We usually start nagging you to take down your holiday decorations before Valentine's Day but considering the weather, we waited until this holiday weekend to post our plea this year.
It is way past time to take down those crinkly, brown greens that went up in December.
Instead of festive, they now look depressing.
This goes for the parks department too. Although why anyone would think this lovely bridge needs to be hung with dead stuff is beyond me. If you can't take down holiday decorations in a timely manner, don't put them up.
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The holiday season and winter, in general, present some dangers and inconvenience for those of us with beloved cats or dogs in our lives. From deicers on sidewalks to ribbons on holiday gifts, we have to be alert and proactive to protect our pals.
Curious Kitties
Playful and curious cats can find a lot of ways to get into trouble around holiday greenery, decorations, and packages. Tinsel is not just pretty, it is attractive and could be deadly to cats.
The folks at Pet Insurers warn, “The shiny, dangling decoration reflects light and can move in the slightest draft — appearing to come alive to watchful critters.” They explain that if consumed, “… this foreign body ingestion could actually be fatal as it twists and bunches inside your pet’s intestines. Immediate veterinary care is required.”
The same is true of ribbon. While it might be fun to see your cat or dog play with a piece of ribbon, don’t encourage this dangerous behavior and make sure ribbon is kept out of the reach of those playful mouths.
Fragile glass ornaments are best placed high on the tree out of the reach of pets. Broken decorations can cut paws or mouths and are a real danger if ingested. Electrical cords and holiday lights pose a risk of shock, if chewed by pets. And candles could be hazardous to everyone if knocked over by a playful paw.
Danger Outdoors
Winter is a dangerous time for any animal unattended outdoors. Cats have been known to seek the heat of warm car engines which can put them in peril. Dogs can ingest antifreeze or poisons meant for rodents. Keeping your pets indoors or on a leash is always smart but especially so in winter. A lost house pet would not have the coat or skills needed to survive on its own in sub-freezing conditions.
Deicers used on roads and sidewalks pose a different type of threat to our dogs. I’ve had two dogs who were very sensitive to salt and were subject to sore, irritated paws every winter. I wash my Westie Poppy’s paws any time she has come into contact with salt or a deicer even if she has worn her Pawz boots.
In addition to sore feet, salt and chemical deicers can also cause gastrointestinal upsets that could need veterinary care. In addition to cleaning your pet’s feet, ask your building, your neighbors, and the city to use sand and paw safe deicers in place of salt.
Holiday Plants and Food
Holiday entertaining can mean leaving food within reach of pets when we are distracted by party preparations or guests. Chocolate, some nuts, cookies, cakes, and high fat foods can all make your dog or cat sick.
Holiday plants, particularly pine needles, mistletoe, poinsettias, and holly, can cause vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty breathing, collapse, erratic behavior, hallucinations, depression, and even death when ingested. Lilies, often used in floral arrangements, are particularly dangerous for cats.
Save Time for Your Pets
Holidays put a lot of demands on our schedules but it’s important to pencil in some special time with our pets. In addition to unconditional appreciation for you and any time you choose to spend with them, our pets help lower our stress levels and blood pressure.
While it’s fun to buy gifts for our furry friends, they seem to love time spent with us best. Our Poppy always appears happiest when my husband is tossing one of her oldest toys across the room in an endless game of fetch. Or sitting with her cuddled up on one of us.
The holiday season and winter, in general, present some dangers and inconvenience for those of us with beloved cats or dogs in our lives. From deicers on sidewalks to ribbons on holiday gifts, we have to be alert and proactive to protect our pals.
Curious Kitties
Playful and curious cats can find a lot of ways to get into trouble around holiday greenery, decorations, and packages. Tinsel is not just pretty, it is attractive and could be deadly to cats.
The folks at Pet Insurers warn, “The shiny, dangling decoration reflects light and can move in the slightest draft — appearing to come alive to watchful critters.” They explain that if consumed, “… this foreign body ingestion could actually be fatal as it twists and bunches inside your pet’s intestines. Immediate veterinary care is required.”
