take advantage of the shopping and restaurants, so this can be another thing they can add to their holiday agenda,” Magee said. “We hope our skating rink will become a memorable family tradition for years to come.”

Since 1977, the Inner Harbor’s Fourth of July Celebration has illuminated the Baltimore Waterfront and elicited oohs and ahhs from city onlookers. Read up on fun facts about the show in time for this year’s fireworks spectacular.

Top Places to Celebrate

Oregon Ridge Park: On July 3, head to Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville to hear the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra perform family-friendly favorites and traditional patriotic scores in honor of Independence Day. Once the sun sets, watch as a dazzling fireworks display lights up the night sky.

Sandlot: This waterfront oasis in Harbor Point is the perfect spot to sip on frozen cocktails and dip your toes in the sand while taking in the big-bang show. Starting at 4 p.m., Sandlot will feature live music from Speakers of the House and DJ Neil Paul, as well as special games leading up to the fireworks. Plus, there will be a tap and can takeover by Dogfish Head Brewing and a menu of Fourth of July favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, and stadium nachos. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids.

Wit & Wisdom: The restaurant inside Four Seasons Baltimore will host a family-friendly evening with dinner, live entertainment, an on-site snowball machine, and an unparalleled view of the Inner Harbor fireworks.

L.P. Steamers: Grab a brown paper-covered table on the roof deck of this Locust Point staple for a picturesque view, as well as plenty of steamed crabs and Natty Bohs.

Canton Waterfront Park: Bring your own snacks, drinks, and lawn chairs to this neighborhood park for a panoramic vantage point to watch the fireworks sparkling over the harbor.

American Visionary Art Museum: On the morning of the Fourth of July, join hundreds of pet owners and their four-legged friends to watch animals of all shapes and sizes compete for prizes such as most patriotic, visionary pet tricks, and least likely to succeed.

If you’re officially in panic mode trying to find the perfect presents before the holiday weekend approaches, we can relate but also we are here for you. There is still one, big holiday market left (more on that below) and plenty of local stores to go visit without having to obsessively track your package. So take a deep breath and let these creative, Baltimore products inspire your gift list. 

Lavender spray from PriyaMeansLove
We guarantee that anyone on your list can use a stress cure. That’s why we love this organic lavender spray from PriyaMeansLove, which can be used to spray on skin, linens, or hair. Proved to have a calming effect, the spray contains a lavender tincture with a bit of earthy vetiver oil. Priya’s products are available at B. Willow. 

The Food Market cookbook 
We’ve all wondered how we can possibly recreate that beer-cheese that comes with the soft pretzels at The Food Market in Hampden. Well now we can find out. The restaurant’s chef/owner Chad Gauss came out with a cookbook filled with countless recipes for brunch, dinner, and drinks. Available at Trohv during the day and The Food Market at night.

Jerseys and gear from Sassy Cyclist.
We all have at least one member of the family or coworker at the office who is really into biking. So why not browse the products of Sassy Cyclist, which makes cycling jerseys, headbands, and gear with a feminine touch. Their line, and tons of other goods (like these chocolate crabs!), will be available at the Made in Baltimore holiday store open through Christmas Eve.

Earrings from Elyse by Nicole
If you’re tired of having the same jewelry as everyone else who shops at chain stores, check out the unique designs of Elyse by Nicole. From tassels to champagne glass, her materials make for sturdy yet pretty pieces. Her jewelry is available at a pop-up shop at Cross Keys until December 31. 

Creative King tees and hats
Some dudes are notoriously hard to shop for and that’s why we love the neutral, cool styles of Creative King. The graphic art on all of their products is modern with just the right amount of edge and would fit right in with any wardrobe. Many items available at Double Dutch Boutique in Hampden.

Swag from Diamondback Beer
This Locust Point brewery has some of the best graphic designs around (thanks to creatives at Gilah Press) so why not show it off on hoodies, t-shirts, and pint glasses to take home? We are particular fans of Diamondback‘s tulip glass with signature turtle shell pattern. Available in their taproom, where you might just have to have a beer. 

Candle-making kit from Knits, Soy, and Metal
We loved the idea of candle-making classes at Knits, Soy, and Metal‘s Mt. Vernon location, which they share with Keepers Vintage. With this kit, you can gift that experience to anybody and choose from four scents: lemongrass, pumpkin, patchouli, and blue spruce (the latter sounds particularly festive). Available at the shop or at their last holiday pop-up at Bird in Hand. 

Yoga mat from Prosper Wellness
The gyms and studios will be crowded in January, so why not bring your a-game to yoga class with the journey mat from Prosper Wellness. We’ve tested these out and the cork material makes them lightweight and super slip resistant—even in the most stifling of hot yoga classes. Available at M.Power yoga studio in Brewer’s Hill.

Give the gift of pizza
This honestly requires no explanation because pizza is the ultimate comfort food. But we found the packaging on the &pizza gift cards particularly adorable, as they are housed inside mini versions of their rectangular pizza boxes. All your recipient has to do is pick the toppings. Available at the Federal Hill location.

Cards and wrapping paper from Rowhouse 14
Once you get the gifts, you have to worry about making them look pretty. Local stationary makers Rowhouse 14 feel your pain and offer cute Baltimore-themed cards and even taco(!) wrapping paper. Visit their stand at Last Stop Hops & Shop, the final holiday market of the season, at Peabody Heights on December 21.

Dayna Bolden
@daynabolden

The Store: Poppy and Stella. Her Look: All black is so classic and chic. I love the tailored look of the culotte pants paired with the cardigan style blazer. Trend Watch: Sparkly statement jewelry is definitely my favorite trend for the holidays. It can easily take any outfit up a notch. Style Tip: I always like to wear one element that is unexpected. Either layering a scarf, wearing a fun coat, or adding an accessory.  Think outside of the norm!

