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By Michael Balderston, Katie Bianco, Holly Gambrell and Stefanie Gans
Holiday rebound
I grew up playing and watching basketball, from my elementary years to my senior year of high school. It was one of the first sports I learned how to play, out in our driveway with my older brother and father teaching me H.O.R.S.E and the basics of a layup. One of my favorite teams, although not officially in the NBA, is The Harlem Globetrotters. They’re a reminder of what sports are really all about—fun. I’ll be watching them slam dunk on Dec. 28, at the EagleBank Arena on their new Fan Powered World Tour. Come join me for the show. -HG // EagleBank Arena: 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax; $26-$146
Date night bar crawl
My in-laws, who are in town for the week, don’t know it yet, but they’re on babysitting duty. I’m hoping my husband and I can sneak out after the kids go to bed and sip a few very adult beverages at what is becoming one of my favorite places in Old Town Alexandria: The People’s Drug. And if we’re feeling crazy, maybe we can sneak into the speakeasy inside of Sugar Shack, Captain Gregory’s, less than a mile away. -SG // The People’s Drug: 103 N. Alfred St., Alexandria; Captain Gregory’s: 804 N. Henry St., Alexandria
A shorter Christmas trip
For the first time in what feels like forever, my family and I won’t be traveling (or having extended family travel to us) for Christmas. Instead Christmas Day will be a quiet gathering of enjoying each other’s company. But it’s tradition, so we have to do something. Our family excursion is going to be a much shorter trip this year, just across the river to the Kennedy Center, for a parody of the holiday favorite Love, Actually from Chicago’s Second City, Love, Factually. The Second City crew is always hilarious and they should have a field day with any one of the movie’s popular scenes. -MB // The Kennedy Center: 2700 F St. NW, Washington, D.C.; $59-$85
A spoonful of sugar
This week, the hustle and bustle (and stress) of Christmas will be winding down and I’ll be focusing on spending some cozy time in the house with my husband and sweet kids. (Check out our January issue, on newsstands now, for some great recs on making the most of staying in). One thing that will get us out of the house? The new Mary Poppins movie. I can’t wait to take in the remake and see if it lives up to the classic Disney movie. We’ll get tickets for the Angelika Film Center at Mosaic District, eat tons of popcorn, then do a little post-holiday sale shopping at the local boutiques. Sounds, to steal a line from Poppins herself, practically perfect in every way. -KB // Angelika Film Center: 2911 District Ave., Fairfax
