How to Look Fantastic for that Big Holiday Party
Christmas is a time of family togetherness, happy memories … and stress. Take some time out to treat yourself to some of the best salon services in the country. You’ll look calm and put-together for those main holiday events.
» Andre Chreky’s: Here’s some classified information from White House insiders: Chreky’s is a K Street favorite for extensive, high-quality salon and spa services including hair, coloring, nails and facials. Call 202-293-9393 for appointments and information or visit www.andrechreky.com.
» Elizabeth Arden: Conveniently located at Pentagon Row in Arlington, the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon is staffed with a full range of spa and salon specialists, including masseuses and professional makeup artists. Call 703-373-5888 for appointments.
» Ulta Salon: Voted the best of Silver Spring, Ulta offers great hair care, plus complimentary skin, hair and color consultations by its experts. Call 301-588-8744 for appointments.
Where to House Visiting Family Members
This is the off-season for D.C. tourists, meaning lower hotel rates are much easier to find. Check out these nearby hotels for great family options and amenities.
» Holiday Inn on the Hill: A family-friendly hotel with cable, family suites, cribs, laundry rooms and a fitness room. Plus, the hotel is within walking distance of Union Station. See www.hionthehilldc.com.
» Quality Inn Iwo Jima: Keep the kids busy and happy at the indoor pool while you enjoy great views of the city and the Iwo Jima Memorial. Call 703-524-5000 for rates and availability.
How to Find and Cook a Free-Range Turkey
A turkey weighing 10 to 12 pounds should be cooked about 17 minutes per pound in a 375-degree oven. Rub thawed turkey with salt, pepper, herbs and butter, then tent with aluminum foil.
Baste with butter every half-hour to keep moist. Remove foil for the last half-hour of baking and baste once again.
» Market Poultry: Located in Eastern Market on Capitol Hill, this fresh poultry store carries free-range turkeys. Call 202-543-7470 for information.
» The Home Farm Store: A few locally raised, free-range and organic turkeys will be available here Dec. 22 to 24. The address is 1 E. Washington St., Middleburg, Va. Call 540-687-8882 to check availability.
» Other: Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods both carry free-range and organic turkeys. Find organic versions of other traditional dishes at these popular stores as well. See www.traderjoes.com and www.wholefoods.com for locations and store hours.
How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree
Your lovely evergreen is now a wilting, prickly post-Christmas pain in the neck. Is there an easy way to convert this mess into something environmentally helpful? Yes! Most counties and cities provide free curbside pickup and recycling. Your Christmas tree will be shredded into top-quality mulch, which some cities offer back for residents’ use.
» District of Columbia: The Department of Public Works will pick up and recycle residents’ Christmas trees from street curbs Jan. 3 to 13. Be sure to remove all lights, tinsel and decorations and watch for a citywide mailing of additional guidelines.
» Maryland and Virginia: Check your county or city Web site for curbside Christmas tree recycling options and guidelines. Arlington, Fairfax and Montgomery counties offer varying dates for curbside pickup. The City of Alexandria will pick up Christmas trees for recycling the first two Fridays of January only.
How to Give Back
Feel the need to give back to the community during the holiday season? There are numerous charitable outlets that focus on the less fortunate that would appreciate another helping hand.
» Give blood: Your donation could mean the difference between life and death for someone, since blood banks tend to run low around the holidays. The Washington Hospital Center’s Blood Donor Center is open between Christmas and New Year’s. The center is located at 110 Irving St. in Northwest D.C. Call 202-877-5250.
» Volunteer: The N Street Village needs volunteers the night of Christmas Eve, Christmas morning and the evening of Dec. 26. The shelter is located at 1333 N St. in Northwest D.C. Call 202-939-2076 or visit www.nstreetvillage.org for a volunteer information sheet.
Where to Attend a Christmas Service
» National Cathedral: No passes are left for the Christmas Eve service at the National Cathedral in Northwest D.C., but the public is still welcome to attend the Christmas Day services. The Eucharist is held at 9 a.m. and noon Christmas Day. Vespers on Christmas Day is at 4 p.m. See www.cathedral.org for more information.
» Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes: The professional choir at this downtown church is renowned for its soaring holy day performances. First Mass of Christmas will be held at 10 p.m. Christmas Eve with the music prelude starting at 9:30 p.m. Located at 12th Street and Massachusetts Avenue NW. Call 202-347-8161 for more information.
What to Do While the Turkey is Cooking
The kids have opened their gifts, eaten their chocolate oranges and are now bouncing off the walls. How to keep them entertained? Here are some options that adults might enjoy as well.
» Model Train Display: Hop over to Union Station to see the Norwegian Model Train Display in the main hall. Call 202-333-6000.
» Arlington Cemetery Wreath Display: For the past 15 years, more than 5,000 white headstones are decorated with holiday wreaths in a generous display of patriotism by the Worcester Wreath Company. Enjoy this spectacular sight until 5 p.m.
» Christmas Carol Charades: Play this classic Christmas Day game for added cheer and general hilarity. Families are divided into teams. A member of each team is chosen to draw the lyrics of a Christmas song out of a hat. He or she then acts out the lyrics until teammates correctly guess and sing the carol.
