The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is concluding its 49th season with "A Christmas Carol," staged with a few twists. The company's version was adapted for the stage by British playwright Neil Bartlett, who uses only exact words and passages from the Charles Dickens novel for his treatment.

It was with a sense of excitement and eagerness that I opened an e-mailed document with the recipe for WNYC Morning Edition Host Soterios Johnson's mom's melomakarona. The cookies are famous among the Morning Edition crew. 

Turns out the recipe can feed them, and most of our listening audience. 

Manhattan’s shopping arteries are clogged with last-minute gift buyers. And museum gift shops are going all out to get the attention of consumers in the days remaining before Christmas.

With highs in the 40s predicted for December 25th in the city, it's not exactly a storybook Christmas. Still, the tradition of buying a tree, schlepping it home through the streets and hoisting it up narrow apartment stairwells is alive and well. Watch this video of a tree-trimming party.

If you’re one of those people who say, “Bah, Humbug!” when you hear yet another version of “Silent Night” on the store muzak systems, give a listen to the eclectic holiday mixtape that Chelsea resident Bill Adler has been doing for close to 30 years.

Get tricks for a successful Hanukkah candle lighting here, including how to prepare dishes on time without completely suffocating guests with the smells of burning oil. Plus, try out recipes for Sufganiot (Israeli Jelly Doughnuts) and Sweet Potato and Traditional Latkes.

A batch of Chocolate Toffee Cookies have won New York Public Radio's inaugural cookie slam. The cookies' baker, Abby Lovinger, said the secret winning ingredient was salt.

Gingerbread men, Greek kourabiedes, Hanukkah jelly donuts, frosted sugar cookies and Italian torrone messinesi nougat candy are just some of the sweet foods eaten during the holiday season. What's your favorite holiday cookie, cake or candy? Let us know here and check out our slideshow of holiday cookies and sweets made in New York City kitchens.

Can't decide what to give a loved one this year? Never fear. WNYC and WQXR hosts are here to help. Warm woolen socks, locally distilled rye whiskey and a t-shirt inspired by the cult classic "The Warriors" are among their recommendations this year.

The independent kitchenware and gift store Fishs Eddy has taken a political stance on Occupy Wall Street, hydrofracking and birth control in its holiday windows.

Did you know that the White House selects a "theme" every Christmas for its holiday decor? 

I didn't either, until I got a hold of the press release announcing it.  This year it's "Shine, Give, Share." I'm guessing that the recipe for Pumpkin Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting included in a press release the White House sent out Wednesday (and found below) was part of the "sharing" initiative.

Wednesday night, the 30,000 lights on the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree were turned on. The lights will be on until January 7. After that the spruce from Pennsylvania will be turned into lumber for the charity Habitat for Humanity.

A collection of Hannukah lamps from four continents chosen by illustrator and author Maurice Sendak is on view now at the Jewish Museum. Check out images of the lamps here.

On Monday, the 35th Annual Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks will shoot over the Hudson River from six barges. The sky will light up between 20th and 55th Sts. in Manhattan. You can enjoy the show from any place that offers an unobstructed view of the sky over the river. Plus, check out other fireworks shows in the city this weekend.

For many New Yorkers with roots in Latin America or the Caribbean, the holiday season doesn’t end until 12 days after Christmas. On Thursday, El Museo del Barrio in East Harlem is marking Three Kings Day with a festive parade down Third Avenue.

WNYC's Isaac-Davy Aronson spoke to Greg Cotterill, station manager for WEOS Public Radio and a Seneca Falls resident, about the new one-room museum and Seneca Falls' connection to the director of "It's A Wonderful Life," Frank Capra.

For the last 20 years on Christmas Day, New York City historian Seth Kamil has been leading groups on a walking tour of the Jewish Lower East Side. On one recent holiday, almost 700 people showed up to take the tour.

For many New Yorkers, the holiday season is a hustle. But if you have time between shopping, eating and traveling, check out some of the Big Apple's most festive wintertime treats.

Still stumped on what to give this year? Here are some literary, musical and theatrical recommendations.

Hanukkah began Wednesday at sundown and for lots of kids that means just one thing: dreidels and gelt. While to some dreidels are toys, for many they are works of art and objects invested with spiritual meaning. Check out WNYC's slideshow of high-art dreidels.