While 2020 is shaping up to be a simpler holiday season, there's no reason to skimp on your favorite holiday foods. Forgo the heavy cooking and treat the family to a delicious takeout Christmas dinner or Christmas Eve meal to-go from a New Jersey restaurant or market. We've rounded up a handful of options for your Christmas meal, whether you want to have the whole meal catered or just need a few a la carte entrees, sides, and desserts to round out your holiday spread.

Check out these no-fuss Christmas dinner takeout options throughout New Jersey. While making your holiday preparations, consider visiting one of these Garden State Christmas tree farms, and catch up with St. Nick himself at one of these awesome Santa encounters.

The first storm of the season creates quite a stir for those of us who excitedly await a winter wonderland, and it's hard to match the thrill of holding tight to a sled while careening down one of these awesome sledding hills in the Hartford area. Winter lasts only about 12 weeks, so pack a thermos with hot chocolate, maybe grab an extra pair of mittens and socks, and embrace the snowy (and socially distant) adventures.

If you are looking to explore more winter activities, check out these Fairfield-Area sledding hills and our Connecticut Ski and Snow Sports Guide.

Few things are more quintessential than picking out the perfect Christmas tree. The smell of a fresh-cut pine is even sweeter when you've trekked to the farm, found the perfect Christmas tree for your family, chopped it down, loaded it on your car, and brought it home as a labor of love. The experience offers a chance for family bonding, fun seasonal photo opportunities, lots of laughs, and a diversion from the everyday.

We've rounded up eight cut-your-own Christmas tree farms in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. If you're not quite sure you're up to the challenge of chopping down your tree, many also offer fresh-cut trees to choose from.

So, load up the family station wagon and start a new holiday tradition this season. For more seasonal fun, visit our Holiday Fun Guide.

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Industry City has welcomed a brand new tenant: Powerhouse at IC is the newest outpost of the local indie bookstore chain. It brings a curated selection of literary titles and an impressive, diverse selection of children's books to the Sunset Park development.

Centrally located in the Food Hall of Building 2, Powerhouse at IC is open and airy, with sunlight pouring through large, industrial windows. With yellow accents, the space feels warm and inviting, ideal for perusing the shelves for your next great read or gift.

When winter weather turns into a day off from school it’s time to head for the hills—sledding hills, that is. We're lucky to have more than our fair share of awesome sledding hills here in Fairfield County, from gentle dips for toddlers and preschoolers to dramatic slopes that draw brave 'tweens and 'teens. Grab a thermos of cocoa, your warmest mittens, and yes—this year, at least—your face masks, of course.

Here is a list of some local favorite spots to spend a couple hours burning off that cabin fever. If you live in central Connecticut, check out these Hartford-area sledding hills, and for a little bit more of an adventure, visit our Connecticut Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing Guide.

On Sunday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a phased reopening for New York City's public schools, which have been shuttered since Thursday, November 19. School buildings reopen Monday, December 7, for elementary and early childhood students; District 75 students are eligible to return to school buildings on Thursday, December 10.

In an abrupt shift, de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza announced they would be moving away from the hybrid model; students who have opted for blended learning will be moved to full, five-day, in-person schedules as soon as schools can accommodate them with adequate space and staffing. There is still no timeline for middle and high school students to return to school buildings.

It's no secret Christmas light drive-thrus are the it attraction of the 2020 holiday season. In fact, just after we published this massive list of 20 must-see holiday drive-thrus in the tri-state area, we caught wind of another destination-worthy drive-thru. Fresh off the success of its summer drive-thru safari, Six Flags Great Adventure debuts a Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru on Monday, November 30.

The theme park is already a holiday destination for its weekends-only Holiday in the Park experience, but this new holiday lights drive-thru means you can visit Monday through Thursday nights to experience some holiday magic and over-the-top festive displays. Read on for the details on this new attraction, including how to score the required reservations, and find plenty more holiday happenings in our Holiday Guide or our Event Calendar.

The New York City Public School system's latest shutdown wasn't exactly a surprise to city parents, but that doesn't mean we can't all use a little support to get through this period, however long it lasts. From FREE child care to paid programs and info on FREE meals and DOE-issued devices, here's where New York City parents can turn for help right now.

Be sure to bookmark our Homeschool and Online School Guide for parent-tested tips, tricks, helpful hacks, and more to break up the monotony of remote learning.