With Christmas music on full blast, the first snow falling, and Michigan Avenue already lighting up its street, the holiday season is officially upon us! If you are looking to switch up your normal series of holiday festivities and gift items, we have the perfect list for you. From upscale dining experiences to last minute stocking stuffers, we have rounded up the best holiday events and gift ideas from our clients in the entertainment, lifestyle, and hospitality arenas. Now don’t be a cotton-headed ninny muggin and join in on this holiday fun!
Add an upscale flare to your Christmas celebrations
The 120-seat contemporary American restaurant, the Albert (a nod to the extraordinary scientist), will offer both guests of the hotel and locals alike a pre-fixe Christmas Supper from 2pm-9pm on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This three-course, family style menu will feature everything items such as tuscan kale with almonds, grapes, and miatake mushrooms, dryed berkshire pork rack, and cranberry-ginger cobbler. This meal costs $75 a person and offers an additional $50 beverage pairing. To book the Christmas Supper or for more information, please visit their website.
Holiday movies on a Chicago rooftop? Yes, please!
Looking for that perfect holiday event to bring your friends together to celebrate the season? Head on over to ROOF on theWit, 201 N State St, for a viewing of ELF on December 18th at dusk. Complimentary popcorn will be offered to attendees. For more information, please visit the website.
Attend an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party mixed with live theater
What do you get when you combine yarn pom-poms, fleece ornaments and loads and loads of glitter? An Ugly Christmas Sweater of course! The cast of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, Chicago’s interactive comedy production playing at Chicago Theater Works, 1113 W. Belmont, is getting in the holiday spirit by inviting guests to their Ugly Holiday Sweater Extravaganza at 4 p.m. Saturday, December 16. Whether it is a hand-me-down from grandma or a personalized DIY, Tony and Tina encourage guests to wear their best (or worst) ugly holiday sweater to participate in an ugly sweater contest during the performance.
Check out an over-the-top holiday dessert display The Executive Pastry Chef at theWit Hotel, Toni Roberts, has created an over-the-top winter wonderland display, made entirely of edible desserts, which was recently installed in the hotel lobby at 201 N. State Street. With over 60 lbs. of chocolate and sugar, the handmade display includes a chocolate ice cave, complete with sugar crystals, meringue snowmen, and white chocolate polar bears and penguins. The 3ft by 5ft instillation also features replicas of different spaces in the downtown hotel, including their famous rooftop bar, ROOF on theWit, the main floor restaurant, State and Lake Chicago Tavern, and the on-site spa, Spa@theWit.
Save the holiday baking for the professionals this year
Calling all who love cookies and wine! To kick off the winter holiday season, Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, is hosting its fourth annual Cookies and Cheer, a Luxury Cookie Exchange. Due to its incredible popularity, Cookies and Cheer has grown into a two-night event for the first time. The event will be held Thursday, November 30, and Friday, December 1, 2017, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Cookies and Cheer gives guests the opportunity to mix and mingle with Fairmont’s esteemed culinary staff while enjoying wine tastings and sampling an incredible array of seasonal cookies. This modern take on the cookie exchange takes the stress out of holiday baking, and attendees will take home three dozen gourmet cookies of their choice, wrapped in custom luxury packaging.
Bring the warm weather to the Windy City
Save your holiday shopping til after the season with the Progressive Chicago Boat, RV & Sail Show, the largest in the Midwest featuring over 600 boats, from 50 ft. yachts to inflatables, and 100 RVs. For 88 years, this show, one of the largest expos in Chicago, has been offering a variety of hands on activities, seminars, fishing (!) – yes, trout fishing and more. It’s an annual tradition for boatmen, outdoor enthusiasts, families, and those looking to escape the winter blues in Chicago. The event will take place January 10 – 14 at McCormick Place, 2301 South Lake Shore Drive.
Stay fit while consuming inordinate amounts of holiday food
Orangetheory® Fitness is a one-of-a-kind, group personal training workout that uses intervals of cardiovascular and strength training. Their heart-rate-monitored training is designed to maintain a target zone (known as the “orange zone”), no matter what the fitness level of the individual, they will be stimulating metabolism and increasing energy. The workout is half endurance and half strength and power training. Check out some of the top performing studios in the Chicagoland area (South Loop, Hyde Park, Frankfort, and Hyde Park).
Give the gift of a fondue-filled evening
Cheese, chocolate, wine, and romance? Sounds like the perfect gift to us! Geja’s Cafe is offering a $30 bonus gift card to those who purchase $100 in gift cards at the restaurant from now until December 31, 2017. To order an eGift Certificate or Classic Gift Certificate, please visit their website.
For the chocolate lover in your life
The famed All Chocolate Kitchen, is excited to bring back its delicious holiday treats for the season. Guinness World Record-holding chocolate artist Chef Alain Roby, owner of All Chocolate Kitchen in Geneva, is known for creating stunning desserts, and with the holiday season in full swing, he is making a variety of treats such as homemade candy canes and specialty chocolate truffles. For more information, visit www.AllChocolateKitchen.com or call 630.232.2395.
For those searching for that last minute stocking stuffer
Forgot to pick up holiday cards for your friends Christmas party? Run out of ideas for what to put in your loved one’s stocking? Paper Source, a Chicago-based premier paperie and gift retailer, has you covered! With fun and trendy gift items and cards, Paper Source is the one-stop-shop for all your holiday needs! Head to one of their 125 stores in the U.S. or visit their website at PaperSource.com which offers nation-wide shipping, to pick out all your holiday- themed goodies.
Treat the family to a night of Disney-themed fun
NEWSIES is at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire now through December 31st. Featuring an electrifying score with music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, and book by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein, NEWSIES is the ultimate story of courage and overcoming one’s fears. Jeff Award nominee Alex Sanchez brings his high-octane energy and brilliance to direct and choreograph the heartwarming piece, with Musical Direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson. For additional information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.marriotttheatre.com or call 847-634-0200.
Take a break from the shopping and cooking and relax
With the high stress of the holidays taking a toll on your body, stop in to one of the 49 Massage Envy Chicagoland locations for a day of relaxation before you head back to the mall for that last minute gift. Massage Envy has revolutionized the industry by providing a convenient and affordable membership model. If you are looking for the perfect item to add to your stocking this year, a Massage Envy gift card is a great choice. For more information or to purchase a gift card, visit www.massageenvy.com or call 1.866.922.ENVY.
