Happy Monday everyone, I hope you had a great weekend! Jon and I enjoyed a truly magical overnight to Rockport; our first kid-free trip together since well before Violet was born! I'll have more to share about Rockport soon, but meanwhile, following suit from Thanksgiving week, I'm sharing a combined weekday + weekend roundup today to aid your planning if you're in town, and also so I can hop off the grid later this week. Enjoy!

December 22 + 23: Holiday lights trolley tour and sing along. (Boston)

December 22 + 23: Harvard Square Holiday Faire. (Cambridge)

December 22 - 28: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. (Boston)

December 22 - 28: The Christmas Revels; celebrating the Winter Solstice. (Cambridge)

December 22 - 31: The Whaling Museum is a festive winter wonderland. (Nantucket)

December 22 - January 1: The most beloved festival of lights. (Carver)

December 22 - January 4: Blink! A light and sound extravaganza. (Boston)

December 22 - January 4: A Splendid book collection. (Chestnut Hill)

December 22 - January 4: The zoo becomes magical with thousands of twinkling lights. (Stoneham)

December 23: Winter wonderland crafts. (Easton)

December 24: It’s Chanukah on Ice. (Arlington)

December 26: Early access to the museum for children with special needs. (Boston)

December 26: KidsJam monthly family dance party. (Boston)

December 26: It’s Boxing Day at the Old Manse. (Concord)

December 26 - 28: Last weekend to hop aboard the Polar Express. (Carver)

December 26 - 28: A Christmas Carol. (Worcester)

December 26 - 30: Sing along to The Sound of Music. (Arlington)

December 26 - 30: Holiday vacation boredom busters. (Easton)

December 26 - 31: Make art inspired by winter. (Boston)

December 26 - January 2: Take a journey during school vacation without leaving Boston. (Boston)

December 26 - January 4: December school vacation fun at the Ecotarium. (Worcester)

December 26 - January 4: Some good old-fashioned school vacation activities. (Sturbridge)

December 27 - January 2: Get sculpting this school vacation. (Boston)

December 28: Cajun band Sqeezebox Stompers Zydecho performs. (Boston)

December 28: Prepare and eat a complete 19th-century dinner by the hearth. (Sturbridge)

Image credit: Christine Koh

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you're having a wonderful week! I'm so loving the holidays this year; it's been delightful to send and receive cards, bake and distribute cookies (so far I've made #1, #4, #7, and #10 on this list...all awesome!), get festive with the kids, and reflect on 2014 and think about work and nest projects for 2015. And if you're looking for a little holiday spirit, there's no shortage in this roundup of 29 events for your weekend. Enjoy!

1. Alastair Moock family holiday hootenanny. (Arlington)

2. Breakfast with Santa! (Boston)

3. Boston Children’s Theater presents The Velveteen Rabbit. (Boston)

4. Holiday lights trolley tour and sing along. (Boston)

5. A cookie swap for a cause. (Boston)

6. Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. (Boston)

7. ASL interpreted rainforest reptile show. (Boston)

8. The classic tale of A Christmas Carol, Muppet style. (Brookline)

9. The Christmas Revels; celebrating the Winter Solstice. (Cambridge)

10. Harvard Square Holiday Faire. (Cambridge)

11. Hop aboard the Polar Express. (Carver)  

12. A Splendid book collection. (Chestnut Hill)

13. Come together to celebrate the shortest day of the year. (East Hampton)

14. Nantucket Noel, the quintessential yuletide experience. (Nantucket)

15. The Whaling Museum turns into a festive winter wonderland. (Nantucket)

16. Chanukah hoedown with Josh and the Jamtones. (Needham)

17. A holiday breakfast with Mrs. Claus. (North Andover)

18. Expert tips on creating your own gingerbread houses. (North Andover)

19. Santa’s workshop is open for business. (North Andover)

20. Polar Express holiday celebration. (Princeton)

21. One of the oldest Christmas pageants in New England. (Rockport)

22. FREE showing of Elf! (Somerville)

23. Photos with Santa. (Stoneham)

24. A good old-fashioned brunch with Santa. (Sturbridge)

25. Escape the frenzy of a modern Christmas and celebrate by candlelight. (Sturbridge)

26. Have tea with Santa. (Waltham)

27. Music for the “holly”days. (Waltham)

28. Etsy artists of Boston winter bazaar. (Watertown)

29. A Christmas Carol. (Worcester)

Image credit: Boston Children’s Museum

Happy Monday everyone, I hope you had a great weekend! I am still recovering from the aftermath of an epic cookie party + my Girls on the Run team completing their 5K yesterday, and I'm seriously getting excited for holiday break. As much as I love work, I also love the holiday slowdown! But before we get there, how about a fun roundup of events for your week? So much great stuff going on -- enjoy!