The same is true of ribbon. While it might be fun to see your cat or dog play with a piece of ribbon, don’t encourage this dangerous behavior and make sure ribbon is kept out of the reach of those playful mouths.
Fragile glass ornaments are best placed high on the tree out of the reach of pets. Broken decorations can cut paws or mouths and are a real danger if ingested. Electrical cords and holiday lights pose a risk of shock, if chewed by pets. And candles could be hazardous to everyone if knocked over by a playful paw.
Danger Outdoors
Winter is a dangerous time for any animal unattended outdoors. Cats have been known to seek the heat of warm car engines which can put them in peril. Dogs can ingest antifreeze or poisons meant for rodents. Keeping your pets indoors or on a leash is always smart but especially so in winter. A lost house pet would not have the coat or skills needed to survive on its own in sub-freezing conditions.
Deicers used on roads and sidewalks pose a different type of threat to our dogs. I’ve had two dogs who were very sensitive to salt and were subject to sore, irritated paws every winter. I wash my Westie Poppy’s paws any time she has come into contact with salt or a deicer even if she has worn her Pawz boots.
In addition to sore feet, salt and chemical deicers can also cause gastrointestinal upsets that could need veterinary care. In addition to cleaning your pet’s feet, ask your building, your neighbors, and the city to use sand and paw safe deicers in place of salt.
Holiday Plants and Food
Holiday entertaining can mean leaving food within reach of pets when we are distracted by party preparations or guests. Chocolate, some nuts, cookies, cakes, and high fat foods can all make your dog or cat sick.
Holiday plants, particularly pine needles, mistletoe, poinsettias, and holly, can cause vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty breathing, collapse, erratic behavior, hallucinations, depression, and even death when ingested. Lilies, often used in floral arrangements, are particularly dangerous for cats.
Save Time for Your Pets
Holidays put a lot of demands on our schedules but it’s important to pencil in some special time with our pets. In addition to unconditional appreciation for you and any time you choose to spend with them, our pets help lower our stress levels and blood pressure.
While it’s fun to buy gifts for our furry friends, they seem to love time spent with us best. Our Poppy always appears happiest when my husband is tossing one of her oldest toys across the room in an endless game of fetch. Or sitting with her cuddled up on one of us.
"But I love Halloween, and I love that feeling: the cold air, the spooky dangers lurking around the corner." Evan Peters
About Today in Boston: We keep hearing that people miss our cover photos that ran for years in the Back Bay Sun. That assignment was to provide a photo that showed what the week was like in the neighborhood. Often the photos illustrated favorite quotations. Today in Boston is an occasional offering to our BostonZest readers featuring photos along the same theme but taken wherever we happen to be.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Whether you only think of altering your appearance on Halloween or also like to dress up for holidays, special events, parties, or other reasons, this post is for you. We've even included a couple of places that carry party goods and elegant seasonal home decor.
This post was updated for Halloween 2017.
Just before Halloween and the traditional holiday seasons seems like the best time for us to make a list and check it twice to help you locate places to buy or rent costumes for most any occasion. Costume season gears up at Halloween and continues for Santa time, New Years, Saint Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, and beyond!
Please let us know if we've missed one of your favorite sources of costumes and accessories. And tell us about your all-time favorite Halloween Costume in the comments below.
The Garment District in Cambridge has a floor devoted to Boston Costume. This is probably the best-known spot to outfit yourself for any costume party.
It's open seven days a week. And "Open 'til Midnight ALL October!"
They sell and rent costumes and have lots of vintage & secondhand clothing, if you want to create your own.
They also sell items to finish the look, like:
washout hair color in tones of atomic turquoise and cotton candy pink
prosthetics like scars, bullet holes, horns, pointed ear tips, and witch noses with the materials to attach them
masks from simple gold or black eye masks, to elaborate Venetian designs or feathery carnival styles
heads to transform you into a bear, lion, or gorilla
an endless selection of wigs includes: mullets, afros, clown colors, pigtails, geishas, ragdolls, cornrows, dreadlocks, flappers, and glam styles
accessories include: hats, boas, go-go boots, and wings
Their "Boston Costume" division rents full rigs for the likes of Batman, Green Hornet, and Marie Antoinette. Or you can be a minute man, cowgirl, knight, or belly dancer.
