The weather outside was frightful, but the CityDog Yappy Howlidays Party was quite delightful!

Elise Vincentini, owner of Downtown Dog Lounge, and Brandie Ahlgren, publisher of CityDog Magazine, enjoying some holiday cheer at the W Hotel Seattle.

Photos by John Martinotti, JM Photo Works.

Last chance to receive CityDog in time to slip under the Christmas tree!

The weather outside may be frightful, but a gift subscription to CityDog is quite delightful. We pack each issue with where to stay and where to play with your dog in the West. And, if you order your subscription by Saturday, we'll get it to you in plenty of time to sneak under the tree for that special dog lover in your life. We'll also include a cool canine gift card with your own personal greeting. Give the gift that has tails wagging or treat yourself...click HERE to subscribe today!

Looking for a last minute gift to give that dog lover in your life? The 2009 CityDogs Calendar will have tails wagging 365 days of the year! Each day is a new dog's smiling face and each month features the beautiful photography of Seattle pet photographer J. Nichole Smith. If you love dogs or know someone who loves dogs, then you will love this calendar! $19.99 plus tax/S&H

Click HERE to order today and we'll include the holiday issue of CityDog for FREE!

For more gift ideas for under $20, click here.

Happy holidays from all of us at CityDog Magazine! Looking ahead to the new year, it's never too early to mark your social calendar and we invite you to do just that...mark your calendar for the CityDog Puppy Love MuttMixer on Wednesday, February 11 at the swanky and dog friendly W Hotel Seattle.

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren, founder
CityDog Magazine

Pasado's Safe Haven is on call to help

With freezing temperatures in the Northwest, Pasado's Safe Haven is coming to the rescue of animals, providing blankets, shelter, food and more. Many of you brought donations to the CityDog Yappy Howlidays Party last week, but if you would like to donate more, Pasado's needs horse blankets size 81 and above, dog and cat shelters, beds and dog coats plus pet food and flea treatment (very important as freezing animals will die if infested with parasites).

TIPS TO KEEP ANIMALS SAFE

• Feed your animal more (they need extra energy to combat the cold)
• Replenish fresh water (assure it’s not frozen)
• De-flea pets; de-lice farm animals as they will die from anemia in the cold temperatures
• Provide shelter from the cold against North and East winds
• If low-income, call Pasado’s Safe Haven and they’ll help! 360-793-9393

Pasado’s Safe Haven also needs more volunteers to help distribute items. Please go to www.pasadosafehaven.org to volunteer or to donate a dog house or other needed items.

Thank you!

Thanks everyone for attending the CityDog Yappy Howlidays Party!

Thank you to everyone who turned out lastnight for the fourth annual CityDog Yappy Howlidays Party at the W Hotel Seattle. We packed 'em in, with about 150 people and 80 or so dogs in attendance! And, thank you to those who brought donations for Pasado's Safe Haven. Your generous gift(s) will go a long way to helping the poor and homeless care for their pets during the holiday season.

Party pictures to come soon! And, it's never too early to mark your calendar for the next CityDog event...

What: CityDog Puppy Love MuttMixer
Where: W Hotel Seattle
When: Wednesday, February 11, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren
CityDog Magazine

Photo by John Martinotti

The fight against puppy mills goes on

Due to the efforts of Best Friends Animal Society and its "Puppy-Store-Free L.A." campaign, the posh Beverly Center in Los Angeles has indicated their intent to sever their relationship with Pet Love, a pet store that has sold thousands of animals from irresponsible breeders and puppy mills for 15 years.

The impending closure of a high end pet store in Los Angeles is a signal to the rest of the nation that Los Angeles consumers are becoming aware of the evils of puppy mills and how they fuel the pet overpopulation problem in the United States.

Pet Love was the subject of an undercover investigation that revealed illegal and improper usage of medication on the puppies for sale in the store, and was cited by Los Angeles Animal Control for similar violations.

Hundreds of Beverly Center patrons and employees have signed a petition expressing their concerns about Pet Love's practices of selling sick dogs. Many of these died within a week after purchase. There have been complaints and lawsuits against the store as a result of the store's responses to those incidences.

