Dec. 13 - Dec. 20

Greetings from this (kinda?) snow-spotted, mid-December Thursday, in which it feels like the end-of-year, holiday season crunch is now in full effect. Taking a tip from our editor Nicole, I dropped some serious cash on Plant People’s CBD oil yesterday in an attempt to quell some of my mounting anxiety and I feel like it pretty much did the trick on the spot, so I’ll add to the chorus of recommendations for this product. Since my fantastic, inimitable dad died a few years ago, this time of year has become a lot tougher, and to say it doesn’t help matters that I’m single and that a cruel, selfish lunatic who seems hell-bent on large-scale destruction is in charge of everything is a staggering understatement. So, if you too feel conflicted by all the Yuletide joy being forced down your throat know that I see you, and I’d be willing to wager that a lot of other people do too.

That said, I’m prepping for my office holiday party this evening like it’s my senior prom all over again because, guuurl, I’ve worked HARD this year and I’m ready to let off some steam. Here’s hoping you have an opportunity to do the same in some aspect of your life over the next couple of weeks. If comfy nostalgia sounds good to you, a throwback Christmas movie screening of Home Alone, Die Hard, Love Actually, or the like with a solid crew and access to booze and food seems like a winner—check out Syndicated’s holiday schedule for more details. And if you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path way to unwind this weekend, consider this BYOB Rothko Painting Party, which includes instruction and art supplies, happening Saturday at 4pm at Beyond Studios. Meanwhile, traditionalists should consider snatching up a ticket to see the New York Philharmonic perform Handel’s Messiah some night between now and Saturday.

More likely than not, though, you’re entering the weekend a little stressed about your holiday shopping, so it is probably a relief to hear that there are still a lot of markets going on this weekend where you can find that elusive perfect present without dealing with a mall, a department store, or mindless Amazon surfing. On Saturday, South Slope-based ceramics studio gasworks is hosting its first-ever holiday pop-up market and auction, which will feature work from over 70 local artists, drinks, and snacks. Sunday, you can swing by the lovely Grimm brewery and taproom in Bushwick, which I loved when I visited this fall, for a curated Holiday Bazaar and some mulled wine, and the ground floor at City Point is hosting the FAD Makers Market both days this weekend. And I absolutely love the concept behind Choose Love, the new SoHo pop-up profiled by Meredith earlier this week, that allows you to spend your money on things that refugees in crisis actually NEED, instead of more clutter for friends and family who are probably already up to their ears in stuff.

In addition, we’ve rounded up a variety of other fun stuff that’s going on around between now and next week and happened to catch our eye. Take a peek, make a plan, and keep up the good work, everybody! Full steam ahead into 2019!

—Kate Hooker