Alice Joy Thomas
@alicejoythomas

The Store: Sassanova Her Look: This outfit is both cute and comfortable. The dress is flirty and girly, while the boots make it comfy, casual, and add a little edge. Trend Watch: Bring on the velvet! Velvet is a huge holiday trend and I can’t get enough of it. Even crushed velvet is adorable! Style Tip: Comfort is key. If I am not going to be comfortable then what’s the point? No heels that are too high or jeans that are too tight. If you’re uncomfortable it will show.

Ashley Clayton
@neverbeenso

The Store: Brightside Boutique Her Look: I love pairing trends. I’m a huge fan of jumpsuits, so I paired this black jumpsuit with a lumberjack-style kimono to incorporate holiday flare while keeping it casual. Trend Watch: My favorite holiday trend this year is solid metallic. It says holiday glam, rather than yelling it. Style Tip: Style your look around one piece. This will allow you to keep your focus rather than being all over the place with a ton of different options in mind.

Sure, a quick trip to Home Depot can solve all your holiday decorating problems, but where’s the seasonal spirit in that? We’ve gathered plenty of local ways to embrace your inner-Martha Stewart with DIY wreaths, wine glasses, ornaments, gingerbread houses, and more.

12/3: Holiday Wreath Class
Using locally available materials like burlap, branches, and berries, craft your own personalized holiday wreath with everything from succulents to to dried flowers. Local Color Flowers, 3100 Brentwood Ave. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m, $125. 

12/3-4: Wreath Making
Make your own wreath with holiday music and hot cocoa. Lake Roland Nature Center, 1000 Lakeside Dr. Sat. 2-4 p.m., Sun. 12-2 p.m. $13-15. 410-887-4156

12/4: Deck the Halls
Decorate the library walls with festive trinkets and craft your own ornament. Enoch Pratt Free Library, 158 N. Linwood Ave. 3:30 p.m. 410-396-5430.

12/4: Glass Painting Party
Whether you’re hoping to give a unique gift—or keep the vessels for yourself—make your way to this Fells Point favorite to decorate holiday-themed wine and pint glasses. The best designer will win a $100 gift card that can be redeemed at Alexander’s, or any of its sister spots (Wicked Sisters, Papi’s Tacos, and Huck’s American Craft). The $20 price of admission includes two draft beers or glasses of wine, as well as an on-the-house shooter. Alexander’s Tavern, 710 S. Broadway, 7-9 p.m., $20, 410-522-0000

12/6: Gingerbread House Making Contest
Head to the Fells Point location of Abbey Burger Bistro to throw your hat into the ring for this gingerbread-making contest. Aside from a personalized gingerbread kit, the price of admission includes a complimentary draft beer or glass of wine. Abbey Fells, 811 S. Broadway, 7:30-9:30 p.m., $30, 410-522-1428

12/6 & 12/13: Ornament Painting Palooza at Delia Foley’s
Grab your crew and unwind at this ornament-painting party in Federal Hill. The price of admission includes four ornaments, painting materials, and your first winter beer. Delia Foley’s Pub, 1439 S. Charles St., 7-10 p.m., $25. 

12/9: Holiday Cards & Cheer
Enjoy cookies, theater, and music while making your own customized holiday cards. Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 12-4 p.m. $1. 443-263-1800.

12/13: Gingerbread Haus Party
Reserve your spot for this gingerbread-making party at Das Bier Haus in Federal Hill, which includes all-you-can-drink drafts, call drinks, and seasonal cocktails. Das Bier Haus, 1542 Light St., 8-10 p.m., 443-708-8854, $30-35.

12/5, 12/12, & 12/19: Gingerbread Palooza at Smaltimore
Choose from three dates to get creative with cookies and confections at this Canton haunt. Guests are invited to sip Christmas beers while perfecting their houses with various candies and sweets. Smaltimore, 2522 Fait Ave., 8-10 p.m., $30, 410-522-1421.

While we aim to spread peace and goodwill during the holiday season, a home full of visiting family and bored kids on winter vacation can quickly bring out the worst in even the best hosts. When you’ve run out of things to do at home (we get it—you can only watch so many Hallmark Channel movies), break the cabin fever and get the whole crew out of the house. Crisp, sunny days call for a walk through nature, and area gardens and conservancies like the Eastern Shore’s Adkins Arboretum or Harpers Ferry National Historic Park in West Virginia more than deliver.

While many are more popular in the spring and summer months when foliage is in full bloom, winter offers a different—and sometimes better—perspective, like at the Wolf Sanctuary of PA in Lititz, where animals are most active in colder temperatures. Don’t let bad weather hold you back, either. The anticipation of sampling a hot, crisp potato chip straight off the factory line will get even the most skeptical kids into the car on a gloomy day for a tour of Southern Pennsylvania’s Utz Factory. Or explore the Main Streets of historic Middleburg, Virginia, which amp up their signature small-town charm with holiday décor. The best part? All 10 of these family-approved winter adventures are within a 2-hour drive from Baltimore.

Catch a Glimpse

A guided tour of the Wolf Sanctuary of PA (465 Speedwell Forge Rd., Lititz, PA, 717-626-4617) gives visitors an inside look into the daily lives and unique personalities of the more than 40 wolves (and wolf-dogs) who have found a home at this 80-plus-acre wooded property in Pennsylvania Dutch country. What started as a private rescue more than 30 years ago has evolved into a nonprofit educational center that provides food, shelter, and veterinary care to wolves who couldn’t survive in nature. (The creatures are exceedingly rare, as wild wolves haven’t lived in the Keystone State for more than 100 years.)

Strap on your hiking boots, and in less than 2 hours, you’ll be in awe of the raw power and grace of animals such as Sir Bear, a fluffy grey-and-white wolf with golden eyes who was rescued from a private zoo. For the chance to see all the packs, book a private tour in advance.

If birds of prey are more your style, pack binoculars and head to the Conowingo Dam (4948 Conowingo Rd., Conowingo, 410-457-5011), which attracts more than 100 bald eagles throughout the fall and winter. The spot on the Susquehanna River is well known among bird watchers as one of the best places east of the Mississippi to spot large groups of the eagles, which come here to fish. Serious spectators gather before sunrise to stake out a prime location along the overlook railing, as the national birds feast just 30 yards away along the opposite river bank. Those interested in learning more about local wildlife should stop by the visitor center or escape the throngs of photographers by walking part of the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail. An improved section of the wide, flat path follows the river’s west bank for 2.2 miles, beginning at the dam parking lot and ending at the trout-filled Deer Creek.