Soon you'll find people lined up (above) waiting to enter Dorothy's Boutique on Mass Ave. near Symphony Hall. They call themselves "Boston's Halloween Headquarters" and display masks, scary arm stumps, strange shoes, and accessories in the window. The website makes it clear that these are costumes for adults. Risque is their specialty.
For luxe Halloween decor and fun accessories, visit Blackstone's of Beacon Hill. They have a fabulous selection of fun and tasteful decorations, masks, and accessories for the holiday.
Here are a couple of places recommended by our social media friends and readers. We have not checked these out personally but confirmed they are open this year.
In case you have visited New Millennium Costumes on Tremont Street in the past, they have closed.
Reflections on Newbury Street had some great holiday items in past years but is now closed. The good news is that if you loved their style, you can get similar items at Blackstone's of Beacon Hill.
If you're more of an Internet shopper, you can find costumes for the entire family from this one page: Visit the Costume Store At Amazon.
Whether you only think of altering your appearance on Halloween or also like to dress up for holidays, special events, parties, or other reasons, this post is for you. We've even included a couple of places that carry party goods and elegant seasonal home decor.
This post was updated for Halloween 2017.
Just before Halloween and the traditional holiday seasons seems like the best time for us to make a list and check it twice to help you locate places to buy or rent costumes for most any occasion. Costume season gears up at Halloween and continues for Santa time, New Years, Saint Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, and beyond!
Please let us know if we've missed one of your favorite sources of costumes and accessories. And tell us about your all-time favorite Halloween Costume in the comments below.
The Garment District in Cambridge has a floor devoted to Boston Costume. This is probably the best-known spot to outfit yourself for any costume party.
It's open seven days a week. And "Open 'til Midnight ALL October!"
They sell and rent costumes and have lots of vintage & secondhand clothing, if you want to create your own.
They also sell items to finish the look, like:
washout hair color in tones of atomic turquoise and cotton candy pink
prosthetics like scars, bullet holes, horns, pointed ear tips, and witch noses with the materials to attach them
masks from simple gold or black eye masks, to elaborate Venetian designs or feathery carnival styles
heads to transform you into a bear, lion, or gorilla
an endless selection of wigs includes: mullets, afros, clown colors, pigtails, geishas, ragdolls, cornrows, dreadlocks, flappers, and glam styles
accessories include: hats, boas, go-go boots, and wings
Their "Boston Costume" division rents full rigs for the likes of Batman, Green Hornet, and Marie Antoinette. Or you can be a minute man, cowgirl, knight, or belly dancer.
Soon you'll find people lined up (above) waiting to enter Dorothy's Boutique on Mass Ave. near Symphony Hall. They call themselves "Boston's Halloween Headquarters" and display masks, scary arm stumps, strange shoes, and accessories in the window. The website makes it clear that these are costumes for adults. Risque is their specialty.
For luxe Halloween decor and fun accessories, visit Blackstone's of Beacon Hill. They have a fabulous selection of fun and tasteful decorations, masks, and accessories for the holiday.
Here are a couple of places recommended by our social media friends and readers. We have not checked these out personally but confirmed they are open this year.
In case you have visited New Millennium Costumes on Tremont Street in the past, they have closed.
Reflections on Newbury Street had some great holiday items in past years but is now closed. The good news is that if you loved their style, you can get similar items at Blackstone's of Beacon Hill.
If you're more of an Internet shopper, you can find costumes for the entire family from this one page: Visit the Costume Store At Amazon.
Once upon a time, Provincetown closed up shop after Labor Day. These days, Halloween is a big weekend in that town at the tip of Massachusetts. Decorating had already started when we were out there.
At the famous "Purple House," as one friend calls the Somerset House Inn, the front stairs were lined with cats and pumpkin lanterns.
And the front yard had turned into a spooky graveyard …
… complete with "once-were-rats-creatures" ready to nibble at whatever they could find.
