Although I’m a decided procrastinator in most aspects of my life, I’ve had enough nightmare trips to the mall/SoHo/Bedford Ave./Smith Street in the day or two before Christmas that this old dog eventually had to learn the trick of shopping early and otherwise ordering online. If you find yourself still worried about checking people off your list by the time this Saturday rolls around, try the Brooklyn Brainery Last Minute Gift Fair, which runs from 11am-6pm in the Prospect Heights location, before you surrender to the Atlantic Ave. Target or something equally horrific. Brainery teachers will be selling an assortment of their own creations, which run the gamut from prints to flowers to food to home goods. If, after all that, you fancy a fancy drink in a magical setting, check out the bar in the Beekman Hotel in FiDi. I was there for dinner this week and while I’m not sure I’d recommend the food for the cost, the cocktails and the atmosphere were fantastic and perfect for conjuring up that old timey NYC at Christmas vibe.
Finally, go retro at midnight with a special midnight screening of Gremlins at Nitehawk because well, duh, it’s Gremlins at midnight and it’s $12 per ticket.