1. Hygge it Up
BRIANNA SCHUBERT, ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR
When the weather gets colder – and I’m sorry if my editor pick is where you find out that this weekend it is going to get much, much colder – I like to tap into all things hygge. I wrote a story last year about how to bring hygge into your life in Milwaukee, but the gist is that hygge is a Danish word and concept that means creating a sense of coziness and well-being. I personally like to light a candle or two, cuddle up under a fuzzy blanket, throw on some pajamas, make some hot cocoa and crack open a good book. It’s cozy, it’s cuddly and it gives me all the warmth I need when it’s 8 degrees outside, like it’ll be this weekend.
2. Holiday Prep 2.0: Bake Some Cookies
ANN CHRISTENSON, SENIOR DINING EDITOR
Even if the winter holidays aren’t exactly your thing, embrace the bake! It warms up your kitchen on these cold days, puts you in a good mood and gives you a hand-made treat to keep or share. I started off my baking over the weekend, which included one of the recipes from our December 2020 Holiday Handbook issue. It’s the old-school pecan tassies – like mini pecan pies. Yum!
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3. See A Christmas Carol
ALLI WATTERS, DIGITAL & CULTURE EDITOR
Going to see the Milwaukee Rep’s A Christmas Carol is one of my favorite holiday traditions. For many years now, my talented cousin Rána Roman has played the role of Mrs. Cratchit, and beyond that the show is just consistently spectacular. From the turning sets and falling snow to the costumes and music, it’s brimming with Christmas spirit. Plus, this year there’s a new actor playing Scrooge, and he’s fantastic. The last showing will be on Christmas Eve.
4. Grab a Drink at the Surprisingly Bumpin’ Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel Bar
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
A couple weeks ago, we celebrated Milwaukee Magazine‘s Betty Awards, our annual event honoring local women. We held the event, as always, at Saint Kate, and afterward we went down to the bar to enjoy some champagne with the honorees. Around about 5 p.m., the bar, which is in the hotel’s lobby, started to kinda pop off. There was a DJ spinning tunes, and a crowd formed, and dare I say, a real cool vibe began to coalesce. I’ve always liked Saint Kate for the carefully curated galleries and beautiful look of the place, but I never expected its bar to be so much fun. And on a Tuesday of all things. Yet another bar to add to my list.
5. Head to Chicago to check out The Color Factory
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Probably the best way to describe The Color Factory (233 S. Wacker Dr.) is an “interactive art exhibit,” but that is woefully inadequate. It’s an enveloping exploration of color designed by various artists through all of the senses – with, even, little sweet treats throughout the museum’s distinct rooms designed by separate artists. Photos are a big part of the experience, either through unique environments built for selfies or the dozen or so camera stations built into the museum that email pics to you after your visit. Bonus: It’s in the Willis Tower, so an always-spectacular trip up to the Skydeck is super easy.
