From Eve Andrews, at Grist: “Modern Christmas as its best self, I think, is a celebration of security and abundance and love, but that all takes place against a pervasive background fear that those things might be impermanent.”

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.”