Who ordered winter?! It feels like we had two days of fall and skipped right to the cold. With the chilly air comes the holidays, and whether you’re celebrating by volunteering, giving to those less fortunate or trying to figure out how to get out of cooking a massive Thanksgiving dinner, we’ve got the goods on how to bring the most to your holiday season.

For it is in giving that we receive

While we may be traveling or getting together with our families for the holidays, it’s always important to remember that may not be the case for everyone. Lots of area charities have ways to pitch in and help out, like donating for food baskets or giving a toy for a child in need.

A big, easy Thanksgiving

So you aren’t interested in sweating over a stove the whole day, or maybe your cooking just isn’t as good as ya mom n’ems. Not to worry, there are lot of places open for Thanksgiving, and a good number or them aren’t in the French Quarter. Places like Messina’s Runway Cafe and The Country Club are serving up staples like gumbo, turkey and pumpkin pie. You should definitely start whittling your choices down ASAP, because most restaurants require a reservation on holidays.

What’s a holiday without a parade?

Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween: we really don’t do holidays without parades here. But this year, New Orleans East is planning its first Christmas Parade, and we think yule love it! According to New Orleans Council member Cyndi Nguyen, who represents the East, the Jingle on the Boulevard Parade will feature Santa Claus, a variety of holiday characters, marching units and signature throws.

It’s never too early to start thinking about Mardi Gras

Speaking of parades, there’s a new one hitting St. Charles Avenue on 12th Night (Jan. 6), which is just days after Christmas and the official kickoff of the Mardi Gras season. The Funky Uptown Krewe will be the second streetcar krewe to parade that night, after the Phunny Phorty Phellows. Mannie Fresh will be doing a DJ set live on the streetcar, and the signature throw? A mixtape full of New Orleans originals, including the Hot 8 Brass Band and Cowboy Mouth.

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