Best Friends tried to convince the owners of Pet Love to convert to a humane business model by providing the public with rescued animals for adoption. But they refused. Best Friends also offered to help in the transition, including the acquisition of animals. Not only did the Pet Love owners turn this down, they threatened Best Friends with litigation.

Bye bye Pet Love. Keep up the good work Best Friends!

2009 CityDogs Calendar Sneak Peek: December

Meet Lola, Oscar, Roxy and Josie, our calendar dogs for the month of December. These four pooches hosted a holiday party at their pad, complete with canine truffles from Petit Four Legs.

That's it for the calendar sneak peeks! To order your 2009 CityDogs Calendar, featuring close to 500 Seattle area dogs, click here.

Happy howlidays!
Brandie Ahlgren, founder & editor
CityDog Magazine

2009 CityDogs Calendar Sneak Peek: November

Meet Fergie, our gorgeous calendar girl for the month of November. Fergie's mom happens to be Seattle pet photographer Jamie Pflughoeft with Cowbelly Pet Photography.

Be sure to order your calendars soon! We want to be sure to get them to you in plenty of time for the holidays!

Five thrifty gifts for Fido that will have tails wagging

These days, it seems everyone needs to penny-pinch a little, but in the spirit of the holidays, we've found some great gifts for your hound that won't break the bank. Here are some ideas for under $20 that will have tails wagging at your house this holiday season!

Mom & Pup Bakery, $9.99. Mom & Pup Bakery specializes in gourmet soft dog treats that are easy to eat and yummy for your dog's tummy. Treats are perfect for small dogs, older dogs, and any dog that simply loves a scrumptious snack. Each 8oz package comes in a variety of lip-smacking flavors! momandpupbakery.com

Poochie Bells, $16.50. We've all seen it: that urgent look our pooch gives us when it's REALLY time to go! Or, worse - an accident when we haven't made it to the door in time. Now you can train the family pooch to "ring" when it's time to go outside with its very own designer doggie doorbell. poochiebells.com.

Doggie Tricks & Treats, $9.95. Teach your old (or not-so-old) dog new tricks with the Hat Box Series Doggie Tricks & Treats. You'll find 25 recipe cards with delicious, nutritionally-sound treats plus three, tail-waggingly cool biscuit cutters in shapes like a fire hydrant, a heart and a bone. Once you have your treats, it's time for some tricks. Also included is a cute, little guidebook with various tricks for Fido to work for his treats. amazon.com

A Very Marley Christmas by John Grogan, $10.95. I don't know about you, but I'm convinced my dogs enjoy being read to - especially, if it's a dog tail (er, tale). This follow-up to the bestseller, Marley & Me, delivers a heartfelt holiday story with many hilarious Marley mishaps along the way. amazon.com

Good Clean Dog, $8 and up. Dogs are good. Good clean dogs are even better. Good Clean Dog, based in Burien, Wash., has created a line of yummy products to keep your good dog clean. The liquid shampoo is made with emollient oils to clean your dog's coat and moisturize skin. The conditioner softens, smoothes and detangles fur with pure oils of lemongrass and bay leaf to sweetly scent your pooch. In fine pet stores or goodcleandog.com.

CityDog Yappy Howlidays Pawty less than one week away!

Next Wednesday, the W Hotel will be rolling out the red carpet for Seattle area dog lovers and their holiday hounds! It's the much-anticipated fourth annual CityDog Yappy Howlidays Pawty and you and four-legged friend are invited to join us to mix and mingle, enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and if you're in the spirit, get a holiday portrait with Seattle pet photographer J. Nichole Smith of Dane + Dane Studios.

Where: W Hotel Seattle, 1112 4th Street, Seattle
When: Wednesday, December 10, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information, visit yappyhowlidays.com and to RSVP, email us with the number of humans and number of canines that will be attending at info@citydogmagazine.com.

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren, founder & editor
CityDog Magazine

2009 CityDogs Calendar Sneak Peek: October

Meet Branimir, our calendar dog for the month of October. Branimir is the pride and joy of Bill and Nicki Walters, founders of Seattle's own Pooper Trooper. You can meet Branimir at next week's CityDog Yappy Howlidays Party, December 10th at the swanky W Hotel Seattle. For more details, click here.