December 15: Final day of Greenovate Boston’s used toy collection. (Boston)

December 15 - 21: Boston Children’s Theater presents The Velveteen Rabbit. (Boston)

December 15 - 28: The Christmas Revels; celebrating the Winter Solstice. (Cambridge)

December 15 - 23: Holiday lights trolley tour and sing along. (Boston)

December 15 - January 4: A Splendid book collection. (Chestnut Hill)

December 15 - January 4: The zoo becomes magical with thousands of twinkling lights. (Stoneham)

December 15 - January 1: Nantucket Noel, the quintessential yuletide experience. (Nantucket)

December 15 - January 1: The Whaling Museum turns into a festive winter wonderland. (Nantucket)

December 16: 241st Anniversary Boston Tea Party Reenactment. (Boston)

December 16: Winter wonderland crafts. (Easton)

December 16: Prepare a variety of sweet & savory homemade food gifts perfect for sharing with others. (Ipswich)

December 16: Assembly Row celebrates Hanukkah. (Somerville)

December 16: A wonderful evening of candlelight and holly. (Waltham)

December 16 + 19: Cookie decorating and holiday crafts. (North Andover)

December 17: Who needs overnight shipping when you can create a giftapult. (Acton)

December 17: Enjoy an evening of art and activities celebrating Hanukkah. (Boston)

December 17: Fill your day with art and play. (Lincoln)

December 17: Don your ugly sweater and go play with some Legos. (Somerville)

December 18: Slow down your sleigh with DIY parachute sleigh stoppers. (Acton)

December 18: Wander through Roslindale this holiday season. (Roslindale)

December 18: Celebrate the season with an evening dedicated to the art of mixology. (Salem)

December 18 - 21: Cinderella puppet show. (Brookline)

December 18 - 23: Harvard Square Holiday Faire. (Cambridge)

December 19: Up, up and away DIY flying reindeer. (Acton)

December 19: PlaySpace pajama party. (Boston)

December 19: Prepare a variety of sweet & savory homemade food gifts perfect for sharing with others. (Ipswich)

December 19: There's a Moose on the Christmas Caboose book-signing and moose-meeting. (Stoneham)

December 19 - 21: Find unique gifts and experiences at the Cultural Survival Gift Bazaar. (Boston)

December 19 - 21: Hop aboard the Polar Express. (Carver)  

December 19 - 21: Escape the frenzy of a modern Christmas and celebrate by candlelight. (Sturbridge)

Image credit: The Trustees of Reservations

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you're enjoying a great week! I'm super excited about this weekend; we have some fun social events on tap, my Girls on the Run team has its season-ending 5K, and the girls and I will be working on some of these easy DIY food gift projects! We'll also likely pop in to at least one of the events on this epic 42-event Weekend Roundup. Enjoy, and I'd love it if you could share the roundup with your friends!

