If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving this week, don’t finalize your menu before you check out this roundup of favorite holiday recipes by pastry chef and food-blogger extraordinaire David Lebovitz.

“‘He’s coming down the chimney soon,’ Father grumbled, his hand caressing the barrel of the Frog Shooter on his lap.” At waltbox, Walt Walker writes a fictional account of a comedically dysfunctional family Christmas.

Helen Hayward on not writing Christmas cards: “I’ve always struggled to describe an entire year in a hundred words inside a Christmas card. I find it even harder this year. Because this year it’s clear to me that my life isn’t going to plan.”