How to Winterize your Home

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Parent Category: The Hood

Category: Managing Urban Life

We asked our members about how to winterize NYC homes and here are their helpful replies...

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2019 Holiday Tips Survey: The Results are IN!

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Parent Category: Newsflashes

Category: Newsflash

Here are the key findings from the annual Park Slope Parents Holiday Tips Survey in which Brooklyn residents report their upcoming end-of-year gifts to service providers, nannies, and teachers.

• Gifts for K-12 teachers have risen. The amount people are giving to K-12 teachers is up from last year. The most frequently given amount to these teachers is $50 this year, up from $25 last year.
• Tips to neighborhood service providers are down from prior years. Reported tips for supers, door security, occasional babysitters, and more are down from last year.
• NYC urban living has its costs. Having a full-time nanny, dog walker, parking attendant and living in a doorman building with a super will cost you around $1800 in tips if you gift this year's average. 
• Folks are showing gratitude with more than just money. One in three (32%) are giving something more than cash (homemade cookies, treats, wine) to their service providers.
• Almost all employers with nannies plan on giving a monetary bonus this year (97%). Three in four (77%) give a week’s pay as a bonus.
  • Caveat: If your nanny hasn’t been working a year then you can give less, (e.g., ½ week’s pay if they’ve worked only 3 months) but do let the nanny know if you plan on giving more next year.
  • ALSO: Don’t assume a week off without pay is something that your nanny will appreciate. Unless otherwise discussed when you hired your nanny, giving the nanny the week between Christmas and New Year without pay is frowned upon. Most would rather work for pay than miss out on money to support their family.
• Daycare and preschool teachers feel the gratitude.Typical monetary gifts for both head and secondary teachers is $50. Unlike K-12, parents typically give separately with only two out of three (68%) giving an individual gift only.
• Power in (organized) numbers. Eight in ten (80%) parents with kids in K-12 students contribute to a class gift.
• Thank everyone. A kind gesture to the folks that support your life (e.g., crossing guards, lunch staff, accountants, after school staff, tutors, and therapists) is always appreciated!

DETAILED FINDINGS:

Personal Neighborhood Service Providers:

Daycare, Preschool, and K-12 Teachers

• Almost everyone (88%) contributes to a combined class gift to K-12 teachers. Some parents use websites and apps like Frumus, Venmo, Payit2 and Signup Genius to organize and pool donations.

Is it against the DOE policy to give teachers’ gifts? It is NOT the case that Department of Education K-12 teachers cannot receive gifts. Department of Education policy states: “Teachers may accept class gifts as long as parents are not asked to contribute more than a small amount of money towards the gift and all parents are given an opportunity to sign the card, whether or not they contribute to the gift.” However, be reasonable—extravagant gifts could get your teacher in hot water!

*Learn more about holiday gifts for teachers, including do’s and don’ts, in the Park Slope Parents’ article: How to Thank Teachers at the Holidays & End of the Year.

Nannies

• ALL of the respondents (100%) are using the holidays as an opportunity to give a yearly bonus or gifts.
• 83% of employers give amounts incremental to a week’s pay. Of these, 77% give a week’s pay, 22% give two week’s pay, and 2% give three week’s pay.
• The average end-of-year bonus a nanny will receive is $688.
• Almost half (46%) of Brooklyn families with a nanny also give a non-monetary purchased gift as well as a bonus.  More than 20% also give a homemade gift. 

Has your nanny worked for less than a year? If a nanny has worked for less than a year but more than three months, most employers give at least a half-week of pay. Make sure to inform your nanny that you intend to give a full-week’s pay next year, if things work out. Also, if you give bonuses on anniversaries rather than the end-of-year, remind them of that timeline.   

Since newer nannies (those who have worked less than three months) may feel left out without a bonus, we suggest giving a bonus worth about 2-3 days pay. Again, make sure to give an explanation of your reasoning, and tell them what they can expect next year. Clarity about when your nanny can expect raises and bonuses is key.

As always, a heartfelt note with sincere gratitude (maybe a list of specific things you appreciate) always warms the heart and makes folks special and thanked. (Feel free to do that to EVERYONE in your life!)

METHODOLOGY:
Park Slope Parents collected 482 responses from December 1 - December 9th, 2109 via an online survey program (surveymonkey.com). The survey was distributed online through the Park Slope Parents website, their email groups and social media outlets, online blogs, and other online parenting/ neighborhood groups (Yahoo! Groups, FaceBook, Groups.io and more). The results are based on tips and gifts in Brooklyn only.