1. Ben Rudnick and Friend’s holiday extravaganza. (Arlington)

2. Explore the deep sea at this family day. (Boston)

3. Greenovate Boston’s used toy collection. (Boston)

4. Breakfast with Santa and the animals.  (Boston)

5. Another opportunity for breakfast with Santa. (Boston)

6. Boston Children’s Theater presents The Velveteen Rabbit. (Boston)

7. Santa ditches his sleigh and arrives to this party by helicopter. (Boston)

8. Holiday story hours, musical performances and a FREE kids concert. (Boston)

9. FREE kids concert with Little Groove. (Boston)

10. A family Chanukah celebration. (Boston)

11. Holiday lights trolley tour and sing along. (Boston)

12. Downtown Boston’s holiday market. (Boston) 

13. Stories Alive interactive reading of Rudolph. (Boston)

14. Home for Little Wanderers toy and book drive. (Boston)

15. Holiday music at Faneuil Hall. (Boston)

16. Join magician and juggler Scott Jameson for an extraordinary morning. (Brookline)

17. The Velveteen Rabbit puppet show. (Brookline)

18. Your opportunity to buy handmade at this artist marketplace. (Brookline)

19. The Christmas Revels; celebrating the Winter Solstice. (Cambridge)

20. Festival of native arts and culture. (Cambridge)

21. It’s opening day for the ice rink at the Charles Hotel. (Cambridge)

22. Hop aboard the Polar Express or check out the Festival of Lights. (Carver)

23. The Concord Band holiday pops concert. (Concert)

24. Winter solstice lantern walk. (Ipswich)

25. A festival of trees. (Marlborough)

26. The Whaling Museum turns into a festive winter wonderland. (Nantucket)

27. Stroll on inn to Nantucket. (Nantucket)

28. A Christmas breakfast or brunch with your best girl. (North Andover)

29. Santa’s workshop is open for business. (North Andover)

30. Holiday tea with Mrs. Claus. (North Andover)

31. The Chandler Travis Philharmonic Christmas Cavalcade benefit. (Orleans)

32. Christmas in Rockport. (Rockport)

33. A nature hike with Santa! (Sheffield) 

34. FREE showing of Home Alone. (Somerville)

35. Holiday hot chocolate with the reindeer (and early entry to ZooLights). (Stoneham)

36. Photos with Santa. (Stoneham)

37. A good old-fashioned brunch with Santa. (Sturbridge)

38. Escape the frenzy of a modern Christmas and celebrate by candlelight. (Sturbridge)

39. Final weekend of Reagle Music Theatre’s ChristmasTime. (Waltham)

40. Have tea with Santa. (Waltham)

41. Cookie decorating at Panera Bread. (Various locations)

42. Christmas is everyone on The Cape. (Various locations)

Image credit: Panera Bread

Hooray, it's Local Gems time! Today's Natick recommendations come from my friend Jodi Grundig, mom of two and editor of Mom's Favorite Stuff and Family Travel Magazine. Thanks for sharing these 10 local gems in Natick, Jodi! And be sure to check out the Arlington Center, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Coolidge Corner, Huron Village, Easton, Jamaica Plain, Lexington, Medford, Watertown, and Wellesley features!

From Jodi:

Although it’s commonly referenced as the home of the largest mall in New England, this town 15 miles west of Boston is home to a thriving community as well as many hidden gems. From locally owned shops and restaurants to several outdoor attractions, Natick has so much to offer. Here are 10 of my favorite local gems:

1. Tilly and Salvy’s Bacon Street Farm. This small grocery shop maintains an old-fashioned, small-town vibe while offering local produce, meats, baked goods, and traditional grocery items. Seasonal offerings include Christmas trees, pumpkins, and outdoor plants.

2. Casey’s Diner. This 10-stool diner located on the fringes of downtown Natick is on the National Register of Historic Places. It still offers the same delicious steamed hot dogs that made it a Natick institution.

3. Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Broadmoor, one of the Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries, is a great place for a family hike. Marked trails are easy to follow. The sanctuary also offers educational programs and workshops.

4. The Natick Community Organic Farm. The Natick Community Organic Farm is truly one of the hidden gems in Natick. This nonprofit, certified organic farm is home to many farm animals and offers complimentary admission during daylight hours.

5. The Center for Arts in Natick. Housed in a former firehouse, this nonprofit arts organization presents kid-friendly and adult shows throughout the year.

6. Oga’s Japanese Cuisine. Don’t let the strip-mall location fool you. This Japanese restaurant is easily one of the best in the state.

7. Five Crows. Located in Natick Center, Five Crows offers a selection of handmade gifts from a variety of artists in the area.

8. Uni-T. Local artist Eujin Kim Neilan owns this independent shop, one of the few located in the Natick Mall. Along with Eujin’s work, the shop also features products from about 50 local artists.

9. Lola's Italian Groceria. This locally owned shop offers delicious pasta and sandwiches as well as Italian grocery items and an impressive gluten-free selection.

10. Park Street Ice Cream. Tucked away alongside Natick Common is the Park Street Ice Cream Shoppe, a shop that’s been in business for more than 30 years

Thanks for sharing, Jodi! If you have other Natick favorites, feel free to share in the comments below. If you'd like to pen a Local Gems guest post, contact Christine at editor@bostonmamas.com to check on availability.

Image credits: all images via linked websites or associated Facebook pages.

Happy Monday everyone, I hope you had a great weekend! We enjoyed an incredibly (and awesomely!) domestic weekend, which included getting our tree, making cookie cutter bird feeders, decorating the house, potting plants, and making homemade bread for the first time in ages. So, so delightful! But now it's back to work! If you're looking for something to fun to do this week, there's no shortage of ideas in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

December 8 - 15: Greenovate Boston’s used toy collection. (Boston)

December 8 - 21: Boston Children’s Theater presents The Velveteen Rabbit. (Boston)

December 8 - 23: Holiday lights trolley tour and sing along. (Boston)

December 8 - 14: Reagle Music Theatre’s ChristmasTime. (Waltham)

December 8 - January 1: Nantucket Noel, the quintessential yuletide experience. (Nantucket)

December 8 - January 1: The Whaling Museum turns into a festive winter wonderland. (Nantucket)

