Photo: Tony the Misfit/Flickr

Susan McCrory

This time of year can be so crazed. I wonder if you feel that odd time warp I do just about now? The days roll by on their inexorable march, but you are able to make EACH free moment of EACH passing day COUNT. You laugh, talk, eat, drink, cook, bake, wrap and clean up, then repeat the next day–all the while doing a million things for as many people and thereby slowing down those passing hours.

This post is about what you can look forward to, or rather what I hope you can look forward to, soon: that wonderfully sleepy period of days before New Year’s Eve when the work pace slows both at work and at home. Sleep in! Cook or don’t cook! Make phone calls! Take strolls!

If you head to downtown Boston for your stroll, make sure you first check out this website for the Mayor’s Holiday Special. Nearly four dozen restaurants — mostly in Boston and Cambridge — are offering discounts as part of this annual effort to boost foot traffic and business. There are offers for free appetizers, free desserts, 20% off entrées, deals on shopping, parking, etc. If anything, you can use this site as a jumping off point for ideas as to what you might like to do at your leisure, whether you spend a little, a lot, or nothing at all. Just the fresh air, the holiday lights, and the relaxed mood will keep your spirits high. And don’t forget your skates! They’ll come in handy on both the Boston and Cambridge sides of the Charles.  Enjoy!