¡Feliz Navidad! (& Friday links)

Last night will certainly stand out as a holiday highlight for me—we attended Hudson’s first grade concert! Parents and other dedicated fans packed the room and raised their smartphones high while we watched the 60 or so children sing and sway. There was, of course, “Feliz Navidad,” but they’d also memorized Spanish translations of “My Favorite Things,” “Frosty,” “Jingle Bells,” “Dreidel” and others. It was delightful! There were definitely a few yawns on stage as it got closer to the end—nearing bedtime for those six-year-olds—which made Aron and I laugh.

Today, our family arrives from Germany—Aron’s sister, brother-in-law, and their two boys—and everyone is so excited to spend time with them over the break. I get to go off for a manicure and pedicure with the ladies on Saturday morning while all the boys (and Skyler) do… well, I don’t know. But we’ll all decorate cookies when we get back!

And then it’s Christmas eve! Visions of sugarplums and the jolly old elf.

I definitely haven’t watched enough holiday specials. It’s going too fast! Speaking of which, I did just re-watch The Holiday and Little Women (1994). Any favorites? I’ve been told I need to watch A Christmas Prince.

Pass those suggestions along and here are some links of note in the meantime…

I’m very excited to read this.

Looking for a last-minute holiday craft? These cereal wreaths are so clever!

Must. try. this. banana. bread.

Will the social era ever end?

Related: Facebook’s snooze button

A good sheet-pan-dinner round-up for some new year inspiration.

I haven’t listened to this yet, but New Yorker readers voted it their favorite Fiction podcast of the last ten years (and it involves David Sedaris).

And The Atlantic‘s picks for the 50 best podcasts of the year.

Related: a last-minute holiday gift, and something you should definitely gift yourself, too.

Also, Tickets as a last-minute holiday gift.

(And all of the gift guides—of which much can still be ordered and shipped in time.)

Why people hate McMansions.

Am I too late to add a sweater to live in all week after Christmas to my wishlist? Looking at this in all the colors or this flecked turtleneck one.

Other words the Trump administration might want banned.

“So how does a story on U.F.O.s get into The New York Times? Not easily, and only after a great deal of vetting, I assure you.” Fascinating.

Thank goodness for Samantha Bee.

Young Han Solo auditions. Made me laugh.

I’m not crying. You’re crying. (The year in Google Searches.)

Did you read “Cat Person“? Some thoughts on its resonance, with women in particular.

In love with this children’s book.

Fingerlings are this year’s toy craze. Was there one you recall from your childhood? I remember the Cabbage Patch era.