Click here to purchase your 2009 CityDogs Calendar today! We are donating $1 for every calendar sold to Reading With Rover, a non-profit children's literacy program involving kids, dogs and reading! As a magazine, we love supporting future readers! Woof!

Holiday pet gifts are a festive way to show your critters how much they mean to you

If you're making your list and checking it twice, don't forget the sometimes naughty, but always nice, four-legged members of your family. You might think that purchasing a gift for a pet is a bit extravagant these days, but there are plenty of affordable, practical presents to put under the tree for your pug or Persian. And, if you have a few animal lovers on your list -- and who doesn't? -- then you've come to the right place. We've discovered some great gift ideas for them, too.

To read more, click here.

2009 CityDogs Calendar Sneak Peek: September

Meet our calendar dog for the month of September, Railey, a gorgeous boxer and best friend to store proprietor Mark Smith of Railey's Leash & Treat, located in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood.

'Tis the season for a holiday portrait with your hound

'Tis the season for giving and with so many worthy causes, it's difficult to choose. Why not combine your love of animals with a holiday portrait of your favorite four-legged pal? Here are some upcoming dog-friendly holiday events to shop, play, mix, mingle, get a holiday portrait and give back -- all at the same time!

Pet Photos with Santa at Dooley's Dog House, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 1421 Market St., Kirkland. Bring your companion(s) in for a holiday photo and lots of fun. Photos are $20 with half of the proceeds going to Homeward Pet Adoption Center. Call Dooley's Dog House at 425-889-2200 for more information or to reserve your pet's sitting with Santa.

Holiday Passport to 2200, Dec. 5, 6 and 7, noon-6 p.m., South Lake Union. Come celebrate the holidays with your pooch in South Lake Union. Benefitting the Seattle Humane Society, the shops at 2200 will come alive with festive holiday music, tasty food and beverage samples, and holiday-themed photos for pets and their people with renowned Seattle pet photographer Bev Sparks (noon-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday). Several pets will be available for on-the-spot adoption. Get your 2200 holiday passport stamped for the chance to win great prizes. Visit discoverslu.com for more information.

Holiday Portraits at Lucky Dog Outfitters, Dec. 7, Tacoma. Do you have some animal lovers to check off your holiday shopping list? Swing by Lucky Dog Outfitters (3411 Sixth Ave., # B, Tacoma) for some gift buying, and bring your four-legged friend along for a photo with Seattle pet photographer J. Nichole Smith. For more information, call Lucky Dog Outfitters at 253-761-4486.

CityDog Magazine Yappy Howlidays Party, Dec. 10, 6-8 p.m. CityDog's much-anticipated, annual holiday party is right around the corner and you and your four-legged friends are invited to join the festivities at the W Hotel Seattle (1112 Fourth Ave.) for cocktails, holiday treats and pet portraits with Seattle pet photographer J. Nichole Smith of Dane + Dane Studios. For more info, visit yappyhowlidays.com.

Holiday Portraits at Next to Nature, Dec. 13, West Seattle (4543 California Ave. S.W.). Stop in at Next to Nature in the West Seattle Junction to pick up some toys and treats and a holiday photo with photographer J. Nichole Smith. Photo packages vary in price, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to help animals. For more information, call Next to Nature at 206-935-1134.

Photo by J. Nichole Smith, Dane + Dane Studios

2009 CityDogs Calendar Sneak Peek: August

Meet Autumn and Cayenne, our calendar dogs for the month of August! Autumn and Cayenne attended one of our cover dog model searches and although they didn't win, we thought they would be perfect for our Fall 2007 cover! So, you never know...by attending a CityDog event, your dog(s) may receive a "call back" to grace one of our covers.

And, speaking of CityDog events, mark your calendar for the fourth annual CityDog Yappy Howlidays party, December 10, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the swanky W Hotel Seattle!

To order your 2009 CityDogs Calendar, click here.

2009 CityDogs Calendar Sneak Peek: July

July is all about fun in the sun and this month's calendar dogs had a blast at the CityDog photo shoot for a dog-friendly backyard barbecue article. Chef John Howie of Seastar was even there with his dog Bella to fire up some delicious treats on the grill for humans and canines alike!

