Today is Boston’s 14th annual Santa Speedo Run. C’mon down to Boyslton Street and check out this spectacle. If you cannot make it, no worries. I’ll be there snapping pictures and posting everything later this week.
Do you love this annual tradition that has now spread to other cities around the US? Check out how the Santa Speedo Run started here in Boston by 5 guys back in 2000 – Santa Speedo Run: How it all started.
Here is a helpful Christmas decorating tip for all of you who live in climates where palm trees can actually survive.
The 10th annual SoWA Holiday Market is this weekend (December 14th and 15th) from 12pm-6pm at the Ben Franklin Institute (41 Berkeley Street) in the South End; although strangely not in SOWA.
Come down to do some holiday shopping or just to check things out. There is a $5 admission to get in and peruse all the independent designers, artists and crafters displaying their wares.
Are you struggling to figure out what to buy that special guy this holiday season? Here are some suggestions from a seasoned gift giver.
FOOD: Even if you regularly dine out; picking a special restaurant and making a “date” with your friend, boyfriend or partner is always a welcome gift. Schedule the night and ask the restaurant for a nice gift card or better yet make your own. If you live in the Boston area, I might suggest Upstairs on the Square which will close at the end of the year but you might be able to make a reservation for the final week of December. Read about my recent visit here.
FITNESS: Not really a foodie? Want to help someone help themselves? Perhaps the best gift my partner, Sergio, ever gave me was buying a few sessions with a personal trainer at my gym. Working with someone who’s focused on helping you achieve your personal fitness goal(s) is a great gift; esp for anyone making a New Year’s resolution to get into shape in 2014. Kris Kranzky: Cardio vs. Strength Training.
PAMPERING: Perhaps hitting the gym isn’t your idea of a gift and pampering is more in line with your guy’s likes. Why not offer them the healing power of touch? If you live in the Boston area, check out Miro and Vlad who provide deep tissue massage at the Milton Sport & Spa. More about Miro & Vlad here.
TIME: Maybe none of these gifts are striking the right chord or maybe your budget simply can’t manage it. Nothing says you care about someone like spending time together. Cook that friend or special someone a dinner, go out to see a show / movie. Take the pressure off yourself and focus on the point of giving not the dollars you are spending. Date Night.
Happy Holidays Guys
Mark your calendars and make sure you come down to Boylston Street to watch the annual Santa Speedo Run now in it’s 14th year. Seven hundred runners will participate in the fun fundraiser that supports the Play Ball Foundation.
Santa Speedo Run – Sat 14-Dec.
If you cannot join, never fear as I’m planning to be there to snap photos and write all about it. Until then enjoy this video I made after the 2012 Santa Speedo Run.
Have you registered to attend this year’s Toys for Joys? What you waiting for? Although the venue has changed and there is a small registration fee, it is still the same party but just better because they organizers have changed the venue to accommodate a larger crowd so more friends can join you.
Just in case there really is a Santa Claus.
2013 Holiday Season: December 4-24th
Tonight the Boston Pops open for their first holiday performance of the 2013 season. The concert series will run through December 24th. Holiday Pops is one of the most popular seasonal traditions and although I do not have plans to attend performances this seasons, it is a magnificent show. Tickets have been on sale so availability is limited but you may purchase tickets here.
Below is a clip from the 2010 Boston Pops Holiday season. It gives you an idea of what to expect if you’ve never attended this Boston tradition before.
Have you seen this cute video from the Chicago Gay Hockey Association? I love it when these videos are created; I recently posted this video from the Boston Friends Lesbians And Gays Football League.
However, I really love this video that the Chicago Gay Hockey Association (CGHA) posted on YouTube late last week. Great job pulling this together, bravo guys.
Are you struggling to get into the holiday spirit? Looking for something a bit different to do? If you live in the Boston area, check out the Boston classic The Slutcracker, a burlesque, satirical version of The Nutcracker that opens tonight at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square and runs nearly every night through the month of December.
The production is the brainchild of Babes in Boinkland troupe director Vanessa White. While it is not quite what you will see if you attend the Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker, what it lacks in technique you will find it more than makes up for in laughs. It may be the best holiday entertainment for the money.
Tickets ($25) are currently on sale. More information about performances and how to purchase tickets can be found here.
Heads up – the video may not be appropriate to play at your office.
Even though I’m currently traveling in Brazil, I know that shopping malls and retail stores all over the US are a buzz with hordes of shoppers. Today marks the first day of the holiday shopping season and just outside your mall and retail stores is the Salvation Army – a seemingly kind organization that asks for your spare change to help with their charity work.
My annual reminder / request to boycott Salvation Army
I like to remind people that The Salvation Army is an Evangelical Christian group that is rabidly homophobic. I would ask you to consider boycotting their holiday donation kettles.
There is no shortage of very worthy charities more deserving of your spare change. If you feel the same as I do, you may even consider speaking to the mall / store manager to ask if they wouldn’t mind granting the space to a more accepting group.
I love this new Kmart commercial. Thanks to WGB for sharing.
The holiday season may not be on your radar right now. I know it isn’t on mine, but I wanted to remind you that one month from today is the 2013 Toys for Joys.
The venue has changed and there is now a small registration fee so be sure to register early to ensure you may join what I think is the best holiday party fundraiser in Boston.
Time: Saturday, December 14, 2013 from 7:30 PM to 12:00 AM Location: 1 Black Falcon Ave. Boston Registration: toysforjoys.org
Earlier this month the organizers behind the annual holiday fundraiser, Toys for Joys, announced that the event would be held on Saturday, December 14th in a new, larger location in Southie. This past Friday Toys for Joys registration opened. A modest registration fee of $30 has been added this year. I hope to see you there.
Time: Saturday, December 14, 2013 from 7:30 PM to 12:00 AM
Location: 1 Black Falcon Ave. Boston (formerly Black Falcon Cruise Terminal)
Registration: toysforjoys.org
One of my favorite holiday traditions in Boston is the annual Toys for Joys party. The growing popularity of this event appears to have moved the party from the Artist for Humanity building to the larger Black Falcon Cruise Terminal in South Boston. You can stay up to date with all the plans for this year’s party (their 5th anniversary) by liking T4J’s Facebook Page.
Mark your calendars – Saturday, December 14th
Enjoy this quick video from the 2012 party
BosGuy 