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By Katie Bianco, Alice Levitt and Michele Kettner
Saying Cheese with Santa
Like many families, we always wait to do our holiday card until we’ve snapped a photo with Santa. This year, I thought getting a photo with St. Nick wouldn’t be as easy to accomplish as in previous years. But, in turns out, a pandemic can’t slow the big guy down. Here are 10 places offering photos with Santa. While you can’t sit in his lap and in some cases he’ll be wearing a mask, I’m still confident that I can get a super cute snap of my kids for a fun holiday card. – Katie Bianco, editor
Shopping the World
I’m not really planning to do much Christmas shopping this year, but we’ve all got to eat. That’s why I’m gifting myself with some nonessentials from Oh! Market International Food in Manassas. That includes my favorite Japanese cookies, called Every Burger; an inexpensive pork shoulder; and some grapefruit Topo Chico. Sounds like a merry holiday to me. //7412 Stream Walk Ln., Manassas – Alice Levitt, food editor/critic
Game on
My family is full of gamers. When we all get together, it brings out our competitive nature, especially when it comes to my nieces and nephews. Everytime they come over I always get asked to play Monopoly or Life, but usually I talk them into our 1,000th game of Uno. Now that they are all in school, it is the perfect time to bring another game into the mix (even if it is just for my sanity). That is why I will be purchasing a new board game as an early gift. I’m leaning toward the UDog Game to mix my love of strategy and their love of card games that is sure to keep everyone entertained for our next celebration. Here is a list of board games if you are looking to shake up your indoor fun. – Michele Kettner, editorial assistant