December 8 - January 4: The zoo becomes magical with thousands of twinkling lights. (Stoneham)

December 8 - January 10: Downtown Boston’s holiday market. (Boston)

December 9 + 12: Cookie decorating and holiday crafts. (North Andover)

December 11: Holiday story time sing along. (Boston)

December 11: Wander through Roslindale this holiday season. (Roslindale)

December 11: The Chandler Travis Philharmonic Christmas Cavalcade benefit. (Somerville)

December 11: An exquisite evening of music and fine dining featuring the Worcester Chamber Music Society. (Sturbridge)

December 11 - 14: The Velveteen Rabbit puppet show. (Brookline)

December 12: Rock N’ Soul holiday concert. (Arlington)

December 12: Color chromatography; unmix colors and explore ink. (Boston)

December 12: The Elf on the Shelf has a friend, the Farm Nisse at Appleton Farms. (Ipswich)

December 12 + 13: A festival of trees. (Marlborough)

December 12 - 14: Festival of native arts and culture. (Cambridge)

December 12 - 14: Escape the frenzy of a modern Christmas and celebrate by candlelight. (Sturbridge)

December 12 - 28: The Christmas Revels; celebrating the Winter Solstice. (Cambridge)

Image credit: Old Sturbridge Village

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you're having a great week! If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, fear not, I have a massive 43-event roundup for you in today's Weekend Roundup! Also, don't forget to enter to win the Disney on Ice ticket giveaway, this weekend will be the perfect time to set your kids up with these 10 clutter-free gifts that kids can make, and keep thinking about how you can DO LESS via your minimalist holiday manifesto.

1. Magic show with Rupayan Neogy. (Acton)

2. See what happens when Badger Meets the Fairies. (Arlington)

3. The Legacy Dancers present Holiday Traditions. (Arlington)

4. First lights in East Arlington. (Arlington)

5. Breakfast with Santa! (Boston)

6. Stories Alive! interactive reading of Rudolph. (Boston)

7. Boston Modern Orchestra Project presents The Fantastic Mr. Fox. (Boston)

8. Boston gets crafty, holiday style. (Boston)

8. Holiday lights trolley tour and sing along. (Boston)

10. Boston Children’s Theater presents The Velveteen Rabbit. (Boston)

11. Holiday story hours, musical performances and a FREE kids concert. (Boston)

12. Greenovate Boston’s used toy collection. (Boston)

13. Chanukah in the city. (Boston)

14. Free holiday celebrations with Stacey Peasley. (Boston, Haverhill)

15. Spend the morning with Karen K and the Jitterbugs. (Brookline)

16. Your opportunity to buy handmade at this artist marketplace. (Brookline)

17. King Midas puppet show. (Brookline)

18. Curious Creatures, music, crafts and more at Jewish Family Fun Day. (Cambridge)

19. Hop aboard the Polar Express. (Carver)

20. Live holiday music and a visit with Santa. (Concord)

21. Farm fun, potato latke, and lantern making. (Dover)

22. Kids’ holiday shop and elves workshop. (Easton)

23. Have cocoa with Santa! (Haverhill)

24. Holiday open house and activities. (Marshfield)

25. Take a stroll along the streets of Nantucket. (Nantucket)

26. The Whaling Museum turns into a festive winter wonderland. (Nantucket)

27. Needham lights luminary nights. (Needham)

28. New Philharmonia Orchestra celebrates the season of peace, joy and creativity. (Newton)

29. Santa’s workshop is open for business. (North Andover)

30. Ben Rudnick and Karen K of Jitterbugs fame. (Reading)

31. Legoland Discovery Center’s Holiday Bricktacular. (Somerville)

32. FREE showing of The Polar Express. (Somerville)

33. Santa paws, pet photos with Santa. (Somerville)

34. A Norman Rockwell painting comes to life. (Stockbridge)

35. Photos with Santa. (Stoneham)

36. Holiday hot chocolate with the reindeer (and early entry to ZooLights). (Stoneham)

37. A good old-fashioned brunch with Santa. (Sturbridge)

38. Escape the frenzy of a modern Christmas and celebrate by candlelight. (Sturbridge)

39. Reagle Music Theatre’s ChristmasTime. (Waltham)

40. Festival of native arts and culture. (Watertown)

41. Storytime with Zoë and R. W. Alley - Enzo Races in the Rain! (Wellesley)

42. A special performance of The Squirrel Stole My Underpants. (Westford)

43. Northeast Comic Con and Pop Culture Expo. (Wilmington)

Image credit: Wilson Farm

Friends, I have another wonderful giveaway for you! Disney on Ice will show at the Agganis Arena at Boston University December 19-29. I've attended several times in past years with Laurel and it's always such fun spectacle! And thanks to my friends at Feld Entertainment, I have two 4-packs of tickets to give away for opening night (December 19, 7pm)! The Disney on Ice Worlds of Fantasy show includes character faves such as Lightning McQueen, The Little Mermaid, Tinker Bell, and Buzz Lightyear.