To order your 2009 CityDogs calendar or get a head start on your holiday gift buying online, click here and we'll take care of the rest!

You can also fill out and mail or fax this form, if you prefer.

Woof! CityDog Magazine

It's here! The special, holiday issue of CityDog Magazine, hot-off-the-press! We've packed it with great gift ideas for the dogs and dog lovers in your life, along with places to shop, stay and play. If you don't already subscribe, what are you waiting for? Subscribe today or give the gift that has tails wagging by clicking here.

Cover Dog Cohen in the News!

Cohen, our cover dog model search winner is getting some "press" on the West Seattle Blog and the West Seattle Thriftway Web site. Check 'em out!

Puppy Cam

Don't ask me why...but this is addictive! Watching puppies on a live puppy-cam. As I write this, the six shibu inu puppies are sleeping, but even that's a heck of a lot of fun to watch!

Click here to check 'em out.

Meet Wheeler, Dealer and Maxx...our calendar dogs for the month of June. Frenchie puppies, Wheeler and Dealer, graced the cover of CityDog Magazine's summer 2007 issue.

The 2009 CityDogs Calendar arrives tomorrow! We had a lot of fun putting it together and hope you enjoy it too -- especially looking through the hundreds of photos from our cover dog model searches! Click here to order today.

2009 CityDogs Calendar Sneak Peek: May

Meet Jessie Mei, our calendar girl for the month of May. Jessie was also our very first cover dog model search winner, gracing the Spring 2007 cover of CityDog Magazine.

Our 2008 CityDog Cover Dog Winner!

Drumroll, please...The winner of our 2008 cover dog model search is Cohen! It was a tight race, but Cohen came out on top of the pack, with a slight lead over his fellow cover dog competitors: Django, Jasper, Ritmo and Finnigan (see below). Alas, there can only be one winner, but because we think all dogs are cover dogs, we're including all of the contestants in the winter issue of CityDog Magazine -- all 450 of them! Plus, every contestant is featured in the 2009 CityDogs Calendar, arriving from the printer tomorrow! To order your calendar, click here. If you already ordered a calendar, it will be in the mail tomorrow.

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren, founder
CityDog Magazine

Mark Your Calendar for the Fourth Annual CityDog Yappy Howlidays Party

It's never too early to mark your social calendar, especially during the busy holiday season! So, be sure to save the date for CityDog Magazine's fourth annual Yappy Howlidays party at the swanky and dog-friendly W Hotel Seattle , December 10, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Mix and mingle with fellow dog lovers, pose with your pal for a holiday portrait, enjoy specialty cocktails and hors d'oeurvres -- all in the swank surroundings of the W Hotel Seattle.

For more information, visit yappyhowlidays.com.

For more upcoming holiday events, be sure to pick up a copy of our hot-off-the-press, special holiday issue, availabel in pet stores and on newsstands next week! Or, subscribe here to receive CityDog -- the magazine about life and living with dogs in the West -- all year long!

Sneak Peek: Special Holiday Issue of CityDog!

It's official...as of today, the last page of the special, holiday issue of CityDog is at the printer! We've packed it with great gift ideas, dog-friendly winter escapes in the West, places to stay, shop and play in downtown Seattle, Portland and San Francisco, and much more! We're really proud of this issue and hope you enjoy it too!

If you don't already subscribe to CityDog, the magazine about life and living with dogs in the West, we invite you to do so here!

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren, founder & editor
CityDog Magazine

2009 CityDogs Calendar Sneak Peek: April

Meet Bainbridge Island resident, Henri, our calendar dog for the month of April!

Pre-order your 2009 CityDogs Calendar today at citydogseattle.com!

2009 CityDogs Calendar Sneak Peek: March

Meet Stu and Beau, residents of West Seattle and fans of CityDog Magazine! Close to 500 dogs are packed into the CityDogs Calendar...one for each day and then some!

Pre-order your 2009 CityDogs Calendar at citydogseattle.com. Thank you!

2009 CityDogs Calendar Sneak Peek: February

Meet Valentine, Bella and Lucy Goose -- three of the many four-legged guests who turned out for the annual CityDog Puppy Love Muttmixer at the swanky W Hotel Seattle.

