last night, i went out with santa claus
we hit the town and broke a couple laws…
we decked the halls and swung all through the night
he said “hey bartender, give me a drink”
i said “no more, man, ’cause I can’t think”
last night, i went out with santa claus…*
having anticipation for a new year is not new. making predictions and resolutions are as elemental to the month of december as the holidays. but with that anticipation often comes some apprehension. still, there are those who seem to take on the world, year after year, with a certain élan that makes you wonder if they have a crystal ball in their pockets. donna karan once told me one of her keys to life was to “go somewhere you’ve never been. be open and go with the flow. it’s the only way.” in looking ahead, we thought it was a good time to check back with karan for a little inspiration. luminaries like her, kevin james and kate mckinnon have brought us a lot of joy this past year. pulse checked in on them and a few other key long islanders in our looking forward to find out what they’re excited about for the coming year.
that optimism is palpable throughout this issue. as is an interest in newness. the challenge each december is to honor the familiar—traditions, gift essentials, festivities and other sought-after requisites of the season. but also to find what’s new, which shows itself in all sorts of ways.
art is central to that, playing an interesting role in this year’s holidays. our talking walls column captures this in the most literal sense. writer mary gregory shines a light on the met, whose curators take us on a journey to jerusalem during the period 1000-1400, when the city was a unique melting pot, nurturing artists from every creed and culture. it’s also a look at the tolerance and open-heartedness of the past that we can all use a little more of these days.
danielle merollo of americana manhasset is the subject of our tastemakers column. merollo, director of personal shopping services at the fashion shangri-la, also fills the part of stylist, personal assistant and life coach. along with her interview, she lent her talents to our pages as a forecaster of the style staples needed this season in purchasing power. our trendspotting department is composed of the pieces to suit any naughty or nice look (your own, or a special someone’s on your list). but the big news is really our holiday gifted 2016. this separate look book dropped the week before thanksgiving to offer a leg up on holiday shopping. our june 2016 summer almanac was the first of our expanding print portfolio and gifted joins the lineup as part of our permanent calendar.
entertaining at home is making a come back this year. exotic cocktails are exploding in popularity too, as is the personality cult surrounding certain bartenders. holiday spirits is our feature melding the two in time for pouring guests new traditions with one common thread: recipes of an international spirit designed by the city’s most celebrated barkeeps. similarly, our wine column took a turn at a warming trend. smells like holiday spirit decodes the mystery of mulled wine (aka glögg) that fills european homes with comforting scents all winter. and red zone columnist niko krommydas checked in with five master brewers to find the specialty draughts they’re offering to beat the ’brrr.
the party that starts on our front cover, part of our after party fashion story, continues throughout the issue—a feeling we’re all more than ready for after some of the events that shaped 2016. the sense that we can all (finally) kick back and enjoy is overwhelmingly welcome. cheers!
when santa comes into my town
he always sticks around
we always hit the wildest place
’cause you gotta be bad for goodness sake*
—nada
* “last night (i went out with santa claus),” big bad voodoo daddy