Christmas Songs

Everyone needs a soundtrack to help get them in the holiday spirit! Whether you’re decorating the Christmas tree, or lighting the menorah, these tunes are the perfect accompaniment.

All I want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey

Mistletoe by Justin Bieber

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire by Nat King Cole

Anything by Michael Buble!

Best Christmas Cookie Recipes

Got a rainy day and need to kill some time? Why not bake some delicious cookies to get you in the holiday mood? If these don’t look appetizing, which would mean you’re crazy, look on the food section of Pinterest, and you’re bound to find something that strikes your fancy.

If you’re lazy: Safeway cut out with Christmas themed decorations (The best!!)

Reindeer Cookies courtesy of Six Sisters’ Stuff

3/4 cup peanut butter

1 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup shortening

3 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 egg

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

Chocolate-covered mini pretzels

Mini brown M&Ms

Regular-sized red M&Ms

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Combine brown sugar, peanut butter, shortening, milk, and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Add egg; beat until just blended.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture at low speed. Mix just until blended.

Form dough into 1-inch balls. To make reindeer-shaped cookies, pinch the bottom of the ball slightly to form a point, then gently flatten with your hand. Space cookies about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 7 to 8 minutes, until set or just beginning to brown.

Remove from oven and immediately (and gently) press two mini pretzels into the tops of the cookies for the reindeer’s antlers. Press two mini brown M&Ms in for the eyes and one red M&M for the nose (or any other color… some of mine ended up with green noses. They might be South Pole reindeer.).

Allow cooling 2 minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a wire rack or paper towel to cool completely.

Makes about 40 reindeer cookies.

Best Christmas Movies

These are recommended with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and a rainy day. 

White Christmas

Elf

Love Actually

Best Places to Go

The city is host to a plethora of holiday activities, why not go out and enjoy them while you have the time! Or if you only have the afternoon, there are plenty of things to do with out the trip into the city.

 Ice-skating in Union Square

Window-shopping at Macy’s to see the cute puppies and kittens

Go Christmas caroling around any neighborhood

Make a gingerbread house!

Have a cookie exchange with friends! (Perhaps using one of the recommended recipes?)