Try out some new traditions to freshen up your holiday season and kick off the New Year
Let the Games Begin
funkymonkey.toys
Nothing brings a group closer than a good game. Order online or pick up at local stores like FUnky Monkey on Greenwich Avenue. Can’t miss games are classics like Jenga, Scrabble and Scattagories. More complicated, but worth the learning curve, is Settlers of Catan. The great ice breaker game of the year is Blank Slate. The table uses cards with a two-word phrase, but part is blank. Players answer, and when the boards are revealed, points are awarded for matching other players’ answers. Blank Slate allows up to eight players and is the perfect post-holiday meal activity.
Head to the North Pole
theholidaywish.com
The Holiday Wish Express returns to the Stamford Town Center this year. This virtual train ride to the North Pole is open November 16 to December 24. Join Teddy’s Christmas Adventure and embark on the holiday wish train, meet Santa’s reindeer, spend time with Mrs. Claus and the elves. This immersive walk-through 20,000-square- foot holiday-themed event is located above Barnes and Noble. The experience lasts approximately 35 minutes and is appropriate for all ages. Kids two and under are free with paid guardian. (Price was not available at press time.)
Special Delivery
events@ccfpp.org
Santa gets pretty busy this time of year. To ensure he arrives at your house, the Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol offers Operation Santa, a special program that gives Santa a ride to your home on a fire truck. Santa (and, for those who dare, The Grinch) will deliver gifts (that you pre drop off) for up to eight people. Santa and the Grinch are available Saturdays and Sundays, December 14, 15, 21 and 22 between 10 a.m.and 2 p.m.
Operation Santa benefits the all-volunteer Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol, which is celebrating its 97th year of service to the town of Greenwich. The not-for-profit organization responded to over 1,000 emergency calls last year. For a $300 donation, you can make your holiday one of a kind. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day deliveries are available for an additional donation. To participate, send an email with your desired date and time and one of Santa’s elves will respond to arrange the details.
Snuggle Up!
cadenlane.com
Nothing’s quite as cute as family holiday pajamas, and Caden Lane has you covered. Choose from the Happy Challahdays footed baby sleepers ($36) and matching pajama sets for every member of the family. There are also a host of personalized options—pet bandanas ($19), wooden dreidels ($19), holiday swaddle blankets and ceramic first Hannukah ornaments ($23). Whether your family celebrates Hannukah, Christmas or both, this shop has a huge selection of gifts at an excellent price point for
one-of-a-kind gift-giving.
Frame Fido
benlenovitz.com
For more than five years Ben Lenovitz was the in-store pet portrait artist at the iconic NYC tableware store Fishs Eddy. For the perfect gift for that special pet lover or to immortalize your own furry family member, Ben is your guy. His whimsical portraits start at $250 for a petite pet portrait and go up to to $2,500 for a jumbo 36-inch by 48-inch oil on wood panel. This gift takes a while, so be sure to contact Ben with plenty of lead time.
Get Crafty
make-modern.com
Learning a craft and making a gift is a win-win. Make Modern in Cos Cob features craft classes from candle-making to knitting. Plan an outing with the kids and sign up for one
of the classes or buy agift card to give the experience to a friend.
Dog Days
aspenandarlo.com
If you’re looking for unique gift wrap that stands out from the pack, check out Aspen & Arlo. Dog lovers will delight in thee Snow Days themes featuring specific breeds from Corgis to Goldendoodles. Heavy- weight and tear resistant, there are also charming winter and holiday scenes. Rolls start at $19 and ship within three days.
Stocking That Will Hold Up
standingstocking.com
You may hang your stockings by the chimney with care, but after Santa slips in a few presents, they often fall right down. Enter the Standing Stocking. Keep your classic family heirloom stockings, but come Christmas Eve, try these to make Santa’s job a little easier. It comes in 24-inch and 30-inch sizes and a variety of colors and patterns. For a little sparkle, some stockings contain LED lights
Music to Our Ears
artscenter.org
For more than 30 years Rob Mathes’ Holiday Concert has gotten everyone in the spirit of the season. This year he’ll once again perform with his all-star band at The Performing Art Center at Purchase College on Friday, December 20 at 8 p.m., Saturday, December 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 22 at 3 p.m. This concert of rock, jazz, blues, holiday classics and original tunes from the Greenwich native could even get the Grinch into the holiday spirit. Mathes has performed, produced, arranged and recorded with everyone one from Bono to Tony Bennett. Each year he hosts this not-to-be-missed musical tradition. Tickets start at $21.25 with discounts available for students and senior citizens.
Grab Your Apron
surlatable.com
Just up the road in Darien, Sur la Table offers cooking classes every day of the week and in the evenings. Consider making a family tradition of taking a cooking class. The menu of classes gives families the chance to cook in someone else’s kitchen and learn from a pro. Perfect for families who have teens getting ready to cook for themselves or those who just want to share in creating a special menu. Classes range from how to cook a steak to international themed cuisine to sweet treats ($89 and up). Every class concludes with all the chefs dining on their creations.
Race into the New Year
nyrr.org
Put a new spin on New Year’s Eve by taking the family to the Midnight Run. Every year the New York Road Runners host a Midnight Run in New York City’s Central Park. The four-mile run kicks off at midnight with a bang as fireworks illuminate the route. Runners enjoy a pre-race festival that includes refreshments.
Make a Splash!
Rinse off the old year with the family by taking the plunge—a polar plunge at Tod’s Point. Don those bathing suits under layers of sweatsuits and jackets, pack the towels and maybe even bring your dog (as of December 1 leashed dogs are allowed at the beach). Every New Year’s Day, hundreds of Greenwich residents gather at noon to rush into the water for this unofficial town Polar Plunge. Arrive early, as cars often line up to enter the park starting at 11:30 a.m.