Feed the Munchies

Got a craving for a mid-week getaway? Get those couch potatoes off the sofa and on the road for a tour of Southern Pennsylvania’s snack factories. Just an hour north across the state line, start with Snyder’s of Hanover (1350 York St., Hanover, PA, 800-233-7125), where a 30-minute guided tour walks visitors through the pretzel baking process, from the raw ingredient warehouse to the heavenly smell of the oven room. Less than a half-hour northeast in Thomasville, rival treat-toter Martin’s (5847 W. Lincoln Hwy., Thomasville, PA, 717-792-3265) offers one of the most immersive excursions in the area (if you can convince your family to don hairnets). The 45-minute tour follows the potato from truck to fryer, with salty chip samples along the way.

Balance out the savory snacks by continuing north to Hershey’s Chocolate World (101 Chocolate World Way, Hershey, PA, 717-534-4900), where you can indulge your inner Willy Wonka by creating your own chocolate bar or let the experts guide you through an equally delicious tasting. Finally, on your way home, stop at the Utz Factory (900 High St. Hanover, PA, 800-367-7629), where a small museum displays old objects such as retro tin packaging and Sallie Utz’ original potato slicer, which dates back to the 1920s. Take the stairs up to the glass observation deck to look down on the busy production floor before hitting up the nearby factory outlet on Carlisle Street to shop the brand’s full selection of flavors.

Day Trip With a View

Set on the banks of Brandywine Creek in Pennsylvania, bucolic Chadds Ford is best known for inspiring the work of a generation of early 20th-century painters and illustrators, much of which is now on display at the Brandywine River Museum of Art (1 Hoffmans Mill Rd., Chadds Ford, PA, 610-388-2700). Perched along the water’s edge, the museum houses a permanent collection that includes 19th- and 20th-century landscapes that reflect the beauty of the surrounding countryside. Most notable is the work of 20th-century realist painter Andrew Wyeth, alongside that of his father, illustrator N.C. Wyeth (revered for his early illustrations of Treasure Island and Last of the Mohicans), and his son, contemporary painter Jamie Wyeth. (Nearby, guided tours of Wyeth studios provide a more personal glimpse into the local artists’ lives.) Through January 7, nearly 2,000 feet of model train track will also take over the atrium for the beloved seasonal exhibition, A Brandywine Christmas.

For more natural wonders in the Brandywine Valley, drive 10 minutes west to Longwood Gardens (1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square, 610-388-1000). With nearly 400 acres accessible to the public, plan to spend three to four hours exploring the historic grounds and their outdoor gardens that range from formal to whimsical. If you get chilly, move inside the conservatory to see the Indoor Children’s Garden, designed to engage little ones with fanciful sculptures and fountains, or the iconic Orangery greenhouse, decked with poinsettias and Christmas trees during the holiday season. Through January 7, A Longwood Christmas also transforms the gardens into a festive display inspired by the splendor of France’s Versailles. Think glittering mirrors, ornate topiaries, and more than 50 decorated trees, with choreographed fountain shows, strolling carolers, and thousands of twinkling lights.

Looking for an Eastern Shore adventure? Get outside with a visit to the Adkins Arboretum (12610 Eveland Rd., Ridgely, 410-634-2847), set on 400 acres adjacent to Tuckahoe State Park. Start at the visitors center, where staff will point you to what’s in bloom or where to catch a glimpse of wildlife while helping you map out your visit. Borrow an audio guide for a 35-stop tour along the 5 miles of paths or to discover the little-known connection between the local scenery and the Underground Railroad. Kids can get their hands in the dirt at the Children’s Funshine Garden, designed with sensory education in mind, or let out some energy at the First Light Village Playspace. Made almost entirely of natural materials, this scout-built play area includes wigwams, tree stumps, and a balance beam that’s sure to tire out your young explorers before it’s time to head home.

Get Back on the Saddle

Located two hours away, the small town of Middleburg, Virginia, (population: 828) transforms into an idyllic holiday destination beginning with its all-out Christmas parade on the first Saturday of December. Walk the brick sidewalks of Washington Street, where antique shops and boutiques have made homes out of historic stone and brick buildings. On the corner of Madison Street, the Red Fox Inn & Tavern (2 E. Washington St., Middleburg, VA, 540-687-6301)—a dormered fieldstone structure trimmed with wreaths and garland—has been serving travelers since 1728. Inside at the Night Fox Pub, you can warm up with a glass of wine from one of the area’s many vineyards. Known as the nation’s horse and hunt capital, Middleburg became a destination for foxhunting and steeplechasing at the turn of the 20th century. Learn more at the National Sporting Library & Museum (102 The Plains Rd., Middleburg, VA, 540-687-6542), a research center for horse and field sports with a special exhibition (through January 14) that showcases the equine in ancient Greek art, including pottery and coins dating back centuries.

Escape to the Ice

Nothing says holiday fun quite like lacing up a pair of ice skates. Luckily, outdoor rinks pop up throughout the state starting early in the winter season. Beginning in November, families can flock to the expansive, tree-lined ice rink at Quiet Waters Park (600 Quiet Waters Park Rd., Annapolis, 410-222-1777) in Anne Arundel County, equipped with a sturdy framework for less-experienced skaters in need of training wheels. (Just be sure to bring cash or checks, as admission and skate rentals don’t accept credit cards.) At Frank J. Hutchins Memorial Park (121 St. John St., Havre de Grace, 410-638-3570) in Harford County, skaters swirl around a synthetic ice rink that’s run by a different nonprofit group each week during the holiday season in exchange for a portion of profits.