The locals were hoping for great weather and a busy weekend and, right now, it looks good for them to get their wish and wind up the season with a bit of extra cash from all those who see this as a natural place to dress up and celebrate!
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Yes, January is a cold and wintry month in Boston but there is still a lot going on and many activities, both outdoor and indoor, to recommend.
New Year's Day
Weather permitting, Ed, Poppy, and I usually take a long walk on the first day of the year. We'll visit the Common and the Public Garden, and Copley Square. As a photographer, the Frog Pond skaters are always fun to watch and provide so many stories to capture in each photograph. If you have a new camera to play with, this is a great spot to add to your route for the day.
Here are some past posts from fun times photographing the Frog Pond skaters:
Something you eat for good luck or an activity you enjoy with famiy or friends? Share with us and perhaps you'll inspire others to adopt your tradition. We'll enjoy a glass of sparkling wine either at home or in a restaurant.
Since 2007, we've resolved to start each month of the year with a toast over a glass of something bubbly. You're welcome to join our sparkling resolution and check out our monthly list of wines to try.
Dressed in Holiday Style
Homes around the city will have beautiful wreaths on the doors and lovely decorations for the holidays early in the month. Above and below are two of the many lush and creative wreaths designed and sold by volunteers from The Garden Club of the Back Bay to raise funds needed to care for trees along the streets and in the parks. Here is a link to more of their work that you might be able to spot around the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and in other parts of the city.
Conventions Bring Visitors
Big meetings impact hotel prices and restaurant reservations around the city. The ones in the Back Bay have more impact on locals and visitors to the city than the seaport. Here's the January list of meetings with more than 5,000 in attendance.
1/2/15/-1/5/15 – 12,000 social scientists will be meeting at the Hynes Convention Center in Back Bay.
And just in case anyone local or visiting has an interest in these two events, we've included them:
1/15/15-1/19/15 – New England Auto Show in the Seaport
1/17/15-1/19/15 – Boston RV and Camping Expo in the Seaport
More tips from locals and frequent visitors to Boston can be found over on the Boston Trip Advisor Forum. Penny started a conversation over there with some of this same information and others have chimed in to add their tips and favorites.
Share your own traditions and January information in the comments below or send them our way on our Twitter feed. Just include @BostonZest in your message.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Whether you only think of altering your appearance on Halloween or also like to dress up for holidays, special events, parties, or other reasons, this post is for you. We've even included a couple of places that carry party goods and elegant seasonal home decoration.
Just before Halloween, and the traditional holiday seasons, seems like the best time for us to make a list and check it twice to help you locate places to buy or rent costumes for most any occasion. Costume season gears up at Halloween and continues for Santa time, New Years, Saint Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, and beyond!
The newest addition to our list is Reflections on Newbury Street. Around the holidays, this shop adds a big dose of seasonal spirit to its stock of year round favorites. While you won't find full costumes, you will find fun and seriously well made seasonal accessories to add the right note to your outfit or home.
Please let us know if we've missed one of your favorite sources of costumes and accessories. And, tell us about your all-time favorite Halloween Costume in the comments below.
Owner Terry Anderson has more than 20 years experience managing a company that supplied Boston fun seekers with costumes. Realizing he missed the downtown vibe, he decided to opened his own shop.
Google has been in to create an interior view of the shop and told him that it should be up soon. We'll post an update when it appears. Update:Here's a link to the Google inside view.
The Garment District in Cambridge has a floor devoted to Boston Costume, probably the best known spot to outfit yourself for any costume party.
It's open seven days a week. And, "Open 'til Midnight ALL October!"
They sell and rent costumes and have lots of vintage & secondhand clothing, if you want to create your own.
