Archive for December, 2009

New York City may have 8 million plus people, but it can still feel pretty lonely here come late December. As friends flee the city for fabulous (and envy-worthy), vacation hot spots, many of us are stuck in our perennially overheated apartments sans any real direction for the holiday season. A prescription for cabin fever if ever there was one.

But you’ve got plenty of options around town for breaking up your family’s holi-daze over the holidays. (And we’re not suggesting you go anywhere near the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.) In addition to the Tim Burton exhibit at MoMA (for kids who can handle the quirky eeriness of the guy who brought us The Nightmare Before Christmas), Kandinsky retrospective at the Guggenheim and the Sesame Street exhibition at Brooklyn Public Library, all ongoing exhibits, you’ve got:

The Jewish Museum’s Holiday Season Family Activities
Starting on Thur. 12/24 and running on 12/27-12/29 as well as 12/31, the museum will host an afternoon drop-in art workshop. Kids ages 3 and up can create a mixed media collage related to the theme of light. December 25th is “A Family Celebration” with a full day of activities, including an art workshop inspired by the museum’s current Man Ray exhibit, a Metropolitan Klezmer concert plus a “Strike a Surreal Pose” photo booth, again inspired by the Man Ray exhibit. Mon. 12/28 and Tue. 12/29 are Family Film Days. The museum will show classic family films and TV episodes from its National Jewish Archive of Broadcasting. Look for Maurice Sendak’s Really Rosie plus The Muppet Show.
Check thejewishmuseum.org for times. All activities are free with museum admission.
The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. @ 92nd St., 212-423-3200.

Kwanzaa Celebration
American Museum of Natural History
African dance, live musical performances and traditional crafts are all part of AMNH’s celebration of the seven principles of Kwanzaa on Sun. 12/27, noon-5pm. A Kwanzaa Marketplace, with vendors, visual artists and craftspeople, will be set up on the Mezzanine Level of the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life. The Museum Food Court will be serving special Kwanzaa foods. Plus check out AMNH’s origami holiday tree, which has been a tradition for the past 30 years. Volunteers began folding the 500 creations displayed on the tree back in July! Activities are free with the price of admission.
American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th St. (Milstein Hall of Ocean Life), amnh.org.

Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s World of Celebrations
The annual winter recess festival runs Thu. 12/24-Sun. 1/3, not including Christmas and New Year’s Day. Think Mayan hot chocolate and gingerbread cookie decorating. The museum hosts educational/ arts ‘n’ crafts sessions focusing on Kwanzaa, New Year’s Day and the annual Camel Festival in Bikaner, India. Free with the price of admission. Visit brooklynkids.org for details.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., 718-735-4400.

Giggle Sale
Why not throw in a little shopping! Markdowns of 15-75% have already begun on clothing, gear, decor and bedding. Sale standouts: strollers by Phil & Teds and Stokke plus Fleurville diaper bags. The sale is both online and at Giggle’s brick-and-mortar stores.
Soho - 120 Wooster (bet. Prince and Spring Sts.)
UES - 1033 Lex. Ave. @ 74th St.

Thomas the Tank Engine
at The New York Botanical Garden
Starting Sat. 1/2, kids can meet Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt, become certified as honorary engineers and take home temporary tattoos, stickers and coloring sheets. Tickets are free with the price of admission but are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. While you’re there, check out Gingerbread Town. And if you’re even thinking about going to the Holiday Train Show, get tickets now.
Outside the Arthur and Janet Ross Gallery, New York Botanical Garden, 200th St. and Kazimiroff Blvd. nybg.org. (Runs through Sun. 1/10)

Happy Holidays!

Photo credit: AMNH

Parading through Little Italy and Chinatown with opera singers. Singing on the High Line … because New Yorkers just can’t seem to get enough of the High Line. Taking in Babes in Toyland (nothing to do with Tiger Woods!). “Belly” dancing plus monsters haunting a classic holiday poem. Just a typical holiday weekend in New York …

Check out
3rd Annual East Meets West Christmas Parade
One of the largest parades in Lower Manhattan, East Meets West reflects the culture and heritage of two major, neighboring ethnic communities - Little Italy and Chinatown, both recently designated as National Historic Neighborhoods. This parade will feature 10-12 floats, Chinese lion and dragon dance troupes, Chinese opera performers and pop singers and marching bands representing the U.S. Marine Corps and the NYPD.
When: Sat., 12/19 @ 2pm; free. (All ages)
Where: Parade route: North on Mulberry St. through Little Italy to Houston St, turning right for one block to Mott St., going South on Mott St. through Chinatown to Worth St. then E. Broadway, ending at Chatham (Kimlau) Sq.