Only have a few hours to spare? You can still get the blood flowing at the Pandora Ice Rink (201 E. Pratt St., 443-743-3308) at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor through January 15, part of the annual “It’s a Waterfront Life” holiday events hosted by the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. The 6,000-square-foot rink is located at the top of the Harbor Amphitheater at the corner of Light and Pratt streets, beneath the shimmer of the city skyline and in view of the USS Constellation. Really looking to stretch your legs? At 7,200 square feet, the outdoor rink in the Rockville Town Square (131 Gibbs St., Rockville, 301-545-1999) plaza is the largest outdoor rink in Montgomery County, with themed nights where you can throw it back to the ’90s or spin to Michael Jackson’s greatest hits. While you’re headed toward Western Maryland, swing by Silver Spring’s outdoor rink at Veterans Plaza (8523 Fenton St., Silver Spring, 301-588-1221) with its colorfully lighted pavilion roof. (Bonus points: both rinks remain open through March.)

Step Back in Time

Historic Harpers Ferry—known for its role in the Civil War and as the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail—is on the easternmost edge of West Virginia, where it borders both Virginia and Maryland at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. This tiny town—spread over little more than a half square mile—features a quaint Lower Town neighborhood that turns green from late November to early January with evergreen garlands and festive wreaths throughout its winding streets. Dive into history at the John Brown Wax Museum (168 High St., Harpers Ferry, WV, 304-535-6342), which follows the tale of an area abolitionist who led a raid on the town’s arsenal in the 1850s, and discover many other landmarks from the Civil War era sprinkled throughout the town.

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park (767 Shenandoah St., Harpers Ferry, WV, 304-535-6029) is home to 20 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy, riverside strolls to hardcore hikes across Civil War battlefields and up steep mountaintops to scenic vistas. At the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s AT midpoint, kids can earn a “Junior Ranger” patch by completing an activity booklet, while the C&O Canal trail passes through the heart of town. If weather permits, follow the footbridge across the Potomac River to tackle the Maryland Heights Trail for panoramic views of the valley. If you’re looking to extend your trip, Shepherdstown, West Virginia, is another charming area with antique stores, craft galleries, and a historic opera house. (It is also rumored to be the most haunted town in America, inhabited by the spirits of the wounded soldiers from the Battle of Antietam.) Across the river in Sharpsburg, Maryland, that very Antietam National Battlefield (302 E. Main St., Sharpsburg, 301-432-5124) is also worth a visit.

Get Out of This World

Need an escape that transcends the DMV? Transport the family to another planet with an easy trip to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (600 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C., 202-633-2214) on the National Mall. Kids will love How Things Fly, a hands-on exhibit where they can push, pull, and twist their way to understanding the concept of flight. Gadget-lovers shouldn’t miss a collection of Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (basically super-drones).

If the thought of braving D.C. tourist spots during the holidays sends your blood pressure sky-high, opt for the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy., Chantilly, VA, 703-572-4118)—the museum’s companion facility in Northern Virginia. Its two huge hangars are home to the Space Shuttle Discovery and a super-sonic Concorde operated by Air France. You’ll also find memorabilia from the U.S. space program, such as the backpack propulsion device used to make the first untethered space walk and a collection of artifacts belonging to Charles Lindbergh, the first solo pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.

British Invasion 
Dec. 31-Jan. 1. The Hippodrome Theater, 12 N Eutaw St., 7-9:30 p.m. Prices vary. We were as surprised as you were when this irreverant British comedian became one of America’s most beloved nighttime talk show hosts. Of course, John Oliver was nothing new to the U.S. airwaves, having cut his comedic chops as one of Jon Stewart’s foreign correspondents on The Daily Show. But once he landed his own half-hour show at HBO, his brainy, sometimes cantankerous brand of comedic news took off, and, before long, he joined the ranks of Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Bill Maher as a titan of late night. Through charming wit and candid commentary, his Last Week Tonight delves into deeply reported topics, including segments on net neutrality, opioid addiction, and voter identification laws, the kind of coverage that has landed the show eight Emmys since premiering in 2014. And now, with the announcement that the series has been picked up through 2020, Oliver will have us laughing well into the new year and beyond. This New Year’s Eve, say goodbye to another crazy year with some much-needed, unfiltered humor with back-to-back shows at the Hippodrome that are sure to see 2017 off with a bellyaching bang.

Night of 100 Elvises
Dec. 1-3. Lord Baltimore Hotel, 20 W. Baltimore St. Fri. 7-11 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m.-1 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Prices vary. Slick back your hair and hop in your best flared jumpsuit for Charm City’s eclectic three-day tribute to the King of Rock and Roll. Whether you’re a fair-weather Elvis fan or a full-time Presley devotee, mingle with scores of impersonators at the new location of the Lord Baltimore Hotel for lots of live music, local brews, and the legend’s favorite snack: fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. 

Mayor’s Christmas Parade
Dec. 3. Medfield & Hampden. 1 p.m. Free. Bundle up and join more than 20,000 onlookers as beating drums and blaring tubas make their way through the neighborhoods of Hampden and Medfield. This festive parade will feature dozens of marching bands, dance troupes, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles all heading towards 37th Street, with Miss Yuletide, Santa Claus, and Mayor Catherine Pugh in tow. 

Washington Monument Lighting
Dec. 7. 699 Washington Pl. 5-8 p.m. Free. 410-244-1030. For the 46th year, the cobblestone streets of Mount Vernon Place will buzz with the sounds of sizzling food, clinking cocktails, chattering passerby, and, loudest of all, the big-bang boom of fireworks during the annual lighting of Baltimore’s beloved Washington Monument. 

Harlem Globetrotters
Dec. 9. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 2 & 7 p.m. $19-118. 410-347-2020. Baltimore might not have its own basketball team, but every December, the star-studded roster of the Harlem Globetrotters dribbles its way into town for an epic night of tricked-out dunks, finger-spinning stunts, and awesome athleticism at the RoFo Arena. This year, watch the world-famous troupe take on the Washington Generals, and for a few hours, consider them our home team in a makeshift, courtside Battle of the Beltways.