TO ENTER TO WIN: leave a comment below by midnight EST, Sunday, December 7. Make sure you include your e-mail address in the e-mail field so I can contact you if you win (your e-mail will not show up publicly with the comment)! Good luck!

DETAILS: Two (2) winners will each receive four (4) tickets to the December 19, 2014, 7pm show. Winners will pick up tickets at will call.

Goodness, it's been too long since I've shared a Local Gems feature! Today's Coolidge Corner recommendations come from my friend Sheri Gurock, mom of 3, co-founder of the award-winning toy/gear store Magic Beans, food blogger at Unbageled, and longtime Coolidge Corner dweller. Thanks for sharing these 12 local gems, Sheri! And be sure to check out the Arlington Center, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Huron Village (Cambridge), Easton, Jamaica Plain, Lexington, Medford, Watertown, and Wellesley features!

1. Pear Tree. This lovely beading shop offers a huge variety of beads and tons of gorgeous example pieces to inspire you. It's a great place to visit on a rainy day with the kids, because everyone gets to be creative. One of my favorite necklaces is one my 6-year-old made for me here!

2. Eureka! It's impossible not to love this quirky game and puzzle shop, filled with all kinds of interesting products and staffed by people who love their goods and can make spot-on recommendations.

3. Knight Moves. Former Eureka! employee Devon Trevylan opened this board game cafe nearly a year ago. Gather with friends at his cozy space and choose from over 300 different board games. The cafe serves drinks and pastries, including some gluten-free options!

4. Tiny Hanger. Tiny Hanger owner Lucia has such fabulous taste and it shows in her appealing selection of clothing and gifts for babies and kids.

5. The Coolidge Theater. The Coolidge is widely accepted to be a great date-night venue, but did you know they also do a family-friendly show each weekend on either Saturday or Sunday morning? The programs are always low-key and high quality -- a great combination.

6. Brookline Booksmith. This charming locally owned bookstore is everything you'd hope for it to be and more. The selection is extensive, the staff is wonderful, and there is always an amazing schedule of authors coming to speak and sign. In the basement you'll find great deals on used books (you can also sell your used books to them), and they have a wonderful, quirky gift department, too.

7. Regal Beagle. It's always been tough to get a table at this tiny, delightful bistro, but now that executive chef Stacy Cogswell is a contestant on this season's Top Chef, it's a good idea to plan in advance if you want to come for dinner. The lunch menu is also wonderful, and they are kid-friendly.

8. Zaftig's. This iconic Coolidge Corner delicatessen is always swamped on weekends for brunch, but you can eat breakfast all day long at this very family-friendly establishment. The menu is wide-ranging and everything is tasty.

9. Rani Bistro. This Indian restaurant is really something special. The atmosphere is serene, and the menu is full of flavorful dishes with a wide range of choices for vegetarians and carnivores alike. The lunch buffet is a great deal, and before I went Paleo I loved their Dosa.

10. Paris Creperie. This hole-in-the-wall offers a dizzying array of delicious choices, from crepes to soups to smoothies. Need a meal? Grab a hearty savory crepe. Looking for a snack? Don't miss the strawberry Nutella crepe or the Nutella hot chocolate. They are set up to accommodate a range of dietary restrictions, too.

11. Party Favors. Since going GF/Paleo over a year ago, there are few things I miss as much as Party Favors cupcakes. They look as pretty as they taste, and they are always topped with a very generous amount of sweet buttercream. You can also find a wide range of party goods and even cake decorating supplies. They also offer occasional classes and birthday parties.

12. Rami's. This is an authentic Israeli dining experience. Come when it's busy and the line is likely to be disorganized, but that's part of the charm. The falafel is outstanding, crispy and bursting with flavor, served in a soft, warm pita nestled in homemade hummus. It's street food at its absolute best. Another food I miss terribly!

So awesome, right? Thanks again Sheri, for sharing your favorite picks. If you have other favorite Coolidge Corner gems, feel free to share in the comments below. And of course don't forget to pop in to Magic Beans if you're in Coolidge Corner! If you'd like to pen a Local Gems guest post, contact Christine at editor@bostonmamas.com to check on availability.

Image credits: all images via linked websites or associated Facebook pages.