ABOUT PARK SLOPE PARENTS

• Park Slope Parents (PSP) is a community in Brooklyn, NY of more than 7,000 local families who offer each other support and community throughout the parenting experience.
• PSP online resources include a public website with member reviews and parenting advice, online forums including an Advice List (exchanging information about parenting and community issues), a Classifieds list (a local buy/sell/trade group for swapping kid gear and finding nannies), and a Career Networking Group which connects parents to jobs and professional resources. It also has over 100 subgroups including pregnancy and new parent, dads, working moms, bilingual, LGBTQ, industry-related career, cooking, gardening, allergy, vegetarian and more.
• PSP offers offline, in-person events including parenting workshops, clothing swaps, community fundraisers, and networking events.
• PSP also partners with nonprofits such as the Brooklyn Family Justice Center, Little Essentials, Sheltering Arms, and Lantern Community Services to provide donations to those in need.
• PSP also sponsors community events such as the Celebrate Brooklyn Concerts, Prospect Park Alliance events, and more
• Park Slope Parents is open to all parents in Brooklyn and requires an annual membership fee of $50 ($45 for renewals) to support ongoing services (like this Holiday Tips Survey). Membership includes discounts to more than 500 local products and services.
• Parents in Brooklyn can apply for membership here: https://parkslopeparents.clubexpress.com/

2019 Holiday Guide to Tree Lightings, Caroling, Santa Photos and More!

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Parent Category: Newsflashes

Category: Newsflash

Here are all the great holiday happenings in Brooklyn and beyond this season. Also check out our article about Where to See Christmas Lights (including Dyker Heights). Holiday window displays run until the new year!

New Year’s Eve Events

New Years Eve at Grand Army Plaza

Tuesday, December 31st, 2019

10:30 pm

Join Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Prospect Park Alliance  for Brooklyn's most spectacular New Year’s Eve Fireworks Celebration at Prospect Park's iconic Grand Army Plaza. This free event includes live entertainment by Brooklyn’s own Quintessential Playlist, followed by fireworks at the stroke of midnight. This family-friendly fireworks display, now in its 39th year, attracts tens of thousands of revelers to Prospect Park, making it one of the city's most popular celebrations.

Brooklyn Bridge New Year's Eve

Tuesday, December 31st, 2019

Take a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge and see the fireworks from the bridge!

New Year's Eve with the New York Philharmonic

Tuesday, December 31st, 2019

7:30pm

Living legend and multi-award winner Stephen Sondheim’s oeuvre takes center stage at the New York Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve concert, featuring Tony Award winner Katrina Lenk (The Band’s Visit) — soon to star in Company — and music from Company, Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, Sweeney Todd, and more. Ring in 2020 with the Philharmonic and the music of this American master!

Coney Island New Years Eve Fireworks Celebrations

Tuesday, December 31st, 2019

Midnight.

Fireworks at midnight.

Other FAMILY New Year's Ideas

• Have a party! Party hats and poppers are a must.  Make glittery slime! Have celebration mocktails (don't forget the umbrella). Have goodie bags for every hour up until the new year with something fun!
  Get glow sticks to add to the fun. Oh! Make the party have "faux" ball drop time (e.g. 8pm, "Happy New Year"). Set alarm clocks, phones, and watches to all go off at an earlier time. That  way kids feel like they get an experience of New Year's without having to deal with "too little sleep" fallout.

• Create a playlist of the year's favorite songs and play it on the drive home from vacation, at your New Year's Eve party, or any time.

• Review the year.  Look at photos from the last year, talk about the highlights and plan more fun for the next year.  If you have a gratitude jar, read the last year's entries

• Start a Gratitude Jar. Write down the things you were grateful for over the past year.

New Year’s Day 

Going to start new year's resolutions? Start small rather than big sweeping changes. It also takes an average of 21 days to have a new behavior become a habit so be patient and give yourself a LOT of encouragement.

 Plan your Photos With Santa

The Old Stone House Photos with Santa Fundraiser (co-hosted by Park Slope Parents)

December 14th from 10am - 12pm

The Old Stone House (5th Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets). 

