The Holidays Are Upon Us. Three Delightful Matters To Consider.

By Karen and Erica

December 7—Hannukah started. December 25—Christmas Day. December 26—Kwanzaa starts. December 31—New Year’s Eve.

Pressure is building!

We need a plan.

• First, of course, festive outfits. Thankfully, we’re not averse to wearing the same festive outfit for many festivities.

  • Erica would likely go for a svelte black tuxedo, something along the lines of Le Smoking, with extremely high black heels, possibly with diamonds on the soles of her shoes. Or perhaps on the toes.

  • Karen might opt for red satin from top to toe, vintage Norma Kamali, maybe, with gold flats and lots of shiny jewelry.

  • Both of us would consider Renting The Runway if our closets were uninspiring. But our closets have a lot to offer!

• Next—food. At least one festive dinner.

  • For Karen, maybe channeling the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Start with popcorn and champagne. Then Lobster risotto. Pumpkin pie with eggnog ice cream. Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. Gold foil napkins. Funny fishy earrings to go with sequined gold aprons to protect our finery. Small gifts for all—Doctors Without Borders donations and a box of the best, most beautiful, chocolates ever!

  • For Erica, maybe some Costco caviar to start, with blini and chopped onion. With champagne. Then, an old standby—filet mignon with a secret ingredient. Dessert could be an elegant apple upside down cake. Erica already has gifts for all of her many family members!

• Then—the events that define the season for us. We both love walking around the City to see the lights and the windows. This year the Saks light show is remarkable.

  • When Erica is out she likes to spend a little quality time at Bemelman’s Bar. But the heart of the season is at home—Erica always puts up the most fabulous tree. Truly the most wonderful tree ever. Sometimes two!

  • Karen likes to attend the Alvin Ailey opening, a favorite tradition that started many decades ago—always on the same night as the lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree, which makes for a lively scene. This year, Judith Jamison, who held us spellbound for so long, was given a new ballet to celebrate her 80th birthday. Fantastic.

For both of us, New Year’s Eve will likely be quiet. We hope to be with friends, dressed to the nines and quaffing champagne, trying like the dickens to stay up til midnight.

And then it will be 2024!

We hope you are making celebratory plans too. Thanks for sharing this year with us. We cherish your support and your company.