I don't mean to scare you but Christmas is in two weeks. Less maybe, depending on when you're reading this. So we're talking, what, maybe eleven shopping days? Twelve if you're lucky. And that's if you're willing to face the malls or shell out for expedited shipping.

Don't get me wrong; we can help you out. Mommy Poppins can direct you to the finest holiday cheer, all the boat parades, Santa breakfasts (what is it with the Jingle dude and breakfast? Will someone buy him dinner already!?), Nutcrackers galore (no lie, this whole post could have been filled with nothing but Nutcracker); we can point you towards the most elaborately decorated houses, and we can even tell you where to find a spare reindeer (in case yours is in the shop), but as for what you're going to place under the tree...

... well, whaddya know? Looks like we can help you with that too. Turns out we've got a few giveaways coming up, You're going to want to pay close attention, read your email and check it twice, because you do not want to miss out on the serious swag we are giving away.

In the meantime, keep reading for our favorite picks for this weekend (think of it as an early Christmas present)...

Due to the snow on Saturday, some events may be canceled or postponed. So please check the event's official website before you head out! If you decide on having a fun snow day, make sure you read our post about the best sledding hills in NYC. Have fun out there!

With snow in the forecast, NYC should look like a veritable winter wonderland this weekend and there are lots of ways to get our there and experience the season. In addition to gawking at amazing department store windows, Christmas houses and seasonal shows, you can enjoy some of our favorite annual events like taking pictures with Santa at the Winter Garden, joining the noisy Unsilent Night parade through the Village and catching one of the many kid-friendly versions of The Nutcracker dancing around town. Saturday is also the controversial SantaCon or what my son calls "drunk Santa day." Keep an eye out for marauding Kris Kringles—some are nice but many are naughty so you may want to keep your distance.

These are just a few of the great things going. All of our best bets for the weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Holiday Fun Guide. Before heading out on your adventures, be sure to download our FREE Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app so you can find the best family destinations wherever you happen to be in NYC.

With the first snowfall of the season, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Keep the festive spirit going this weekend with all of the holiday events happening throughout the county. And in keeping with that holiday spirit, we'd like to thank our readers with our annual Biggest Holiday Giveaway! We're giving away amazing prizes including a family pack of tickets to see A Christmas Story at Madison Square Garden, Disney bluetooth speakers and headphones, Hello Kitty luggage and travel accessories, orchestra seats to The Christmas Spectacular and so much more! We're giving away prizes daily from December 16-25, so be sure to check out all the details on how to enter. Good luck! 

This weekend, take the family to Hilltop Hanover Farm in Yorktown for face painting, crafts, music and a children’s raffle at the Local Artisan Holiday Craft Fair while you get some of you Christmas shopping done. Holiday crafts and decorations are a fun way to keep the little ones busy at Cranberry Lake Preserve, The Field Library and the Trailside Nature Museum. Muscoot Farm is celebrating the holidays with Christmas Evening on the Farm on Saturday and Christmas on the Farm on Sunday.

Visit St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site in Mount Vernon for holiday music featuring harp, French horn and voice, with carols. Enjoy Breakfast with Santa in Ossining or have the little ones try their hand at yoga at the Katonah Museum of Art. Scarsdale Public Library is hosting yoga for children with special needs.

The Westchester County Center is hosting The Toy and Train Show on Sunday for all the train buffs out there. If your little ones are more into the arts, Katonah Art Center’s instructors will be on hand on Sunday for tours, demonstrations, and on-site instruction for their Open House and Free Arts Day.

Looking to see a show this weekend? Holiday Spectacular is running all weekend at Irvington Town Hall and you can see Cinderella Ballet at the Tarrytown Music Hall on Sunday.

Read on for our top weekend picks. If you see something that piques your interest, click through to the event listing to view full details. Looking for more options? Be sure to check our Event Calendar for more fun happening this weekend and beyond.

This weekend, get some seasonal shopping done at the Holiday Boutique in Oakdale, and at Shop For A Cause in Massapequa. Feeling more crafty? Bake and decorate cookies at Oh My Girls, create a gingerbread house at the Children's Museum of the East End, and design a beautiful holiday wreath at the Suffolk County Farm. Two great shows hit the stage. There's a performance of Mixed Nuts in Sag Harbor, and Max & Ruby In The Nutcracker Suite in Westbury. For plenty of ideas on how to enjoy all that the season has to offer, be sure to check out our Holiday Fun Guide. As always, check our events calendar every day for activities for the family. 

Another fun thing happening this month: Our Big Holiday Giveaway. Mommy Poppins is giving away more than $3,000 in prizes from December 16th to December 25th. We're also doing some flash giveaways all month long, so be sure to like our Facebook page to see what's coming up. Check back daily to enter to win one or all of these amazing prizes.

The weather has turned chilly in the city, which means parents everywhere scramble to one of Boston's museums to entertain cooped up toddlers. But that's not always easy when you have an infant and a toddler; you want to get out of the house, but the idea of fighting the crowds is daunting.  Now that I officially have “two in tow” I’ve been searching for more creative (READ: easier) places to take them that don’t require 1) A lot of walking around, and 2) A huge parking lot.   

The combination of kids, winter, and the city sure is a tough one.  Getting out of the house is key, but it doesn't have to be an epic adventure.  Here are 5 places that are manageable to bring an immobile infant and a toddler with energy to burn.

It is going to be a difficult weekend for many of us in Connecticut. Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. The town is not hosting any public memorials, and has requested all media outlets to stay away. Several faith communities are offering services, but if you don't plan on attending one it is best to give the people of Newtown privacy on this day. 

If you plan to be in the greater Hartford area on Saturday, there will be a  Run of Remembrance & Love event in West Hartford Center. This healing event, hosted by Kicking Asphalt Running Club and Lululemon, will be a 2.6 mile run/walk to remember those we lost and their families. Runners, walkers, strollers, dogs and spectators are all welcome to show support. 

I know I will plan to hug and kiss my son A LOT in addition to praying for those who would give anything to have their children back. I also plan to brighten my spirits by taking advantage of the seasonal events happening this weekend. If you could use something to look forward to, please check out our CT Holiday Fun Guide, December Go List.  Santa Pictures and Holiday Light Shows in Fairfield County and Hartford County, and Holiday Train Rides with Santa. Also check back often on our site. Our Mommy Poppins Holiday Giveaway begins this week and you won't want to miss out on all sorts of great prizes. Over $3,000 worth of prizes!! Enter our Biggest Holiday Giveaway for your chance to win some amazing gifts!

Here are some fun suggestions for this weekend. 

With so many awesome events in New Jersey, it’s going to be hard NOT to get into the holiday spirit this weekend! If you’re looking to take in a classic Christmas show, get your tickets to see A Christmas Carol at Princeton University or the family-favorite Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at The Growing Stage. There are also plenty of opportunities to meet the Big Man himself, whether you hop aboard the Christmas Express at the NJ Museum of Transportation or attend a festive Santa Brunch at Camden Children’s Garden. And remember, you can find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

Whether it’s a birthday bash for your little one or a holiday soiree at school or home, parents want to come up with the perfect party favors to send home with their guests. Through the years, I’ve spent a lot of time making homemade favors—and a small fortune buying them—until I stumbled upon these stores. These one-stop shops can save moms time, money and stress, while also offering fun and creative favors you won't find in a mainstream party store. Whether you want to buy premade or get some DIY supplies, there's sure to be something for any theme or celebration. And for more party inspiration, check out our Long Island Party Guide.