They also sell items to finish the look, like:
washout hair color in tones of atomic turquoise and cotton candy pink
prosthetics like scars, bullet holes, horns, pointed ear tips, and witch noses with the materials to attach them
masks from simple gold or black eye masks, to elaborate Venetian designs or feathery carnival styles
heads to transform you into a bear, lion, or gorilla
an endless selection of wigs includes: mullets, afros, clown colors, pigtails, geishas, ragdolls, cornrows, dreadlocks, flappers, and glam styles
accessories include: hats, boas, go-go boots, and wings
Their "Boston Costume" division rents full rigs for the likes of Batman, Green Hornet, and Marie Antoinette. Or, you can be a minute man, cowgirl, knight, or belly dancer.
Soon, you'll find people lined up (above) waiting to enter Dorothy's Boutique on Mass Ave. near Symphony Hall. They call themselves "Boston's Halloween Headquarters" and display masks, scary arm stumps, strange shoes, and accessories in the window. The website makes it clear that these are costumes for adults. Risque is their specialty.
For luxe halloween fashions, visit the Halloween Shop at Blackstone's of Beacon Hill. This is a sister store to Reflections on Newbury Street. They have a fabulous selection of fun and tasteful decorations, masks, and accessories for the holiday.
Allston Costume on Harvard Ave. is one that we have not visited, but that others have recommended. We'll try to stop in, get some photos for you, and update this listing.
Whether you only think of altering your appearance on Halloween or also like to dress up for holidays, special events, parties, or other reasons, this post is for you.
Each year, we make a list and check it twice to help you locate places to buy or rent costumes for most any occasion. Costume season gears up at Halloween and continues for New Years, Saint Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, and beyond!
This year, our list-check discovered New Millennium Costumes at 155 Tremont Street (map) across from the Boston Common. Penny made a visit to check it out, and we're happy to add it to our collection.
Owner Terry Anderson has more than 20 years experience managing a company that supplied Boston fun seekers with costumes. Realizing he missed the downtown vibe, he decided to opened his own shop.
When Penny visited the building, it had scaffolding hiding his signs and entrance so you may have to work a little to find it.
Google has been in to create an interior view of the shop and told him that it should be up soon. We'll post an update when it appears. Update:Here's a link to the Google inside view.
It's worth considering this as an option. Since it's newer and not everyone has discovered it yet, the lines may be shorter. And, check with them for details on a 10% discount to those showing a college ID.
By the way, this shop has a small section of costumes for dogs with some very clever saddle-style options for big dogs. (Seen in the lower right photo of the collage.) These sell out quickly, so shop soon for a good selection.
Check out these Costume Haunts:
Please let us know if we've missed one of your favorite sources of costumes and accessories. And, tell us about your all-time favorite Halloween Costume in the comments below.
The Garment District in Cambridge is probably the best known spot to outfit yourself for any costume party.
They sell and rent costumes and have lots of vintage & secondhand clothing if you want to create your own.
They also sell items to finish the look, like:
washout hair color in tones of atomic turquoise and cotton candy pink
prosthetics like scars, bullet holes, horns, pointed ear tips, and witch noses with the materials to attach them
masks from simple gold or black eye masks, to elaborate Venetian designs or feathery carnival styles
heads to transform you into a bear, lion, or gorilla
an endless selection of wigs includes: mullets, afros, clown colors, pigtails, geishas, ragdolls, cornrows, dreadlocks, flappers, and glam styles
accessories include: hats, boas, go-go boots, and wings
Their "Boston Costume"division rents full rigs for the likes of Batman, Green Hornet, and Marie Antoinette. Or, you can be a minute man, cowgirl, knight, or belly dancer.
Soon, you'll find people lined up (above) waiting to enter Dorothy's Boutique on Mass Ave. near Symphony Hall. They call themselves "Boston's Halloween Headquarters" and display masks, scary arm stumps, strange shoes, and accessories in the window. The website makes it clear that these are costumes for adults. Risque is their specialty.
Army Barracks Across the street from Dorothy's is the Army Barracks store. With a little imagination, you can use their surplus gear to create a costume for that upcoming party.
Party City has a store at 356 Boylston Street in Boston. (map) Last season, it was an iParty store.
And, remember to visit the Halloween Shop at Blackstone's of Beacon Hill. They have a fabulous selection of fun and tasteful decorations, masks, and accessories for the holiday.
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