The Philadelphia (Christmas) Story

Rome, Paris and London. We considered them all. But who wants fancy-schmancy Europe when you can spend Christmas in Philly. Obviously.

If these three hotties- Will Smith, Bradley Cooper, and Ben Franklin- can't convince you. Maybe this will:

8. Cousins. Little cousins for days. . . Inevitably, you, reader, (most likely in Russia if my "viewership tracking" is accurate) can understand the import of cousins.  Cousins with whom you stay up till midnight in your Christmas pajamas and eat Munchkins until you're sick and choreograph your "Whip" routine.  My kids did. And after several nights of gladiator games on floors littered with legos, subsisting on Cheetos and Sprite, they asked my sister to officially adopt them.

We (reluctantly) intervened.

7. Adult Cousins. Even better. All the fun but with credit cards and no curfew. If you're lucky, they will offer up their minivan as the party bus and go dancing for one (semi) crazy (sadly early) night out. Like party moms do.  But my cousin Jake is the real hero. More impressive than his military record is that he knowingly accompanied my tiny entourage on a tour de Dickens Village, the Philadelphia Christmas Market and the Macy's Light display. All without the aid of alcohol. Pretty much a Christmas miracle.

6. Friends from College. What better season to reminisce with someone who loved you back when you wore glitter eye shadow. These are friends for life. Bonded by commiseration and shame and papered dorm rooms with Abercrombie bags.   Through "Freshman 15" thick and "Moms have no time to eat" thin.  Heart them. Always.

5. Christmas parties. Birthday parties. Dedication parties. If you like to spend money and to par-tay, then the holidays in Philadelphia is for you. Bonus: You feel super popular for a solid week. Your Facebook feed will be filled with you looking festive, a bit flushed but flanked by family and friends. You're basically a celebrity.  Toss in a  baby dedication for your chunky, cherubic niece and you're just a funeral shy of a full-life cycle of parties in a mere week or two. 

4. Ice-Skating. Sure, Rockefeller Center is pretty swank. But less is more with the ice-rink in Philadelphia's City Hall. Right?  Plus, you can hashtag your photos with the obscure, #Rothmanicerink. If you're looking to win mom of the year -which is apparently rewarded with crow's feet- just take your kids and their cousins ice-skating.  I became a parenting legend after just 2 hours on ice and too much Justin Beieber.

3. Shopping. Philadelphia boasts some of the best shopping in the world.  Clincher: Nordstrom Rack.  You thought I might mention King of Prussia. Eh. Sure. That's great too. But, it's the Homegoods, the Marshalls, and the Kate Spade outlet that make me weep. Jason too, after he surveys the damage.  Not every visitor to Philadelphia gets to enjoy my mom's shopping savvy and aggressive resiliency in the face of a clearance rack. But I did. And it was the best.

Sadly, we have zero shopping pictures. But, we both looked not terrible here. So....

2. Family Game Night. I would fly from Pyongyang to compete in one of these.  Quick-witted and cunning, the participants never disappoint with dramatic theatrics and that salient Kulp sarcasm.  Loaded Questions is just as it sounds: an opportunity to say something (Christian-y) scandalous. But like your first kiss, you'll never forget that night and want to come back for more.

Oh and we celebrated this guy's birthday. Because he insisted. 

1. Christmas day. Philadelphia features the finest family I know. To spend a frenzied, festive Christmas day in their company is the stuff of Bing Crosby songs. They are flawed but they are perfect for me. Which is why -there is really no place like home for the holidays.

in the raw

aerial shot

The end of the Philadelphia (Christmas) story.