Santa Claus is coming to town on December 14! From 10 am – Noon Santa will be making a pit stop in Park Slope; join us for a seasonal photo session with professional photographer Marc Goldberg.
We’re co-hosting the day with the Old Stone House and the Park Slope Fifth Ave BID. There will be crafts and hot cocoa to keep everyone cozy while Marc takes photos on a first-come-first-served basis.
For $10, each family will receive a water-marked portrait from Marc, he will also have all of the photos available for purchase on his website and visitors are welcome to snap their own keepsake selfies.
If you would like to support family programming like this all year round, become a member of the Old Stone House & Washington Park for $35 and get your photo session for free!

Photos with Santa at Items of Interest

Park Slope

Saturdays and Sundays  November 23rd – December 22nd

Macy’s Santaland at Herald Square

November 29th – December 24th

Reservations only now, and you get there and still wait, but the Santaland keeps folks occupied. It's still a great tradition.

Free Santa pic @ Bed Bath Beyond Industry city

Dec7/8th 

Times available on EventBrite

From PSP member: “I just signed up on eventbrite, the Industry City Bed Bath Beyond is having  a free photo with Santa at their Winter Wonderland. You can sign up for a time slot on eventbrite for Dec 7th/Dec 8th.  :)”

Santa Photos at Kings Plaza

Daily from Now – December 24th

Reserve your spot online. 

EVENTS THAT HAVE PASSED

Christmas Eve

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestraat All Saints' Episcopal Church

Tuesday December 24th, 2019

9 pm: Free Holiday Concert

10 pm: Christmas Eve Eucharist featuring ALJO

Grammy-award winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra will return to the home parish of its director, Arturo O'Farrill, on Christmas Eve. The ALJO's unique blend of big band jazz, Latin musical culture, and virtuosic performance shines in the setting of this historic Park Slope church building. Arturo and the ALJO offer this free holiday concert as a gift to the community and perform as part of the Christmas Eve service. All are welcome.

For more info see http://www.allsaintsparkslope.org/

All Saints Church Christmas Eve Services

• 4pm Family Eucharist
• 9pm Arturo O'Farrill Christmas Concert
• 10pm Festival Eucharist

All Christmas Eve services include candlelight & Holy Communion

Church of the Holy Apostles

Tuesday December 24th, 2019

4pm

Holy Eucharist

Christmas Concert, Pageant, and candlelighting.

Park Slope United Methodist Church 

Tuesday December 24th, 2019

4pm

Christmas Eve Service 

Christmas Day 

All Saints Church Christmas Service

10:00 a.m. Feast of the Nativity w/ Carols - Nave

Weekend of November 29th, 30th, and December 1st

The Fifth Avenue Tree Lighting 

November 30th, 2019

5th Ave and 4th St

4pm -6pm, tree lighting at 6 pm

Music by Dr. Alex – a Park Slope kid and parent musician

Carolers from Park Slope Conservatory. Santa will go out in a vintage car before arriving at the tree lighting. Stilt walkers and steel drummers from Tropical Fete. Bubbledad. Arts and crafts with Puppetry Arts. Treats from Down to Earth Markets & Insomnia Cookies. TD Bank table with giveaways and hot chocolate.

CLICK OUR READ MORE TO PLAN AHEAD FOR THE COMING WEEKS!

Events December 2nd through December 8th

Dyker Park Tree Lighting

December 4

6:30 pm

Dyker Park @86th St and 14th Ave

2nd Annual Tree of Angels Tree Lighting Ceremony

December 5 

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

In front of Borough Hall in the Plaza

Tree Lighting @ Shore Road Park Gazebo

December 5 

6:30 pm

Shore Road Park Gazebo @ 90th St and Shore Road

Christmas Tree Lighting @ Grand Army Plaza

December 5th

5 pm

This year, the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Christmas Tree will be lit on Thursday, December 5 at 5 pm at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch at Grand Army Plaza. The tree will remain lit 24/7 in red lights—the only such tree in NYC—until January 2019. This annual tradition of displaying the Christmas Tree and Nativity Creche brings the spirit and joy of the Christmas season to Prospect Park and the Brooklyn community.

DUMBO Holiday Tree Lighting

Thursday, December 5th

4pm – 7pm (tree lighting at 6pm sharp)

Pearl Street Triangle 

https://dumbo.is/lighting-the-tree

Tree Lighting at Investor's Bank-- Dyker Heights Branch

December 6

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

7414 Dyker 13th Avenue  

Osborn Plaza Tree Lighting

December 6

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Osborn Street and Belmont Ave

Santa, Hot Cocoa, Caroling, and more!  

Thomas Greene Park Holiday Tree Lighting
Friday, December 6th
Park is located in Gowanus at 3rd Avenue and Douglass Street.

 Santa in North Slope 

Saturday December 7th, 2019

2-4 pm 

Santa will be walking the Avenue from Dean to The Old Stone House from 2-4pm. Come find him get a candy cane and a photo!

Organized by the 5th Avenue BID. 

SinterKlass- St. Nicolas Day

Saturday, December 7th

1pm – 4pm

Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum (5816 Clarendon Road)

Santa Claus will ride in on horseback at 2:30pm and photos with Santa. (for a fee)

Santa comes to the other 5th in Park Slope

Saturday, December 7th 

2pm – 4pm

5th Ave, from Dean to The Old Stone House.

Santa will be walking the Avenue from Dean to The Old Stone House from 2-4pm. Come find him get a candy cane and a photo!

Jingle Fest! Holiday Concert & Cookie Swap

Saturday, December 7th

3pm-- 5pm

3pm Concert

All Saints' Episcopal Church (286-88 7th Ave at 7th Street, Park Slope)

Join the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music for a joyful holiday family concert followed by our fourth annual cookie swap. Bring a batch of your favorite cookies to exchange and get one FREE ticket per family.

Ticket includes cookies, cider, hot chocolate and a photo op with Santa!

Carroll Park Holiday Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 7th, 2019

6 – 7pm

4:30 PM -  5:30 PM

Friends of Carroll Park will sing songs and light the Christmas trees.

Louis Valentino, Jr. Ballfield

Christmas Tree Lighting at Greenwood Park 

Saturday, December 7th

4 pm, Tree Lighting at 6:30 pm 

Greenwood Park, 555 7th Avenue

5th Annual Fort Greene Park Holiday Tree Lighting  (Changed from 12/2)

Sunday, December 8 @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Fort Greene Park – Myrtle & St Edwards Entrance, 282 Myrtle Avenue

Gather with neighbors for the annual event that is full of holiday cheer, including:

☕  FREE hot cocoa, cider & cookies from local Myrtle Ave restaurants

Events December 13th through December 15th

CAMBA Tree Lighting @ the Armory Shelter

Thursday, December12 @ 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAMBA Women's Shelter, 1402 8th Avenue, South Slope
Sing songs, drink hot cocoa, eat cookies, watch the lighting of the armory decorations and enjoy the beauty of the armory.

Santa at the Atlantic Terminal Mall|
Thursday, December 12th, 5pm - 7pm
139 Flatbush Avenue
 Life-size snow globe photo op, live music, selfies with Santa, Winter Wonderland community art & much more!

Weekend of December 13th, 14th, and 15th

Brooklyn Borough Hall Tree Lighting 

Wednesday, December 11th

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Holiday refreshments and musical entertainment at the annual tree lighting.

Borough Hall Plaza

Sing-A-Long Movie Spectacular @ PS 282

Wednesday, December 11th

5:30 pm - 8 pm

Proceeds go toward enrichment programs

180 6th Avenue

Photos with Santa Claus at the Old Stone House

Saturday, December 14th

10am – 12pm

The Old Stone House, 5th Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets

Join Park Slope Parents, the Old Stone House and the Park Slope 5th Avenue BID for our 4th annual photo session with Santa, in partnership with Park Slope Parents and the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID. Photographer Marc Goldberg will make his professional photos available on his website for purchase, and you’re welcome to snap your own photo as well.

Santa in Center Slope 

Saturday December 14th, 2019 

2-4 pm

Catch Santa shopping from 9th Street to The Old Stone House. Come find him and get a candy cane and a photo!

Organized by the 5th Avenue BID. 

Merry On Myrtle Winter Festival 

Saturday, December 14th

12-3pm 

While holiday shopping, enjoy live ice sculpting, music, crafts for kids, and more seasonal fun in the Myrtle Avenue Plaza. All activities are FREE.

From Classon Ave to Washington Park 

Caroling with All Saints Church Park Slope

Saturday, December 14th

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!  Join us for an afternoon of caroling.

Meet and practice (and have a snack!) from 4:30-5 at All Saints Church undercroft (on 7th Ave near 7th St, at the sign for “Park Slope Center for Successful Aging.”) We’ll leave at 5 to carol in a few spots around the neighborhood, then return to the church around 5:45-6 to warm up with some hot chocolate.

