The Christmas Tree Challenge

 And finally for our most favorite December tradition, The Christmas Tree Challenge.  We invented this "challenge" several years ago.  Basically, we go all over the city checking out the hotel holiday displays and rank them based on theme, creativity, and overall look.  Of course, we stop along the way for drinks and snacks.  A few years ago we started pairing it with a staycation at a fun Boston hotel.  

This year we decided to stay at the Omni Parker, which is always a favorite of ours.  We love the historic charm of this hotel and it's perfect for the holidays.

We always make a list

The lobby at the Omni-looking great

Hotel Nine Zero- points for creativity, gold was a little harsh against the white

Doesn't get scored- but no trip to Boston during the holidays is complete without a picture at Christopher Columbus Park

Upside down trees at the Liberty never disappoint

We stopped at Scampo for drinks and snacks and it made me question why we don't come here more often.  This blackberry gingery gin cocktail was amazing!

Fantastic outdoor decorations at the Whitney but there outdoor tree was a huge disappointment

Love walking over the bridge in the Public Gardens

Half Time- drinks at Stephanie's on Newbury (I don't get this place- nothing special here and lots of better spots in this area)

The Mandarin- the eventually winners.  This tree was beautiful, the perfect size, and the colors were perfection

I love the cozy vibes at The Lennox

The Fairmont tree never disappoints and is always a top contender

The Park Plaza has great accents like the Gingerbread House but the tree always disappoints.  They could go so much bigger with the tree.

Drinks and more snacks at Strega

Nightcap and final scoring at Better Sorts

The final results were:

1. The Mandarin

2. The Fairmont

3. The Liberty Hotel

I really love this tradition and it definitely made me ready for Christmas. 

Under the Covers at Club Passim

 A newer December tradition for us to go to the Under the Covers show at Club Passim.  This show is a collaboration between Mark Erelli, Zachariah Hickman, Lyle Brewer, and Canadian treasure Rose Cousins and features really unique covers of really unique songs.  This year's set list was amazing.  My favorite was there take on Running up the Hill, the 80s hit that was featured in "that" episode of Stranger Things.  I had actually thought about skipping the show because I was exhausted but I'm so glad we didn't.  Nights at Club Passim are always the right choice!

Calling All Crows Benefit Concert

 Another December tradition is going to the Calling All Crows benefit concert, featuring my favorite singer, Chad Stokes.  After last year's really subdued show, this year's show was at the House of Blues.  It was great to be back in a big venue and we were able to get spots really close to the stage.  

Union Square's Holiday Stroll- Inflatable Trail

 On a very cold day in mid-December JO and I took a stroll along the inflatable trail through Union Square.  It was a fun way to get some fresh air and enjoy the neighborhood.

Girl's Weekend City Staycation

 Each December, my college friends get together for a night of city fun.  Sometimes we even get a hotel room to extend our time together.  This year we stayed at the Long Wharf.  

I'm always in charge of picking the dinner spot and this year I knew I wanted to take my friends to Trade.  Trade has become my new favorite restaurant in the city.  It's a beautiful space with equally delicious food. It's a perfect spot for a dinner with friends because you can get lots of plates to share and extend the evening.  There's no rush here and it's not loud (but not silent, I hate the silent restaurants) so you can easily talk with friends while still feeling like you're out and about in the city.

After dinner we headed over to the Black Rose to reminisce about our college days.

We ended the evening sitting around the tree at the hotel catching up and enjoying each other's company.

In the morning we headed over to Tatte for breakfast (#didnotdisappoint) before heading home. 

I love catching up with friends and playing city tour guide.

The Nutcracker

It's not officially Christmas until we go to The Nutcracker.  We used to get tickets for the last week before Christmas, but by then I was too exhausted from school to fully enjoy the show.  Now we get tickets for the second week in December and it works out perfectly.  (Pro tip- in November they will put Nutcracker tickets on 50% sale for a few days and you can get some amazing seats at amazing prices.)

I let JO pick the dinner spot this time (since Teatro is gone) and he picked Ruka, his favorite restaurant in the city.  The added bonus is that Ruka is right next door to the theater.  Ruka is a restaurant from the team behind Yvonne's, Mariel, and Coquette and features a Peruvian/Asian fusion menu.  The decor is over the top in wonderful way and the food and drink are top notch.  The food was so good that I can't wait to go back.

After dinner we headed right to the theater.  For the Nutcracker I like to arrive right at 7:00.  This gives you time for pictures before it gets too crowded and a drink on the second floor balcony overlooking the lobby.  (Pro tip- there's a secret bar on the second floor in the back around the corner with no line at all.) I was disappointed that they aren't doing pictures with the teddy bear anymore but that disappointment went away when an older woman gifted me a glass of champagne because she loved my dress.  (I loved me dress too!)

JO surprised me with second row center seats and it was incredible.  This year's show just seemed even better than usual.  It made my heart happy and made all my December stress disappear.

On our way home we stopped in at the Ritz to check out there tree.