If you work from home full-time or even part-time, having a dedicated space in your home to sit down and focus is crucial. It should be a comfortable, organized space and everything you need should be easily accessible. And, luckily, creating a motivating workspace doesn’t have to be expensive.

The first step in creating the home office of your dreams is to select the right space or room. It’s most ideal to find a spot with natural light and possibly a nice view of the outdoors. Once you have this selected, consider adding a fresh coat of paint to set the tone for your workspace or select a bright, fun wallpaper print.

Next, it’s time to furniture shop! Measure your office area and find a desk that fits. To avoid overspending on this piece, think outside the box and look on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or Craigslist. Do you have room for a comfy chair or sitting bench? You may also want a floor or desk lamp, bookshelf, or side table to fill out the room. You can also find these for a reasonable price on these sites.

Once you have your furniture in place, hunt for organizational items like a drawer set if your desk doesn’t have one, desk organizer, file holder, pen holder, and more. Keeping your space clean and organized will help you stay motivated and focused. Then add some desk décor, plants, and wall art into the mix. All these items are fairly inexpensive and can be found at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, or on Amazon.

Virtual: While we can’t visit the Museum of Science and Industry this year for their annual Christmas Around the World exhibit, we can still experience the sights from the comfort of our homes. The museum provides free 45-minute virtual tours of this magnificent holiday display featuring over 30,000 lights covering the trees along with the stories connected to each one from MSI’s Manager of Volunteer Projects, Kristina Wilkes. According to the museum’s website, the next live viewing will be on December 18th at 3:30 pm. Find more info here. 

Citywide: Now through December 24th, you can catch Santa and his reindeer making their way through the city with the CTA Holiday Train and Bus annual event. While we can’t climb onboard this year due to the pandemic, we can still get a glimpse of Santa throughout the month as he rides the rails in all of our favorite Chicago neighborhoods. Santa’s train car is decked out in seasonal images and adorned with twinkling lights, which will bring a smile to even the biggest scrooge among us. Even though passengers cannot board the “out of service” holiday trains and buses to ensure social distancing, it will be a welcoming sight and bring a feeling of joy in a year that can definitely use some. Check ahead of time to see when you catch Santa making his way through your neck of the woods. Find more info here.

Virtual: This holiday season, Manuel Cinema uses its interdisciplinary performance collective to create a truly unique and virtual version of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. This 60-minute performance performed live from Manuel Cinema’s Chicago stage studio uses hundreds of puppets, miniatures, and a live score to retell the classic tale. In this version, Christmas skeptic Aunt Trudy is recruited to stage A Christmas Carol puppet show for her family via Zoom. As Trudy begins to feel the holiday spirit, the puppets take on a life of their own, resulting in a one of a kind retelling of this beloved story. The next streaming performance is Wednesday, December 9th, and continues until Sunday, December 20th. Individual tickets are $15 per household, or you can purchase viewing for two to three viewers for $30. Find more info here.

Virtual: Celebrated musician and songwriter Andrew Bird usually performs multiple nights at Fourth Presbyterian Church around this time of year to the delight of Chicago music lovers. However, this year as we know, live performances aren’t in the cards. You can still catch Bird perform his annual “Gezelligheid” concert via streaming on December 13th at 6 pm. This year, Bird will perform a cozy violin set live from California’s mountains, including highlights throughout his storied career. Tickets are $20 for an advanced streaming pass and $25 for a day of streaming pass on the 13th. Included with each purchase is an archival streaming performance of Bird’s 2013 set from the Fourth Presbyterian Church right here in Chicago. Find more info here.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

We have been told for years we need to eat more vegetables. But many people, especially children, have an aversion to this food group. Many of us are simply bored with veggies and looking for a great way to enjoy this very healthful food—the cure is roasting. 

Roasting brings out the natural sugars and intensifies the flavor. With the addition of some healthy oil, herbs, and spices, you can create a beautiful and flavorful side or even a main dish.

First, think outside the box when picking your roasting vegetables. We are used to roasting root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and parsnips. But look beyond to all the cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. Add squash like zucchini, yellow, acorn, and butternut for a sweet flavor explosion. Onions, bell peppers, and even tomatoes can be roasted. If you are not sure if a vegetable can be roasted, just try it out. You never know how great it can be. 

Vegetables will roast at different times depending on the vegetable type, size of the cut, and temperature. You are looking for the vegetable to have a little char; that is the flavor. You may have to go a little longer than you think to get that bit of black on the edges.

Do not skimp on the oil. Healthy oil like olive or avocado oil is good for you, and you need every bit to be coated with the oil. A couple tablespoons are usually enough. Toss your bite-sized veggies with your hands in a bowl to coat them all. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet leaving space in between each piece. Crowding the pan too much will steam the vegetables, not roast them. 

Next, add your seasonings. Again, be generous but not too much. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper are sufficient, but be creative and add whatever strikes your fancy. Garlic is always a good choice. Roast an entire bulb of garlic in olive oil wrapped in foil till soft. This makes a great spread on fresh French bread. Italian seasoning and rosemary are great on root vegetables. Roast in a hot preheated oven set at 425 degrees till you see edges turn toasty. Start checking after 15 minutes. Do dry the vegetable pieces as much as you can for better roasting.

Vegetables do take varying times to get roasted. Soft vegetables like peppers, green beans, zucchini, and asparagus can take 10-20 minutes. Cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and broccoli take around 15-25 minutes. Root vegetables take the longest, 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces. If you like to do a medley of different types of vegetables, there are a couple of ways to accomplish this. Roast in stages, start with root vegetables, and add vegetables according to their cooking time, making sure they have enough space. You can also roast the different types separately and combine them when cooked.