A John Waters Christmas
Dec. 19. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 8 p.m. $44-49.50. 410-244-0057. For more than a decade, Baltimore’s irreverent filmmaker and cult-classic comedian has created a seasonal tradition out of his critically acclaimed one-man show that puts the X in Xmas. Laugh out loud to John Waters’ twisted takes on the “most wonderful time of the year,” with holiday-horror stories, cringeworthy tinsel tales, and all around merry mischief.

Cirque de la Symphonie: Holiday Spectacular
Dec. 22-23. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 3 & 8 p.m. Prices vary. 410-783-8000. At this dazzling circus, watch as world-class acrobats dangle from the rafters, gymnasts contort into impossible angles, and dancers move to seasonal scores from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

KIX-mas
Dec. 23. Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl. 9 p.m. $27.50. 410-244-1131. Baltimore has always had a soft spot for ’80s hair-rockers Kix. The Maryland natives blew up decades ago but never forgot their roots, and while there’s less hairspray and leather involved in their present-day performances, the group is still rocking out up and down the East Coast. This holiday season, transport back to ’89 as the band plays hits like the Top 40 power ballad, “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” as well as new numbers off of their first record in nearly two decades. No one will judge if you gently wave a lighter through the air. In fact, we highly encourage it.

When the temperatures drop, not only do we unpack our sweaters and boots, but our makeup palette gets a little darker, too. With family feasts, office soirees, and holiday parties filling up our calendar, we wanted to review bold lip colors for the season. Subscription makeup service Birchbox sent us some goodies—all available in the Baltimore locations of Ulta, Sephora, Nordstrom, and Urban Outfitters. 

1. Gnarly by Milk Makeup

Sarah: I like the applicator shape, the point gives you more precision. This is a color I would wear—reminds me of an orchid. Looks good with my hair color. I have a lot of pink undertones, so pinks with blue in them look better. Texture is smooth and doesn’t feel like it will go anywhere. Her favorite!

Lydia: It feels dreamy, goes on really nice and smooth. This is definitely too pink for me, but it feels good and I like the applicator. I think it washes me out a little bit, and I don’t like the way it makes my skin tone look.

Molly: I like the consistency of it. Feels like you’re not really wearing anything. It’s very pink, but it doesn’t make my face too rosy. I like it. I think it’s a fun color.

Michelle: The applicator shape is awesome, it goes on really smooth, but it takes a couple more swipes for me. Not as moisture-rich and almost too pink. It has more of a fuchsia look to it. If I had blush and lighter eye shadow, it would work better. Could wear to a happy hour with friends.

2. Inspiration by Smashbox

Sarah: More satin-like texture with moisturizer feeling. Feels like you could wear in the winter and your mouth wouldn’t shrivel up. I like the shine. No gloss needed! This is a going-out lipstick or a holiday party lipstick. More of a berry tone with glitter-like shine.

Lydia: This is the best texture so far. It’s more pink than I realized it was going to be. I like the plum nature to it, it’s a little bit warmer. Would wear it on a fancy night out.

Molly: Feels smooth and smells like vanilla. Yeah, there does seem to be a sheen. I like the application the best. It’s really festive and fun, probably wear it in the evening. It would look good with a black or neutral outfit.

Michelle: Effortless application—like putting on ChapStick. It’s versatile so I could make it sheer or darker if I wanted to. This is definitely not a daytime color. I love the hot pink color and the sheen on it. Perfect color for date night. Her favorite!

3. King by Lipstick Queen

Sarah: Nice point on the applicator. Texture is good and creamy. This is pushing the edge of how dark a color I can wear. Because it has red and blue, it’s better than something brown and dark. Would maybe want lip liner because it’s so dark.

Lydia: Smooth application. It’s heavily pigmented so you don’t need to use a lot. This one is deeper, more purple. I think it compliments the olive colors of my skin. But it feels like my lips might be drying beneath it.

Molly: This goes on really easy and smooth, but you might need a lip liner because it didn’t go well over my cupid’s bow. I like the color because it’s not so pink. Berry colors look good with my skin, and brings out the golden tones. Would be a fun party shade. Her favorite!

Michelle: I like the applicator point on this one. It’s a little velvety. The precision point helps even if you don’t have a lip liner. Closer to a color I would typically wear. If it had more blue in it and was a little darker, I would love it.

4. Adoring by The Balm Cosmetics

Sarah: Smells like a thin mint and tingles a little bit. Don’t like these kind of applicators—I have to clean up as I go. Really need a liner with these. Like I said, dark stuff goes very quickly from cute to vampire. This does not work for me.

Lydia: The smell reminds me of LipSmackers and the application is like a slip and slide. This is the best, color-wise. The brick-red and brown undertones really work well with my skin. Would wear this out, especially in winter. Her favorite!

Molly: It’s messy and it just wants to not go in a straight line. It globs at the top, so you have to scrape off the excess. Takes several layers of application. It’s a bold lip, but it goes well with my skin tone. It has more purple undertones so it compliments a redhead.

Michelle: Cookie overload when you smell it! You really need a steady hand to put this on. I do like the brick-red color. Looks better with people who have fuller lips. It’s hard to get an even coat—and stays a little sticky. But it does last a while and won’t come off on a wine glass.

THUNDERBIRD AMERICAN INDIAN DANCERS
11/2. Goucher College, Kraushaar Auditorium, 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd., Towson. 10:15 a.m. & 12 p.m. $9. In bright feathers and embroidered clothing, this lively group will dance and sing in the Native-American tradition.

HARVESTING THE PAST
11/12. Maryland Historical Society, 201 W. Monument St. 1 p.m. Free-$9. Bring the kids to learn about Maryland’s Native-American farming practices with hands-on activities.

THANKFUL FOR TURKEYS
11/12. Lake Roland Nature Center, 1000 Lakeside Dr. 10 a.m. Free. Drop in to the nature center to investigate turkey artifacts and make a craft. 

NATIVE AMERICANS OF MARYLAND 
11/12. Cromwell Valley Park, 2002 Cromwell Bridge Rd., Parkville. 1 p.m. Free. Try out the same tools that local Native Americans used to hunt, fish, and grow crops.

LET’S TALK TURKEY 
11/18. Cromwell Valley Park, 2002 Cromwell Bridge Rd., Parkville. 1 p.m. $2-4. Meet a live turkey and learn about the bird that became a symbol for Thanksgiving. 

THANKSGIVING CRAFTS 
11/20. Enoch Pratt Free Library, 3801 Erdman Ave. 5:30 p.m. Free. Grab a piece of paper and pair of scissors to make a classic hand turkey or other Thanksgiving-inspired craft.

TROT THE TRAIL 5K
11/19. Herring Run Park, 3800 Belair Rd. 8 a.m. $5. Prep for the big Thursday gobble with a bright-and-early run on Sunday morning.

Y TURKEY TROT CHARITY 5K
11/23. Stieff Silver Building, 810 Wyman Park Dr. 8:30 a.m. $5-42. Burn some pre-feast calories with a 5K for no-guilt slices of pumpkin pie. 

GOBBLE COBBLE TURKEY TROT
11/23. MAC Harbor East, 655 President St. 8 a.m. $35-40. Grab your sneakers and hit the city streets for this festive 5K through the Inner Harbor before the big meal.

The Lion King
Nov. 16-Dec. 10. The Hippodrome Theater, 12 N Eutaw St. Tues.-Sun. 1 p.m.-8 p.m. Prices vary. Hakuna matata. Whether you sang it as a kid or to your tots, who can forget belting out these words along with Timon and Pumbaa as scenes of Africa and its animal kingdom crossed the silver screen? The Lion King was a childhood dream, in the heyday before kids’ movies became overcomplicated by too much computer animation and 3D. Since 1997, Julie Taymor’s record-shattering stage interpretation has hauled in millions of viewers and heaps of awards to make it the third-longest running show on Broadway. It’s been 20 years since the original cast graced the stage in gigantic animal head costumes and intricate patterns of bright body paint, but the show has proved its staying power, still churning out about $2 million in sales each week and nabbing the title of highest-grossing show in history. This month, see what all the hype is about when The Lion King comes to Baltimore for some 30 performances at the Hippodrome. From November 16 to December 10, bring your young ones—in age or at heart—and let the show transport you to the savanna as you sing along to all those beloved songs. We know you remember the lyrics.

Baltimore Voices
Nov. 1-3. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. Wed.-Fri. 10 & 11:30 a.m. Free-$6.50. 410-783-8000. From its outdoor community concerts to the BSO Pulse series, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has been upping the ante when it comes to celebrating our homegrown musical talent. This month, the symphony highlights city voices during its mid-week educational concert, featuring beatboxer Shodekeh, hip-hop collective Baltimore Boom Bap Society, and the co-founders of WYPR’s Out of the Blocks podcast. In a showcase of talented Charm City residents, high-energy remixes and local student interviews mingle with Beethoven classics.

Trevor Noah
Nov. 4. The Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 7 & 9:30 p.m. Prices vary. 410-837-7400. For one night only, The Daily Show host and South African comedian brings his signature stand-up—a mix of incisive political commentary with charmingly comical personal stories—to the hallowed Hippodrome stage. 

Charm City Fringe Fest
Nov. 2-12. Locations & times vary. $27-98. 410-682-8902. At the beginning of the month, Baltimore’s indie performing arts festival returns for the sixth year, with 11 days and more than 90 performances across six stages in the Bromo Arts District. Catch eclectic, original works, from off-kilter comedy, poetry readings, and magic to a rock opera and even a haunting thriller performed on roller skates.

Across the Bay 10K
Nov. 5. Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Stevensville. 5 a.m.-2 p.m. $60-200. For one fall Sunday, lace up your sneakers and join the more than 20,000 people in the state’s largest running event—a 10K across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Whether you’re a practiced runner or novice jogger, this 6.21-mile course should be a breeze, with stunning views of the Eastern Shore and crisp autumn air blowing over the brackish waves beneath your feet.

Fabergé and the Russian Crafts Tradition
Nov. 12-May 27, 2018. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. Wed., Fri.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Free. 410-547-9000. Through the lens of the famous Fabergé egg, learn about the extraordinary artistry of Russian jewelers and enamel workers during the turn of the 20th century. Explore more than 70 ornate objects, including two original Easter eggs crafted for Romanov royalty, plus a contemporary print exhibit that reimagines the delicate shells.

Bazaart Holiday Art Market
Nov. 24-25. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. Fri. 12-6 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 410-244-1900. Escape the commercialized chaos of Black Friday sales at this Baltimore-centric art shop, equipped with hand-crafted gifts by more than 40 regional artists. From homespun jewelry and hand-pressed prints to organic beauty goods and kids’ toys, there’s something for everyone on your list, including visionary art as whimsical and wacky as AVAM itself. 

Just a Kid from Highlandtown
To Nov. 18. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. 410-276-1651. Graffiti, skate, and club culture have deep roots in Baltimore’s Highlandtown neighborhood, thanks in large part to local success story Aaron LaCrate. With his rise to international renown in the early 2000s, the creator of streetwear brand Milkcrate Athletics put the city’s counterculture movement on the map and has since become a trendsetting staple and collaborator with everyone from JAY-Z and Kanye West to Madonna. This month, the Creative Alliance celebrates the Southeast Baltimore native’s career with an exhibit that journeys all the way back to his crate-hopping youth.

Miracle on 34th Street
Nov. 25-Dec. 31. 700 block of W. 34th St. Times vary. Free. The holidays officially arrive in Baltimore when the 34th Street stretch of Hampden transforms into its annual winter wonderland. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and partake in this kitschy tradition. See the neighborhood houses decked in thousands of twinkling lights, including illuminated Natty Bohs and Maryland crabs and, of course, the iconic Christmas tree made entirely out of hubcaps. 

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

EAT

Dec. 24: Feast of The Seven Fishes

Gnocco, 3734 Fleet St. 5-8 p.m. 443-449-6540.

