🎄😳 Boston’s tree gives “The Bachelor”

🎨 🎄You’re invited to our holiday paint party! We’re running out of spots for our holiday-themed paint and sip night at the Boston Public Market on Dec. 11. Laurel Greenfield Art has the watercolor prints, George Howell has the cocoa and lattes, but YOU supply the vibes. Use code BSIDE5 for $5 off your ticket.

🌝 P.S. If you find yourself outside tonight, take a look at the moon! It’s gonna be SUPER.

👀 What’s on tap today:

Up first…

🥟 On the first day of B-Side, the newsletter gave to me … 10 dumpling-making classes from Mei Mei Dumplings! The James Beard award-winning Mei Mei team teaches these hands-on classes at their Southie dumpling factory and classroom (one of our fave spots). You’ll learn to make authentic Chinese dumplings from scratch, from rolling to filling to folding, then pan-sear or steam them to perfection. 

👀 Want in? Be one of the first 10 members to fill out the form in your email TODAY between 10-11a.m. and the class is yours.

Now, onto our regularly scheduled programming …

’Twas the day before Boston’s tree lighting unfurled … not a creature was stirring, not even the Common squirrels. 

OK, OK, what we’re trying to say is that Boston’s holiday tree will be lit on the Common tonight, and as you may know, it has a pretty epic story:

🎄 The tree is an annual gift from Nova Scotia. In the winter of 1917, two military boats collided in Nova Scotia’s Halifax Harbour, causing a massive explosion that killed over 1,000 people, injured thousands more, and damaged part of the city. To make matters worse, an incoming blizzard stalled aid efforts from nearby cities. But that didn’t stop Boston from sending medical teams and supplies by train. As a “thank you,” Nova Scotia sent Boston a tree for Christmas the next year, and then another in 1971. And the rest is history. <3

📸 The annual selection process gives “The Bachelor.” Every year, Nova Scotians nominate their trees for consideration — some of which are planted with the role in mind. Then, a special committee chooses the winner, generally a 40- to 50-foot-tall red or white spruce or balsam fir, with good color and symmetry. From there, the winning tree gets cut down on TV (peep Mayor Wu with a chainsaw), appears in a Christmas parade, and even becomes a micro-influencer before it begins the journey to Boston.

⚡ Then, the setup begins. Which is a massive operation. The tree rides in on a truck then gets hoisted into the air, lowered into the ground, secured, and primped. After a day to settle in, the 5,000+ lights go up, and crews retest them daily (apparently, hungry squirrels can be a BIG problem). 

🌲 This year’s tree is a *stunnah*. Say hello to this 45-foot white spruce from Lunenburg County with perfect color and symmetry. She was planted over 40 years ago by Ronald and Claire Feener, who always said she’d be a great tree for Boston.

👀 Wanna see her for yourself? The ceremony kicks off TONIGHT at 6 p.m. on the Common. There will be treats, entertainment, and giveaways before the tree is officially lit shortly before 8.

🏛️🖼️ Why not escape into art at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum? Start with Robert T. Freeman: Allan Crite - American Griot, 2025 on the Façade, a vibrant, larger-than-life portrait surrounded by scenes inspired by Crite’s beloved Lower Roxbury and South End. Then step inside for Allan Rohan Crite: Urban Glory, a moving, career-spanning look at an artist who celebrated everyday beauty through community storytelling. Pre-booked reservations are recommended — and make sure to stop by Gift at the Gardner for Crite-inspired picks.

🗳️ BREAKING: Rep. Ayanna Pressley is … NOT running for Senate. Pressley officially shut down weeks of rumors about a potential run when she announced she’ll seek re-election for her current seat in the House instead (which should be an easy W). Although a future Senate campaign isn’t out of the question, being present for family and her current work in District 7 are her priorities right now, she said. This is great news for Sen. Ed Markey’s re-election campaign, considering polling showed her beating him and Rep. Seth Moulton in a three-way contest. 