Be sure to mark your calendar for the fourth annual CityDog Yappy Howlidays Muttmixer, December 10, 2008, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (also at the W Hotel Seattle).

And, speaking of calendars, be sure to pre-order your 2009 CityDogs Calendar today at citydogseattle.com.

2009 CityDogs Calendar Sneak Peek: January

Meet Mayhem and Warlock plus the other 35 smiling faces that comprise our January city dogs. To pre-order your calendar, go to citydogseattle.com. You can now order multiple calendars at a time, so if you have some dog lovers to check off your holiday shopping list, a CityDogs Calendar makes the perfect gift. Woof!

Snapshot of the 2009 CityDogs Calendar: the back cover...isn't it pretty?

Here is a sneak peek at the back cover of the 2009 CityDogs Calendar, with each month. Next week we will feature a calendar page a day, with all of the dogs' smiling faces! Be sure to pre-order your calendar today at citydogseattle.com!

Vote for the next CityDog cover dog!

We need your help! Please help us pick the winning dog to grace the cover of CityDog Magazine. Over the course of the summer, we held five cover dog model searches, raising close to $5,000 for area animal welfare organizations. These are our five finalists (to vote, scroll to the end of this blog and click on the email link):

Cohen helped raise close to $500 for the Doney Memorial Clinic at Thriftway in West Seattle.

Finnigan helped raise close to $1,000 for the Seattle Humane Society at FidoFEST.

Jasper helped raise close to $500 for PAWS at PAWSwalk.

Ritmo helped raise over $1,500 for Pasado's Safe Haven at Kirkland Uncorked.

Django helped raise over $1,000 for Reading With Rover at Fremont Oktoberfest.

TO VOTE, simply email info@citydogmagazine.com with the name of your favorite dog in the subject line. Thank you!

To check out all of the dogs entered in this year's CityDog cover dog model click here. I recommend viewing the galleries in a slideshow to get the full effect! If you need a smile today, this will do it! And, be sure to order your 2009 CityDogs Calendar featuring ALL of the dogs from the model search!

Poo, the short film

Poo, the short film from Mariposa on Vimeo.

As a dog magazine, we get some pretty interesting stuff emailed to us...this short film is no exception. Enjoy!

If you love this city...and you love dogs...then you'll love a CityDogs Calendar!

We're getting ready to go to print with the NEW 2009 CityDogs Calendar! It's been a blast looking at all of the photos from all of this year's CityDog cover dog model searches.

I think I mentioned earlier that quantities are limited, so be sure to order your calendar today! It's easy...just click here and we'll take care of the rest!

Need canine costume ideas for Halloween?

Read my blog on NWsource.com for canine costume ideas that will have your furry, four-legged fiend howling with delight! Then, check out these upcoming Halloween-themed events to show off your dog's new duds:

• Lil' Monster Costume Ball, Thursday, Oct. 16, 6-8 p.m., at Three Dog Bakery. The event will feature a costume contest, games, prizes, plenty of play time and "ruff"reshments for all.
• Halloween Howl, Saturday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Edmonds Off-Leash Area. Enjoy a costume contest, reduced-fee micro-chipping, dog licensing, vendor booths, raffles and a silent auction.
• Howl-O-Ween Party, Oct. 24, 7 p.m., at Downtown Dog Lounge on Capitol Hill. The event will feature a costume contest, games, snacks and refreshments.
• Dog-O-Ween, Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Genesee Park Off-Leash Area. Featuring a costume contest, food, prizes, vendor booths and a silent auction.

Boxers for Obama

About a week ago, a package arrived at my office and lo' and behold, it contained an "Obama for President" dog collar. I dug around to see if there was also a "McCain for President" collar inside, but to no avail. Guess that makes me part of the "liberal media."

I was curious though...so I went to the website www.muzzle-tov.com to see if they only sell Obama collars or if you can also buy a McCain collar. And yes, they sell collars for McCain mutts as well. In fact, they've sold 703 McCain collars to date. But hold on...they've also sold 1,915 Obama collars. Hmmmm...wonder if that's any indication of how this election will turn out?

Final cover dog model search of the year a success!