Please let us know if you plan to attend by RSVPing to "> .

Jingle Bell Jamboree

Saturday, December 14th 

7 pm 

After a 4 year hiatus, the annual Park Slope family concert and sing-a-long is returning to Old First Church in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Klezmer Hanukkah Party

Saturday, December 14th

3:30-5:30pm

BKCM Concert Hall (58 7th Ave at Lincoln Pl.)

Co-hosted by Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and Congregation Beth Elohim. Get into the Hanukkah spirit with our Community Klezmer Band featuring renowned Klezmer artists, as well as Klezmer song and dance leaders. Warm up with latkes, Hanukkah crafts, and more!

Tickets here: https://bkcm.org/event/klezmerhanukkah19/

Winterfest 2019

Saturday, December 14th

11am - 4pm

Brooklyn Friends School, 375 Pearl Street

Crafts and workshops suitable for all ages!

Holiday Market at P.S. 118

Saturday, December 14th

11am - 5pm

Inside P.S. 118 at 211 8th St. and 4th Ave.

Holiday shopping season is here--and we've got the perfect gift for everyone on your list! Join us at the second annual PS118 Holiday Market on Saturday, December 14, from 11 am to 5 pm, at PS118 (on 8th Street between 4th and 5th Avenues). During this fabulous, festive event, each floor of our school is transformed: The cafeteria becomes a delightful café and all the other floors are filled with children's activities, crafts, jewelry, and more (all for sale!) So much shopping! Proceeds benefit PS118.

2nd Annual Brower Park Library Winter Festival

Saturday, December 14th

11am - 4pm

Brower Park Library, 725 St. Marks Avenue

The event includes a special story time, an art workshop, and a special visit (and photo opportunity) with Santa.  Hot cider and donuts will help us celebrate the holidays. Come kick off the winter season with us!

The Great Christmas Tree: A participation play for children.

11 am, Saturday, December 14th

12 pm, Sunday, December 15th

119 14th St, Brooklyn

$8 

Matt Heaton's Holiday Hootenanny

Sunday, December 15th

11am

Jalopy Theater, 315 Columbia

$10-15 

Matt Heaton’s Holiday Hootenanny is a dance-filled, laugh-laced concert for the whole family. With his band the Outside Toys, Heaton performs hits from his shiny new album “Snow Day!” (Because nothing says holidays like fiddle drenched honky-tonk numbers, retro hi fi guitar stylings, and a rock solid rhythm section.)

PSJC Chanukkah Party

Sunday, December 15th

3-5 pm

1320 8th Ave
Start the celebrating early with crafts, high stakes dreidel games, donut making, a sing-a-long with PSJC holiday favorite Abe, and much more! Wear your favorite Chanukkah sweater, pajamas, or other apparel and enter the raffle for tasty treats.

Sign up to join the fun at https://www.psjc.org/event/psjc-hanukkah-party.html or just show up on Sunday!

Events December 16th through December 22nd

Holiday Sing-a-long and Fundraiser!  

Tuesday December 17th 
10:00 am
Da Nonna Rosa, 140 7th Avenue
Suggested donatation: $20
Fundraiser to benefit CHiPS, a local soup kitchen, and Little Essentials! 

HOLIDAY CAROLING with Brooklyn Conservatory 

Fri., December 20 
6:30 pm
Start at 58 7th Avenue, set off around planned routes around Park Slope
A beloved Brooklyn Conservatory tradition--holiday caroling! Please join us as we spread cheer throughout the neighborhood. FREE. All ages, voices, faiths welcome, and no caroling experience is necessary.
RSVP and info here.

Santa in South Slope 

Saturday December 21st, 2019

2-4 pm 

Shopping with Santa in South Slope from to 18th St in a vintage car then walking from 18th to The Old Stone House 2-4pm come get a candy cane and take a photo.

Organized by the 5th Avenue BID. 

Christmas Caroling and Services at Holy Apostles

Saturday December 22st, 2019

4 pm 

Church of the Holy Apostles

612 Greenwood Ave

Lend you voice and join us on Sunday, December 22nd at 4pm for our annual neighborhood Christmas caroling. We will begin on the steps of the church and travel on foot together.

Looking for ways to give this season? Check out the Park Slope Parents supported Holiday Drives (with a few others we found!)

What are we missing? Email " style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with more ideas.