🏒 A hot new bombshell (The Fleet) enters the villa (TD Garden). The Fleet will be skating up to Boston (again) for their first-ever game at TD Garden on April 11 against the Montréal Victoire, marking their fifth planned trip to Boston this season. With TD’s capacity of 17,850, this has the potential to be the Fleet’s biggest home game by a long shot. Both Lowell’s Tsongas Center and BU’s Agganis Arena (where they typically play) only seat around 6,000. Want in? Tickets drop at 10 a.m. on Dec. 5. Grab them here!

🥶 It’s about to get cold cold in Boston. Thanks to the literal polar vortex that’s rolling in overnight Thursday, Friday is looking frigid with an estimated high of 27 in Boston, and a low of (brace yourself) 10 degrees … without wind chill. That’s about 20 to 30 degrees below average for this time of year. The good news: It’ll be quick, with temps bouncing back slightly by the weekend. The bad news: We’re in for another cold snap next week. Here are some tips on staying warm. Good luck, babe.

🛍️ Seaport sample sale szn is BACK. This time, Rent the Runway is doling out up to 90% off fancy pants clothing and accessories at the Eclipse sample sale pop-up now through Dec. 7. And according to TikTok, the getting is GOOD. See: This $500 Polo ID bag for $85(!). Although prices aren’t displayed online, most folks say they range from $45 for a top to $60 for jeans and $85 for bags, much of which retails for hundreds more. Here are the deets. Happy shopping!

Below are some of the hottest local things to do. This month, B-Side Members can save more than $150 across our events, in addition to over 60 other awesome perks. 

🎁 Select Markets x B-Side Holiday Market | Dec. 6-7 | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. | MGM Fenway | FREE, or $15 Earlybird | We’re teaming up with Select Markets for a huge vintage and shop-local holiday market where you can find gifts for everyone on your list and enjoy fun activations like tooth gems, temp tats, and more! B-Side Members get $5 off early bird entry.

 🏒 Boston Fleet x Minnesota Frost | Dec. 7 | 3 p.m. | Agannis Arena | $45 regular, $35-$38 member | We’re teaming up with pro women’s hockey team Boston Fleet for 15-20% off home games for members. Next up, they take on the Minnesota Frost on Sunday. 

❄️ SoWa Winter Festival | Until Dec. 28 | SoWa Power Station | $10 | Check out South End’s maze of makers at SoWa Winter Festival, where you can grab a festive drink and soak up all the twinkly, cozy energy.

It’s also the 12 Days of DoorDash, where the only thing we’re gifting is good taste (and even better deals). First up: Sonsie. Save $8 on an order over $30 when using code SONSIEBG on DoorDash, and twirl pasta under the glow of Newbury Street’s bistro lights or twirl it on your couch in yesterday’s sweatshirt. Both chic. Both delicious. Both even better with a glass of wine.

This holiday season, millennials are trading beige and silver for tartan and velvet. A.k.a. “Ralph Lauren Christmas.” 

It’s this year’s hottest Christmas decor trend, according to the TikTok baddies. Think: The set of a Nora Ephron rom-com loaded with tartan, brass, velvet bows, and vintage details — basically, exactly what your rich Connecticut grandma has been doing for decades. Here’s a taste. 

Local designers see its popularity as a reaction to the millennial beige era of Christmas decor, which saw lots of ~neutrals~, white trees, and brown paper-wrapped gifts. Now, folks are apparently ready for a more colorful (but still tasteful) change of pace. 

You can read more about Ralph Lauren Christmas here.

— Written by Gia Orsino, Emily Schario, and Claire Nicholas

🎄 Thanks for reading! Gia’s pink Christmas tree could literally NEVER. 

💜 Special shoutout to today’s sponsor, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, for supporting local journalism and bringing culturally rich experiences to our city. 

🎁 The results are in: Thankfully, 92% of you liked our holiday gift of ~$8,000 worth of freebies! Reminder: There’s still time to opt in for FREE. One reader said: “Just subscribed. 🔥Bribery always works on me.” Good to know!

💃 Keep up with us @BostonBSide on IG, TikTok, and Twitter. Send comments and suggestions to [email protected] or [email protected].