One of the most beloved Italian-American traditions is the Feast of the Seven Fishes, or “Festa Dei Sette Pesci.” This Christmas Eve custom is all about two things: family and seafood. This year, Gnocco will serve its first-ever Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner featuring five lavish seafood courses. Start a new Christmas Eve tradition and try the crispy fried eel garnished with lemon and salsa verde, squid ink gnocchi with tomato-braised calamari, and end the meal with whole-grilled Dorado.

DRINK

Dec. 24: Yippee-Ki-Yay!

Blue Pit BBQ & Whiskey Bar, 1601 Union Ave. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. 443-948-5590. Free.

Welcome to the party, pal. The laid-back Hampden hangout will continue its annual tradition of showing the 1980s classic Die Hard on Christmas Eve with plenty of eggnog and whiskey to go around. Catch one of the two viewings (Movie starts at 9 p.m. and again at 11 p.m.) or stay all night for the Chinese food and explosion-filled fun. Pull up a seat, grab a glass of rye whiskey, and get ready to debate why Die Hard is still considered a Christmas movie.

SEE

Dec. 25: Ravens vs. Steelers

4:30 p.m. on NFL Network.

After a narrow victory over the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday, Ravens fans are hoping Santa will check off their wish lists and deliver a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The notorious rivals will face off Christmas Day to decide which team will lead the AFC North division into playoff season. If you want to watch the game from your lucky barstool or just need a way to escape from your extended family; don’t worry, some of the best Ravens bars like Mother’s Grille, Kisling’s Tavern, and Abbey Burger Bistro will be open for the game. Whether you’re cheering from the couch or knocking back Ravens Bombs at Charles Village Pub, don’t miss the rivalry game of the season.

HEAR

Dec. 23: A Very Jerry Christmas

The 8×10, 10 East Cross St. 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. 410-625-2000.

Already sick of listening to Christmas carols? Get “Frosty the Snowman” out of your head and catch Baltimore singer-songwriter Cris Jacobs during the last leg of his two-night show at The 8×10. As part of the club’s DEADcember event, Jacobs is bringing his signature blend of sweet and rugged sounds to Friday’s sold-out crowd. This is the last chance to hear Jacobs in Baltimore in 2016, so ditch the in-laws and sing along to songs from his latest solo album, “Dust to Gold.” If you couldn’t score a ticket, Jacobs and Friends will be back at The 8×10 during the first weekend of the new year.

DO

Dec. 25: Baltimore Chanukah Festival

McKeldin Square in the Inner Harbor, East Pratt St. 2-5 p.m. Free.

For the past two weeks, the Esther Ann Menorah has stood in McKeldin Square as part of the Baltimore skyline. The 30-foot menorah symbolizes the idea of spreading light throughout the city, and will be lit as the main event of this year’s Chanukah festival. Before heading to the menorah-lighting ceremony at 4:30 p.m., follow the dancing driedels to the Chanukah Wonderland for an olive press show, face painting, and live music starting at 2 p.m. Grab a Chanukah doughnut or a pastrami sandwich from the kosher food truck The Brooklyn Sandwich Co. and enjoy this lively festival at the Inner Harbor.

“We try to use what we have in the store to catch the eye of people passing by,” Rock said. “They see this big idea and want to see more.”

No matter if it’s a big business or small, window displays play a key role in bringing new and old consumers through the doors. This year, Trohv used repurposed cardboard to make its snowy scene of a Baltimore skyline and various skiing and snow-shoeing activities.

“We really like the expression and challenge of using a common everyday material that can be accessible to everyone and be able to turn it into something inspiring,” said Trohv owner and founder Carmen Brock. “We can’t always pull it off but our hope is to engage people and inspire them to go out and grab some cardboard and make something beautiful.”

Also known for its jaw dropping designs, Anthropologie goes to great heights to achieve their holiday window displays. Like Trohv, they too begin the production process in September and like to incorporate reclaimed items from thrift stores around the area such as Second Chance. Although a chain, Anthropologie prides itself on one-of-a-kind handcrafted displays with no two windows looking exactly the same.

“As a company, we don’t really advertise, so our windows in a way serve as a billboard,” said Anthropologie display coordinator David Ubias. “Hopefully customers will notice that the displays are handcrafted by an individual and not just assembled from a corporate mail-pack.”

With the holidays just around the corner, remember to take a breather in between stores and take in the thoughtful, intricately designed window displays.

MERRY MUSIC

NOV. 26: TUBA CHRISTMAS
At this musical celebration, watch a symphony of more than 80 regional tuba and euphonium players take the stage to perform classic four-part Christmas carols. Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick, 301-600-2828

NOV. 26: WEINBERG WINTERFEST
Sing along to familiar Christmas carols with live accompaniment by a Wurlitzer organ at this event to benefit the Community Action Agency of Frederick. Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick, 301-600-2828

NOV. 30-DEC. 14: MERRIMENT & MELODIES
On Wednesday evenings, enjoy live holiday music under the stars, with treats, wine, and shopping events around Harbor East. Participating vendors located along Aliceanna St.

TWINKLING TRADITIONS

NOV. 17-JAN. 1: WINTERFEST OF LIGHTS
This award-winning festival returns to Ocean City with more than one million sparkling lights spanning more than 50 blocks. 200 124th St., Ocean City, 410-250-0125

NOV. 20-JAN. 8: SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS
This year’s festival is bigger and brighter than ever before with refurbished displays, a laser light show, an outdoor skating rink, and 3D holiday video. Symphony Woods, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia.

NOV. 26- DEC. 31: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET
With warm beverages in hand, stroll around Hampden’s annual holiday spectacle—lauded by the likes of Nightline and The Travel Channel—to check out fan-favorite hubcap Christmas trees, Santa displays, illuminated Natty Boh logos, and glowing crab sculptures. 700 Block of 34th St., Free, 5-11 p.m.

