1. DOWNLOAD SHE & HIM’S YULE LOG APP: Enjoy the glow of a cozy Yule log in your home, office or favorite coffee shop, courtesy of indie duo Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, better known as She & Him. The She & Him Yule Log app features one free song from the album—“I’ll Be Home for Christmas”—and works on the iPhone and iPad. The song is from their 2011 A Very She & Him Christmas which features “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” which Deschanel sang in the holiday classic movie, Elf.
2. BUY 12 NICE JEWISH GUYS: Firemen and Chippendales have had their spotlight long enough! The 2013 Nice Jewish Guys Calendar turns the spotlight on the underrated characteristic that pecs and tight buns can’t deliver—niceness. Created by Cupcake Wars producer Adam Cohen, The Nice Jewish Guys Calendar features a different mensch for every month of the calendar year whose good enough to bring home to mom. Challahhh!
3. PLAN TO ATTEND PEEPSFEST: We’re sure freezing your butt off in Times Square is awesome on New Year’s Eve and all, but we really can’t think of a better way to welcome in 2013 than by watching 4.5-foot-tall, 85-pound, lit Peeps Chick descend from the sky, in all its glory. Every year, Bethlehem, PA, puts on its annual PeepsFest, a free event packed with two days of live music, arts and the cult-phenomenon of Peeps-related programming, culminating in the annual Peeps drop, fireworks and Peeps s’mores roasting, Peeps mobile, arts & crafts and people dressed up as peeps to ring in the new year. Now excuse us while we file this under “Best Events EVER.” Photo Credit: Mark Demko.
4. BUY L’DOR V’DOR: Twelve residents of the Gurwin Jewish ~ Fay J. Lindner Residences assisted living community in Commack pove the adage that with age comes beauty and wisdom as they share tidbits of advice in a 2013 calendar entitled, “From Generation to Generation – L’dor v’dor.” Peppered with life experiences, sage advice and expressive photography from 12 calendar models ages 82-101 is available at Book Revue in Huntington or by calling 631-715-8268.
5. WATCH BLOODY CHRISTMAS: In a small town Police are in search for a child murderer. Meanwhile Rich Tague a has-been ’80s action movie star, is attempting to figure out the meaning of Christmas as he plays Santa on a Public Access TV show. He fantasizes about murdering the people that do him wrong. Will he have the strength to not be on his own naughty list? Find out in Long Island filmmaker Michael Shershenovich’s Bloody Christmas, which was filmed along the North Shore of LI and screened to rave reviews in NYC’s Demented Film Fest.
6. YOUTUBE “WE OWE IT ALL TO YOU”: Matty Kaspak of St. James has gotten nearly 11,000 views for his tune saluting our soldiers set to a military slideshow of pictures that soldiers sent him after listening to the song. Remember our soldiers at home and overseas this holiday season and help push it past the 11,000 mark!
7. DRIVE THROUGH CAMP EDEY’S HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW: Drive along the picturesque, mile-long trail through Camp Edey to experience the magic and wonder of their magnificent light show. The sho runs every evening through December 23 from 5-9 p.m. in Bayport. Visit the Holiday Village on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and you may even get to chat with the big guy himself.
8. JOIN “1 MILLION HUMAN BEINGS AGAINST 1 MILLION MOMS”: This Facebook page labeled, “A community opposed to the bigotry and misinformation touted by OMM” is a response to the 1 Million Moms page, which is a self-described “network of Christian moms who have joined together to stand up for our children and families,” and is the same group who attacked JC Penney for allowing Ellen DeGeneres, a lesbian, to appear in their commercials. The OMM site has only 51,768 members despite its name, but that’s still too many. Take a stand against hatred.
9. GOOGLE “DMX PERFORMS RUDOLPH”: During a recent stop at NY’s Power 105.1 FM, DMX put his own spin on Christmas classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and it’s pretty amazing. You’re probably going to want to add this to your Christmas tune lineup this year.
10. SAY HELLO TO WINTER: Winter becomes official on Friday, December 21. Get ready for snow!