Hear
Holiday Songs on the High Line
As part of the High Line Winter Programming Series, The NYC Lab School’s high school chorus will perform seasonal and Broadway selections. Hot cocoa and gingerbread by Tom Colicchio’s Craft Sweets will be available for purchase ($3).
When: Tonight, Thur., 12/17, 5:30 & 6pm; free. (All ages)
Where: Chelsea Market Passage near 15th St.,on the High Line
(Closest entrances are at 14th Street and 10th Ave. and 16th Street and 10th Ave.)

See
The Little Orchestra Society’s “Babes in Toyland”
An updated version of the Victor Herbert classic. An eccentric toymaker whose business is struggling gets some unexpected help from mysterious investors. Includes musical faves “March of the Toys” and “Toyland.” The show is part of the Little Orchestra Society’s Happy Concerts series for young people ages 6-12.
When: Sat., 12/19, 11am & 1pm; tickets are $10-$50 and are available at littleorchestra.org. (Recommended age range is 6-12, but many younger children also attend the Happy Concerts.)
Where: Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, located at the northern end of Lincoln Center Plaza at the corner of Columbus Ave. and 65th St.

Do
Free Maternal Dance Class @AVEDA
Expectant moms can trial a Maternal Dance class with company founder Suzanne Caesar. It’s a prenatal workout for women in all stages of pregnancy. Maternal Dance was featured on Discovery Health Channel’s Runway Moms. For when you’ve got to move it, move it.
When: Sun., 12/20, 9:30-10:30am. Limited number of spots available. Call 212-645-4797 to reserve a space.
Where: AVEDA store, 140 Fifth Ave. @ 19th St.

Chat
Santa in Central Park
Take Junior to Belvedere Castle so he can take up the issue of his present list with the big bearded guy in a red suit.
When: Sat., 12/19, and Sun., 12/20, noon-3pm.
Where: Belvedere Castle, Central Park, mid-park at 79th St.

Go
‘Twas the Night Before … MONSTERS!
An evil monster sorcerer tries to wreak havoc on the classic Christmas poem and destroy the holiday spirit. Twelve-year-old Benjy Bleeglehorn and her sidekick must enter the poem to save it, the holiday season and humanity. Slow day. The show, part of the Brooklyn Lyceum’s Monster Literature series, includes original music and video elements.
When: Sat., 12/19, and Sun., 12/20, at noon and 3:30pm; tickets available at the door or online at monsterliterature.com. $5 per ticket or $15 for four. (Ages 4-12)
Where: The Brooklyn Lyceum, 227 4th Ave.

The office holiday celebration. Your DC’s seasonal preschool party. Your apartment building’s Christmas soiree. December is the month when unhealthy eating is always just an arm’s length and a passed hors d’oeuvres tray away. No better time than the present to take control.

Indulge in a Chocolate HIP Cookie. The gourmet chocolate chip cookie is packed with Omega-3, fiber, antioxidants, amino acids and calcium … and it’s delicious. Quite an accomplishment in the healthy, baked goods sector. The HIP cookie contains chia, a nutrient dense grain which, you guessed it, has oodles of Omega-3. Hey, chia was good enough for ancient Aztec warriors. NYC chef Christopher Daley is the man behind both the HIP cookie and Hip4kids. HIP stands for Hospitality Industry Professionals. Hip4kids Inc. is a not-for-profit company Daley founded a decade ago to teach healthy eating (and cooking!) and educate parents and kids about how to combat childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes. The HIP cookies were created in order to fund Hip4kids’ after-school programs.

Got milk?

Available at hipsnacks.com.

Charlie Brown celebrates Christmas in Brooklyn. They Might Be Giants hit the New York Hall of Science. The stars align New York-style at Columbus Circle. Plus delicious menorahs are ready for snacking in Central Park.

Go
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Theater company Pig Brooch Inc. is performing the Charlie Brown Christmas Special verbatim. A jazz trio will accompany the show with Vince Guaraldi faves. Guaraldi was the jazz musician who composed the music for the Peanuts specials. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to The Children’s Aid Society. Hot chocolate and hot apple cider available.
When: Thu., 12/10 at 7pm plus Sat., 12/12, and Sun., 12/13, at 2pm and 7pm. $10 per ticket, $30 for 4 tickets at
brooklynlyceum.com. (Additional performances 12/18-12/20)
Where: The Brooklyn Lyceum, 227 4th Ave. bet. Union & President, Brooklyn.