Try this out the next time you cook some veggies, remember ¾ of your plate should be vegetables for a healthy meal.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

It’s time to kick this holiday season into high gear by continuing to celebrate our usual holiday traditions, although much differently this year! After all, there’s only three weekends before Christmas! Who’s ready for some jolly time!!

Come one, come all to the Miracle on West Madison (645 W. Madison St.) or the Holly Jolly Drive-In (2833 N. Sheffield Ave.) for a 1.5-hour, family-friendly experience on Saturdays and Sundays (4:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.) now through December 13th for Miracle on Madison and December 6th for Holly Jolly Drive-In. Experience a holiday movie with enhanced twinkling décor and appearances by Santa, Mrs. Claus, reindeer, The Grinch, and many other favorite characters as you watch Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer and other family classics offered at both locations!

For over 19 years, the American Blues Theater has treated audiences to a live retelling of Frank Capra’s classic It’s A Wonderful Life in a 1940’s radio broadcast tradition. However, since this year has been filled with much uncertainty, the American Blues Theater has decided to continue this holiday tradition by bringing It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! online now through January 2nd, 2021. This critically acclaimed holiday favorite is filled with original music and classic holiday carols as well! And not only will each performance be live, but it will also be interactive, bringing their popular audiograms to audience members during every performance!! The only thing missing will be the milk and cookies served by the actors afterward in the lobby.

Chicago Detours brings you Virtual Holiday Stories Happy Hour every Saturday in December at 4:00 p.m. Guests will dive into the hidden histories behind some of Chicago’s most beloved traditions such as virtually traveling down the “Great State Street” to see holiday landmarks as well as marvel at the immersive indoor architecture of must-see holiday locales like the Palmer House, and much, much more. This event includes live narration by two expert Chicago Detours event hosts, a fun mix of visuals, creative challenges, and other interactive elements. It’s a virtual social dynamic unlike any other virtual thing you’ll do this holiday season!!

Experience a new family tradition this holiday season by loading up the car and taking a drive to Let It Shine / Drive Thru Lightshow at Northbrook Court’s West Lot (1515 Lake Cook Rd.) now through January 9th, 2021. It’s the largest drive-thru world of lights immersing you into a wonderland of light displays synchronized to holiday classics, all from the comfort of your car! You’ll be filled with holiday cheer as you drive past dazzling archways, sparkling candy canes, glowing snowmen, and more illuminated installations for a show like no other!!

For my family and friends who celebrate the Hanukkah holiday this month as well, Strawdog Theatre Company’s annual holiday hit Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins will be reimagined in an all-new virtual production performed live on Saturdays and Sundays now through December 20th. This story comes to life with music and a little bit of magic for families of all ages to sing along and enjoy! Will Hershel of Ostropol outsmart the goblins who haunt the old synagogue so that villagers can celebrate Hanukkah? You’ll have to tune-in!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

The holiday season is in full stride here in Chicago. While indoor dining is not available, there are plenty of great options to grab a bite throughout the city and partake in this special time of year’s festivities. Let’s take a look at what’s going down in some of our favorite Chicago neighborhoods as we approach Christmas.

The Loop: Head over to the LondonHouse Chicago, located at 85 East Wacker Drive on the 22nd-floor terrace, for the Rudolph’s Holiday Rooftop pop-up. Surround yourself with amazing views of the city as well as giant nutcrackers, festive lights, and holiday-themed poinsettias while enjoying delicious food and drink at this classy Loop hotel. Highlights on their holiday bites menu include crepe sushi (smoked salmon, cream cheese, tobiko), lobster mac & cheese, and grilled cheese and tomato soup, among many other options. 

Signature cocktails created just for this rooftop experience include the Ugly Sweater (Don Julio Blanco, mango, habanero, orange), the warming Sleigh Wreck (Bullet Rye, Bailey’s Apple Pie, Earl Grey, cinnamon, whipped cream), Reindeer Games (Tanqueray Gin, Arctic Berry Red Bull, blueberry, lemon), Bad Santa (Zacapa 23 Rum, Crème de Banane, Carpano Antica, toasted coconut, absinthe), and Naughty & Nice (Ketel One Peach Orange Blossom, Danica Rose, raspberry, hibiscus, lemon).

Be sure to make reservations, as seating is limited to 50 guests with a maximum of six per table. Each reservation is limited to two hours of dining service, and social distancing is a requirement. Don’t forget to dress warmly as this event runs daily until January 3rd. 

West Loop: The Press Room, located at 1134 West Washington Boulevard, is once again presenting its Miracle on Washington Street pop-up, mixing an outdoor market with food created by Chef Jeff Williams. The market features unique holiday gifts ranging from hand-crafted ornaments from local vendors to The Press Room’s wine selection, pasta kits, and cocktails to go that you can purchase.

The menu at this holiday market features schnitzel sandwiches, potato pancakes, sourdough pretzels, and Nutella waffles, among many other great eats. On the beverage side, you can’t go wrong with the spiked cider, hot toddy, old fashioned, and Christmas punch.

Tickets are $25, which reserves 90 minutes to shop through the market, a craft cocktail in a commemorative mug, and a reserved patio table to enjoy the delicious food available. The Miracle on Washington Street is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm until December 23rd.

Lincoln Park: Gemini, located at 2075 North Lincoln Avenue, have their Holiday Hut up and running to help take the cold out of this holiday season. You can pick up (or have delivered) their homemade hot cocoa with individually wrapped marshmallows and whipped cream. Or, if you are looking for a bit more kick in your beverage, you can choose from cocoa, coffee (regular or decaf), or spice cider spiked with Jameson or Fireball. Seasonal cookies available include oatmeal butterscotch, holiday sprinkle, and Tish’s Special Toffee. The Gemini Holiday Hut is open Sunday through Thursday from 3 pm to 8 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 3 pm to 9 pm.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO