Santa for hire
VIDEO | John Parks tells the story of how he became a Santa for hire, how he keeps kids believing, and what the job means to him.
Celebrating Christmas around the globe
From shopping trips to Santa Claus runs, people around the world get into the holiday spirit.
Holiday Crafts Contest 2012
You can help choose the winner of the 2012 Holiday Crafts Contest by casting your vote.
Holiday cookies: Share photos of your sweet creations
Get a head start on the festivities by uploading a photo of your favorite holiday cookie — extra points if you made the cookie yourself.
National Christmas Tree lighting
The first family participates in the ceremony outside the White House.
Thanksgiving breaks Instagram records
The photo-sharing site saw more uploads Thursday than on any day in its two-year history.
Stuck on holiday shopping ideas? Head to your social networks.
Social networks can offer gift ideas and ways to collaborate on big-ticket items.
Holiday Fiction Issue: ‘Care and Feeding’
A child’s flight, a mother’s balancing act. A short story by Carolyn Parkhurst, the author of “The Dogs of Babel.”
What not to buy this holiday season
’Tis the season for consumer spending, but there are some items you simply must skip.
Upcoming Holiday Events
12 Gifts of Christmas | 1st Mariner Arena, MD
A Catie Curtis Christmas | Jammin' Java, VA
A Celtic-Holiday Extravaganza! With Maggie Sansone, Matt Bell, Andrea Hoag, Seth Kibel, Paul Oorts & Karen Ashbrook | Faith Community United Methodist Church of Hamilton, MD
(Brett Schreckengost / PHOTO BY BRETT SCHRECKENGOST)
Time to hit the slopes
Ski Guide 2012 | Regional resort information, a ski patrol ride-along and more.
Gifts
Gift Guide: Ideas for everyone
EXPRESS | Dash to local stores and hip Web sites to score loot for all the characters on your list.
Food & Recipes
How the ginger went missing from our family’s gingerbread cookie recipe
For nearly 35 years of holiday baking, no one noticed.
Entertainment
Best video games for kids
It’s a tough job, but KidsPost has tested video games to come up with a few to put on your wish list.
Decorating & Entertaining
The art of holiday decoration and flower design
No foil-wrapped poinsettias for Sarah von Pollaro, who finds her muse from the National Gallery.
On Faith
Advent and the value in waiting
All the waiting before Christmas can be frustrating, but it can also be a time for meaningful reflection.
Tech and Gadgets
Is Wii U worth a spot on your wish list?
The addition of the GamePad is very cool but you should probably wait until there are more games.
Activities and Events
New Year’s Eve 2012: Parties with no cover charges or hassles
Don’t want to deal with overcrowded, overpriced parties on Dec. 31? These events are the way to go.
Holiday Advice
Real-world holiday weight-control tips
How three people who’ve shed a lot of weight keep the pounds off this time of year.
Holiday Videos
White House hosts Hanukkah celebration
VIDEO | President Barack Obama welcomed Jewish leaders to the annual White House Hanukkah party on Thursday night. It was held on the sixth night of the eight-day Jewish festival of lights.
Worst buys this holiday season
Style reporter Katherine Boyle lets us in on the worst ways to spend our money this holiday shopping season.
Obama family lights National Christmas Tree
VIDEO | President Obama, first lady Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia lit the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in front of the White House.
Boehner hosts Capitol tree lighting
VIDEO | The speaker of the House gets help from an Eagle Scout to light the Colorado-grown evergreen.
Christmas tree lights up Rockefeller Center
VIDEO | Celebrities including CeeLo Green, Il Volo, Tony Bennett and Victoria Justice got into the holiday spirit Wednesday at the 80th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree-lighting ceremony.
White House unveils Christmas decorations
Michelle Obama hosted military families at the White House on Wednesday to unveil the Christmas decorations, which included the traditional White House gingerbread house.
Make your own White House holiday decor
The Washington Post’s Jura Koncius talks with the White house Chief Floral Designer about two holiday decorations that can be made at home.
White House tradition saves turkeys from the dinner table
VIDEO | In a tradition that has saved turkeys named everything from “Cider” to “Liberty,” every year the president pardons two turkeys from being eaten on Thanksgiving in an official White House ceremony.
Butterball turkey hot line available through social media
For 32 years, the experts who staff the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line have been there for holiday cooks who have questions about how to prepare and cook their turkeys.
Smoking turkey with Jim Shahin
Just in time for the holidays, Washington Post BBQ Columnist shows how to smoke a turkey
Thanksgiving mashed potato tricks
Washington Post food editor Bonnie Benwick brings some tips of the trade to The Fold set and shows us how to bring our best mashed potatoes to the Thanksgiving table.
‘Lincoln,’ ‘Twilight’ finale hit theaters
Celebritology blogger Jen Chaney sits down with Brook Silva-Braga to discuss options in the movie theater this weekend, including “Lincoln” and “Twlight: Breaking Dawn - Part 2.”Elsewhere in Lifestyle
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