In terms of holiday traditions, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is as timeworn as yuletide caroling and gingerbread housing. An Italian pastime, the “festa dei sette pesci” was derived from the Catholic ritual of abstaining from meat on Fridays and holy days. The feast became an annual repast. Here are some festive fish options around town.

When it comes to fancy holiday rituals, it doesn’t get much better than afternoon tea. There’s just something festive about raising pinkies and sipping chamomile that sings with holiday cheer. Just in time to calm your nerves from shopping and travel, two spots are heating up afternoon high tea programs.

Whether you’d like to sit back and relax or not, the holidays are the time of year for entertaining. So put on your best party face and get to it. Of course, hosting a holiday party isn’t easy, with so many details to cover and components to tend to. Here to help is Jodi Fyfe, owner of Paramount Events and party-hosting maestro. Regard this as a go-to party manual for the season.