See
Holiday under the Stars
A multimedia display not to be missed. Head to Time Warner Center’s Great Room atrium to take in a visual extravaganza of lights, music and dazzling 14-foot glass stars suspended from above.
When: Nightly through early January, 5pm to midnight.
Where: Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, Great Room, shopsatcolumbuscircle.com.

Hear
They Might Be Giants Benefit Concert
at the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI)
Rock out to songs about DNA and the solar system. The Grammy-Award-winning duo will give two performances featuring songs from their latest album, Here Comes Science. The album’s lyrics were fact-checked by the NYSCI’s Director and Chief Content Officer, Eric Siegel. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to NYSCI. FYI … the Crystal Winter events, which explore the science of snow crystals, are currently in full swing at NYSCI. Make sure to check out the giant snow globe!
When: Sun., 12/13, 1pm and 3:15pm. $35 per concert ticket. Tickets available at nysci.org. (All ages.)
Where: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Do
Menorah Making in Central Park
Head to Belvedere Castle where kids can craft an edible Hanukkah menorah.
When: Sun., 12/13, 12-3pm. (Drop in by 2:30pm to start project.) Free. (All ages.)
Where: Central Park, Belvedere Castle, mid-park at 79th St., centralparknyc.org.

Shop
Pure T Trunk Show at Madison Rose
Get up to 60% off on Pure T’s comfortable, sexy maternity shirts that can easily take you through nine months and beyond. Pure T’s tagline: “Expressive clothing for the life inside.” The line’s designer, Jennifer Fine, will be hosting the event.
When: Sat., 12/12, noon-6pm.
Where: Madison Rose, 313 Court St., bet. Degraw and Sackett Sts., Carroll Gardens, 347-689-3365, madisonrosematernity.com.

Many of the city’s vacant storefronts are getting a second “lease” on retail life. A plethora of pop-up boutiques have been springing up all over the city. Despondent landlords are only too happy to have these seasonal clients. And for us, the more shopping options, the merrier.

Below is a list of pop-ups for you and Junior:

25 Park - This luxury e-tailer goes brick-and-mortar on the UES, in an area that may as well be dubbed “pop-up alley.” (Within a block of 25 Park, you’ve got Alice + Olivia, including their adorable kids’ line, taking up residence at Scoop. Across the street, the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) store has taken over a portion of Kate’s Paperie.) 25 Park carries a well-edited mix of eclectic designers and household names, including Antik Batik, Devi Kroell, Elizabeth and James, Gryphon plus many more. For kids, the theme is boho chic. The store offers Leaves of Grass, Delfina Kids, Lemlem and lots and lots of Calypso. And then you have statement pieces for your mini-me in the form of fabulous, fluffy fur vests.
1301 Third Ave. (at 74th St.). Open thru 1/5, M-Sun., 11am-6pm.

Jade’s Toy Box & ZABA Boutique - Head down to Tribeca to check out eco-friendly, educational toys sans any commercial characters emblazoned on them. Jade’s Toy Box offers “Concept Boxes” which group toys by a theme and have adorable names such as Moody Foodie, Daily Grind and The New Yorker. ZABA’s motto is “Simplicity is Best” and that sensibility is reflected in the high-end clothing lines, toys, gear and accessories they carry.
25 N. Moore St. (at Varick), 917-349-5107. M-Sat., 10am-7pm and Sun., 11am-5pm plus Christmas Eve Day from 10am-2pm.

Lionel Electric Trains - This iconic company has a temporary home in 30 Rock. It’s the first-ever retail location for the 109-year-old Lionel. This store offers accessories and collectibles in addition to its toy trains. Top-sellers, such as The Polar Express G-Gauge, The Pennsylvania Flyer Freight Train and the new Beatles Box Cars, are all available here.
30 Rockefeller Center, 50th St. (bet. 5th and 6th Aves.) Open thru 1/5, M-F, 10am-9pm and Sat. & Sun., 11am-7pm.