This past weekend we held our final cover dog model search of the year at FidoFEST. It was a blustery, rainy day, but dogs still turned out in droves making it one of our biggest model searches ever. Thank you to all of the contestants...you helped raise $1,000 for the Seattle Humane Society. To check out all of the canine contestants from FidoFEST, click here.

Pictured above is Finnigan, the winning dog from FidoFEST. Soon, we will be asking CityDog readers to vote for one dog to grace the cover of CityDog Magazine! Stay tuned!

Here are some more pictures from the event...

A contestant waits to hear the results (I love the terrier in the background..."who me?")

Braving the wind and rain at this year's FidoFEST.

A dog yoga...or "doga" demonstration. That's Rascal on the left...a cover dog contestant.

The wind-blown judges: Brandie Ahlgren, founder and editor of CityDog Magazine; Nicki Walters, co-owner of Pooper Trooper; and, Elise Vincentini, owner of Downtown Dog Lounge.

It was a family affair with kids and puppies...oh my!

Photography by J.Nichole Smith, Dane + Dane Studios, who managed to take some awesome shots while trying not to be blown away by the wind.

October is National Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog month

Today in the mail, I received a letter from PAWS and in it they mention that just in the past month, the number of dogs and cats brought to their shelter has significantly increased because families are no longer able to afford to care for them. In several cases, these guardians have lost their homes due to foreclosure and are moving into rental properties that do not allow animals.

If you are considering adopting a pet, there is no time like the present! October is National Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog month (and heck, let's make it adopt-a-shelter-cat month too), so celebrate your love for animals with a new addition to your family.

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren, founder & editor
CityDog Magazine

We're looking for favorite treat recipes from CityDog readers!

CityDog is working feverishly on our holiday issue and it's not only going to be packed with unique gift ideas for pooches and their people, but also great winter getaways, downtown shopping tips, and more. We're also compiling some favorite treat recipes and need your help!

If you have a treat recipe you'd like to share with fellow CityDog readers, please email it to brandie@citydogmagazine.com. Whoknows...we might just feature it in the holiday issue of CityDog Magazine and send you a treat of your own!

Woof!
Brandie Ahlgren, founder & editor
CityDog Magazine

Cover dog model search at Fremont Oktoberfest raises close to $1,000

It was another successful CityDog cover dog model search! Dogs of all shapes and sizes turned out at Fremont Oktoberfest to strut their stuff on the catwalk for the coveted cover of Seattle's own CityDog Magazine. Thank you to all of the contestants who helped raise close to $1,000 for a great organization, Reading With Rover.

Alas, there can only be one winner and that dog is Django, pictured here! We have one more model search to go this weekend at FidoFEST then we'll take the winners from each event held in and around Seattle this summer and ask you to vote for the winning dog to be on the cover of CityDog Magazine. It's very exciting!

And, ALL of the dogs -- every single one entered in a model search -- will be featured in the Winter 2008-'09 issue as well as in our NEW 2009 "CityDogs" Calendar!

To check out all of the canine contestants from the Oktoberfest cover dog model search, click here. Be sure to view it as a slideshow to get the full effect!

To register your dog for the CityDog Cover Dog Model Search at FidoFEST this Saturday, click here. This is the last chance for your pooch to be in the 2009 "CityDogs" Calendar. To pre-order your calendar, click here.

Pre-order your 2009 "CityDogs" calendar online!

We're live...! Simply click here to pre-order your 2009 "CityDogs" Calendar online today!

Pre-order your "CityDogs" Calendar today!

The NEW 2009 "CityDogs" Calendar featuring the gorgeous photography of J. Nichole Smith will be here soon! For the past three years, Nichole has photographed for CityDog close to 1,000 dogs in and around Seattle, so in addition to a beauty shot for each month, each day features a dog's smiling face -- all 365 days and then some! These are your dogs. These are your neighbors' dogs. These are your friends' dogs. These are your fellow dog park dogs. These are your CityDogs!

To pre-order your calendar, please click HERE. Calendars are just $19.99 plus tax/S&H. And, there is no limit to your order if you want to order some as gifts! Simply include a list of names and addresses plus a short greeting and we'll take care of the rest in time for the holidays!