FAMILY FUN

Through JAN. 2: RUDOLPH, THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
The 1964 Claymation classic comes to life on the big screen in 4-D with special effects. National Aquarium, 501 E. Pratt St, 410-576-3800

Through JAN. 16: PANDORA ICE RINK
Lace up your skates and practice your axels in the heart of the Inner Harbor this season. Special holiday events planned at the rink include late-night skates, visits from Santa, and a benefit for Special Olympics Maryland on January 5. Harborplace Amphitheater, Inner Harbor, Times vary, $9-10.

NOV. 24-DEC. 24: CHRISTMAS VILLAGE IN BALTIMORE
Enjoy German beer, European eats, and more than 50 vendors peddling handcrafted gifts at this massive outdoor market. West Shore Park, 501 Light St., Free

NOV. 25-JAN. 29: HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OF TRAINS
Celebrate the grand reopening of the B&O Railroad Museum’s Ellicott City station at its annual model train display. Stop by opening weekend for a meet-and-greet with Civil War-era Santa, who will be on handing out special treats for kids. B&O Railroad Museum. 2711 Maryland Ave., Ellicott City, 410-461-1945

DEC. 4: MAYOR’S 43RD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE
Watch this annual holiday procession make its way through North Baltimore with floats, marching bands, motorcycles, and, of course, a special appearance from Santa Claus. Parade steps off from Western High School, 4600 Falls Road, 1 p.m., Free

DEC. 10: GINGERBREAD HOUSE WORKSHOP
With royal icing, gumdrops, sprinkles, and candy canes galore, this gingerbread-making get-together will be equipped with all of the essentials. Bring the family to sip hot chocolate while getting creative with the edible edifices. Whole Foods Market, 10275 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, 240-865-1827, 11 a.m., $20

GARLANDS AND GREENERY

NOV. 25-27: KENNEDY KRIEGER INSTITUTE’S FESTIVAL OF TREES
The East Coast’s largest holiday-themed festival is back with more than 700 community-crafted trees and daily live entertainment. Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium.

NOV. 25-DEC. 4: FESTIVAL OF WREATHS.
The 19th annual silent auction features more than 150 uniquely decorated wreaths. The Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster

NOV. 28-JAN. 10: COUTURE TREE COMPETITION
Craft your own high-fashion tree in this second-annual competition hosted by the Lord Baltimore Hotel, where the winning designs will be on display in the lobby through January 16. Lord Baltimore Hotel, 20 W. Baltimore St, 410-659-3096

UGLY SWEATER SHENANIGANS

DEC. 14: UGLY SWEATER BASH
At this pre-Christmas concert featuring local soul singers Loose Ties, Jailbreak Brewing is offering $5 pints to patrons donning their ugliest, itchiest, most unsightly holiday sweaters. Jailbreak Brewing Company, 9445 Washington Blvd., Ste. F, Laurel, 443-345-969, 6-8 p.m.

DEC. 16: UGLY SWEATER PARTY
Throw on your holiday best to receive festive drink deals including $3 spiked root beers, $5 cinnamon toast shots, and $20 buckets of “cheer” at Howl at the Moon’s sweater soiree in Power Plant Live. 22 Market Place, 410-783-5111

DEC. 17: ANNUAL UGLY SWEATER PARTY
Rummage the racks at your local vintage shop to find the perfect sweater to rock at this annual bash, which will feature Sam Adams beer specials and live DJ entertainment all night long. Mother’s Grille, 1113 S. Charles St., 410-244-8686, 10 p.m.

DEC. 17: THE UGLY SWEATER RUN
A sea of sweaters embroidered with everything from Santa and snowmen to garland and gingerbread will be on display at this annual holiday run around the city. Take in the sights of downtown’s most decorated destinations on the 3.1-mile course before snapping photos with a mechanical reindeer and life-sized snow globe at the finish line. To keep the holiday cheer flowing, official post-race parties will be held at The Point in Fells, Kooper’s, and Slainte in Fells Point. Race steps off from Rash Field, 201 Key Highway, 9 a.m.

FOODIE FESTIVITIES

DEC. 5-9: SEASON’S EATINGS
Head to the Inner Harbor to sit-in on this series of holiday-inspired cooking demos led by chefs from area hotspots like Ejji Ramen, The French Kitchen, Twist, Apropoe’s, and Breaking Bread. Baltimore Visitor Center, 401 Light St., Times vary, 877-225-8466

DEC. 6: SOLSTICE SPIRITS AND HOLIDAY EGGNOG COCKTAIL WORKSHOP
Snag a seat at this class led by veteran bartender Melissa Ray to learn the ins-and-outs of eggnog, as well as craft your own Winter Solstice-themed spiced spirit with hints of cranberry and rosemary. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., 410-276-1651, 7-9 p.m., $60-65

DEC. 7: CHEF EGG LIVE: FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES AT THE LOCAL OYSTER
Chef Erik Berlin, more fondly known as Chef Egg, and Nick Shauman of The Local Oyster are continuing their series of ocean-inspired cooking classes with this special holiday installment focusing on the traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes. Learn tips and tricks for working with fish while sampling dishes like fried anchovies with garlic aioli, smoked salmon rillettes, broiled oysters with creamed spinach, pan-seared trout with cashews, and crab toast with champagne cream sauce. The Local Oyster, 520 Park Ave., 844-748-2537, 6:30 p.m., $30

DEC. 17 & 22: HOLIDAY COOKIES AND CANDIES COOKING CLASS
Crafting your own holiday treats might sound daunting for baking beginners, but this class tackles all of the basics. Throw on an apron to learn how to make everything from classic sugar and lace cookies to chocolate truffles and pecan pralines. Schola, 1005 N. Charles St., 443-715-7516, Times vary, $59

Forget those visions of sugarplums dancing in your head. How about a side of plum sauce with your chicken satay? If you’re tired of the same old, same old traditional holiday turkey feast, pull up a pillow and enjoy our trendy Asian-inspired extravaganza.

Whether you roll your own sushi, bring in beef curry from a local hotspot, or pretty up your place with DIY origami, this whimsical spread provides just the right respite from the holiday hubbub.

Additional styling by Kris Masson. Styling assistance by Laurie Manning, Olivia Amato, Mary Marek, and Jess D’Argenio.