The holidays cards have been filling up our mailbox, all so adorable. I like them much better than the catalogues and the bills. The parts my wife and I enjoy most are seeing who still considers us worthy and who loves their children so much and in so many poses that one suspects a bit of narcissism at work. We weathered such a dismal series of events two years ago that we joked about tagging our holiday cards with phrases like "2010: Goodbye and Good Riddance." But that was then and 2011 was much kinder. We've actually only just begun putting together our own Holiday Card (what's the rush?) and I hope you'll think of this note as my card to readers. I hope your year had more joy and laughs than pain and sorrow--and that you're looking ahead with a reasonable amount of hope and expectation. Happy Holidays.    

*The holidays are finally here! To help you with last-minute gifts and family fun, we've gathered some of our great winter guides into one neat package: shopping at the spectacular markets and pop-up shops (along with the ultimate gift guide), taking in the twinkling lights of NYC's coolest Christmas trees, having your pic snapped with Santa, celebrating Hanukkah with concerts and crafts, and viewing the holiday windows that department stores dress to the nines.      

*If you need any childcare help over the holiday break, a good idea is a day- or week-long camp. Ban winter boredom and sign the little ones up for one of the many short-term camps across the city, like the book projects offered at Scribble Press or the mini-musicals at TADA! Here is a sampling of the many children's enrichment and activity centers that serve the city all year long and have set up winter recess camps for kids. For more, see the venues in our classes directory to inquire about holiday camps.  

*Our big annual charity guide features some great family-related causes to support anytime of year--from the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, which works to reduce the maternal mortality rate around the world, to Blissful Bedrooms, the organization that provides disabled children with new living spaces. We hope you'll take a moment to click here and see what charities some of our favorite New Yorkers are recommending. 

*To keep you hot on the hunt for the best holiday finds, the Upper East Side children's boutique Little Edit is having a sale with select merchandise up to 70% off. The luxury children's boutique serves little shoppers ages 0-7 with brands like Baby Dior, Marie Chantal and Kissy Kissy. Mother-daughter shopping spree, anyone? editnewyork.com/little-edit

*Adding a simple but stylish Boot Belt to a pair of unadorned suede winter boots adds a splash of originality for kids. Specializing in ribbon accessories, Mikayla's Creations are handcrafted by an NYC mom, and also include headbands, hair bows and belts. Adult sizes available, too. $19.95, mikaylas-creations.com 

*This winter season, check out Lacoste's oversized croc beanie and scarf set complete with a bold color scheme and a cheeky grin from the infamous crocodile. Made from a durable wool blend, this snug hat-and-scarf set makes the perfect gift for any outdoors-bound child. $74 (on sale for $44.99!), lacoste.com 

*FOR THE FAMILY*  

On Sunday, January 8 Symphony Space will host eight percussive dance companies during its Stam-Pede event. From tap to Irish high-stepping to innovative body percussion, Stam-Pede will give the whole fam a new perspective on dance. And we have a family four-pack of tickets to give away! To enter, send us an email with "Stam-Pede" as the subject line. Deadline is Wednesday, December 28.

*FOR TWEENS*   

Bringing back a classic, Atari has released a Wii- and Nintendo 3DS™-optimized version of the original Centipede video game. Kids can squash solo or partner up with a teammate to help defend against enormous mutated bugs. We have three Wii copies of Centipede Infestation to give away! To enter, simply leave a comment on our Facebook Page telling us why you'd like to win. Then, send us an email with the subject line "Centipede." Deadline to enter is Friday, December 30.

*FOR BABIES* 

HABA's Madame Rattle with its whimsical yet practical design makes it incredibly easy for baby to hold and jiggle. And since it's made out of beech wood, it makes a soft and subdued sound. And we're giving away three Rattling Madames! To enter, simply leave a comment on our Facebook Page telling us why you'd like to win. Then, send us an email with the subject line "HABA." Deadline to enter is Wednesday, December 28.

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