(RED) - This is the one instance where retailers want to see red. The flagship Gap store in midtown is housing a (RED) boutique that stocks not just its own brand but gifts from (RED) corporate partners - Apple, Converse, Girl Skateboard, Hallmark, Emporio Armani, etc. For women and baby girls, there’s a Stella McCartney t-shirt. (RED) is also selling special Bugaboo strollers and a diaper bag. Every (RED) purchase contributes to the fight against AIDS in Africa.
Gap, 680 Fifth Ave. (at 54th), 212-977-7023. Thru 1/3.

Drum beating. Brooke Shields. Elmo at Bloomies. Just a typical weekend in the city. And let’s not forget all the cute, mini trains around for the holidays. Start your weekend off on the right track …

Do
Bang the Drums!
Kids can craft their own percussion instruments from recycled household items.  After the arts ‘n’ crafts session, the group Drum Cafe will deliver a unique, interactive performance.
When: Sun., 12/6, 11am-1pm. Instrument making runs from 11-11:45am. $5 per family. (All ages)
Where: The 14th St. Y, 344 E. 14th St. (bet. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-780-0800, 14streetY.org.

Listen
House of Kids: The Sippy Cups
Leave the straws at home and rock out to the music of this trio of San Fran dads. A visual feast with confetti cannons, giant balloons and costumed characters.
When: Sat., 12/5 at 9:15am; $20 per person (kids under 2 are free). (All ages) Tickets available at livenation.com.
Where: The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Place at E. 15th St.

Look
The Transit Museum’s 8th Annual Holiday Train Show
Because you can never get enough of those adorable toy trains this time of year. Embark on a magical journey from Grand Central to the North Pole. Make the most of it and swing by the Laser Light show in the Main Concourse and the Holiday Gift Fair in Vanderbilt Hall.
When: Now through 1/18, except for major holidays. M-F, 8am-8pm. Sat. & Sun., 10am-6pm; free. (All ages.)
Where: NY Transit Museum Gallery Annex, Grand Central Terminal, Shuttle Passage, next to the Station Master’s Office. 42nd St. bet. Lex. and Vanderbilt Aves.  mta.nyc/ny.us. For Light Show and Holiday Gift Fair details, visit grandcentralterminal.com.

See
Bloomies’ Sesame Street Exhibition
Bloomingdale’s on 59th and Lex. is hosting an exclusive exhibit featuring Elmo, Grover and crew. Also, check out the pop-up shop of Gund stuffed animals and kids’ merchandise. May as well get some shopping done.
When: Now through 12/23. Open every day, all day; free.(All ages)
Where: Bloomingdale’s, 59th and Lex. Store hours listed at bloomingdales.com.

Hear
Brooke Shields - It’s the Best Day Ever, Dad!
Actress, model and mom (and star of Latisse and Crest commercials) Brooke Shields reads from her new children’s book.
When: Sat., 12/5, 4pm; free. (All ages.)
Where: The new Apple store on the UWS, 1981 Broadway at 67th St. apple.com.

Black Friday is just a bad scene. Cyber Monday and Internet shopping are a much more civilized way to go if you know what you’re looking for. But if you’re clueless about what to get your darling MIL or your DD’s preschool teacher, you could spend hours wondering aimlessly around the Web. Although you wouldn’t call yourself “high maintenance,” a little assistance in your pursuit of presents would be nice.

Enter Love, Laura Gifts. Run by two NYC moms who have been best friends since they were nine, this company knows a thing or two about service. They can do the thinking and the tedious legwork for you. Present goddesses Laura Theodoros and Jodi Zgodny seem to have an endless supply of cool, not-seen-everywhere tchotchkes, stationery products and accessories. They can put a monogram on just about anything, including clogs (must-have!), cosmetic bags, canvas totes, playing cards, magnets, even wrapping paper. They carry peace sign headbands; “hair button” elastics adorned with chic animal prints and other materials of the moment; a mom’s life organizer (”All-in-One Folio”) that could put your BlackBerry to shame; baby products galore; and an unrivaled stash of quality party favors.

You can schedule an appointment to meet Zgodny or Theodoros at one of their two UES offices or check out their site, although they stock and have access to far more than what is shown online. Take advantage of their concierge services. Let them know which people you need to buy presents for (and what occasion - holiday, baby, etc.) what your price range is, and then they’ll work their magic. Which is exactly what they did for one U.S. solider who was stationed in Iraq (a self-proclaimed “typical bachelor” who knew nothing about selecting gifts) and used their services regularly.

So don’t feel guilty. Love, Laura Gifts isn’t just for ladies who lunch.

Visit lovelauragifts.com.