This Weekend’s Events + A Dose of Holiday Zen 📚

From live music to holiday markets, plus a shortbread recipe that steals the show.

Author

Kate Gullett
December 13, 2024

Today’s Forecast

62 🌡️ 37 | ☀️ | 💨 SW 5 mph

Good morning, SCV. The lights are twinkling, the air is crisp, and the weekends are filling up faster than your inbox on a Monday morning. Whether you're diving headfirst into holiday fun or just here for good times & good vibes, SCV is delivering all the festive magic you need this weekend—holiday light tours, live music, and enough holiday markets to make your gift list disappear

Before we dive in, a quick note from me: Starting next week, The SCV Insider will be arriving in your inbox twice a week—on Tuesdays and Fridays. I promise, you’ll still get all the info you need to plan your week and weekend, and I’ll still be here, keeping it fun, snappy, and full of local goodness. This little shift just means more time to dig up the best news & happenings for you (and maybe fewer late nights for me 😅 ☕️ ).

Let’s get into it.

— Kate

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Greed, Guts, and the Art of Losing It All 💥

If your holiday season has you juggling work, family, and the occasional existential crisis, A Man in Full might just be the escape you need. Jeff Daniels stars as Charlie Croker, an Atlanta real estate mogul whose empire is teetering on the edge of disaster. Think business deals gone wrong, political backstabbing, and personal drama that makes your tangled Christmas lights look manageable.

Based on Tom Wolfe's iconic novel, this six-episode Netflix miniseries is sharp, fast-paced, and full of deliciously messy twists. Perfect for when you need a break from holiday cheer and want a little drama (that isn’t happening at your family dinner).

Gift-Worthy Biscuits That Steal the Show 🍪🎁

Let’s be honest: the holidays are all about those little moments of joy—like biting into something buttery and perfect. If you’ve watched Ted Lasso, you know the power of those iconic shortbread biscuits in the pink box. They’re simple, yet somehow life-changing.

Now’s your chance to bring that same cozy joy to your holiday table or gift list. These biscuits are crisp, buttery, and ridiculously easy to devour. Whip up a batch, pop them in a cute pink box (yes, you can get them on Amazon), and you’ve got a thoughtful homemade gift that says, “I appreciate you more than Ted Lasso hates English tea.”

The Stress Prescription: Seven Days to More Joy and Ease by Elissa Epel, PhD

The holidays are supposed to be joyful, but let’s be honest - sometimes they can be incredibly stressful. Even though I love this time of year, I find myself overwhelmed by to-do lists, social obligations, and pressure for the “perfect” holiday. Thankfully, Dr. Elissa Epel’s 7 Day Stress Prescription offers us a lifeline.

Her guide, rooted in years of research on how stress impacts us on a cellular level, provides practical tips to help us lower our stress baseline and harness the benefits (yes benefits!) stress can offer. Each chapter presents a manageable daily challenge complete with space for reflection.

Give this quick and engaging read a go to help find your zen. Happy (relaxing!) reading!

Nina’s Resources for Readers

West Ranch Studio A Jazz Band Performing Holiday Show at Valencia Town Center

The West Ranch High School Studio A Jazz Band will be giving local shoppers the gift of music this Sunday as they perform some all-time favorite holiday songs.

Celebrating 20 Years, Painted Turtle Seeking Donations

The Painted Turtle Camp 20th Anniversary Celebration continues through December, and there's still time to get involved. Your donation helps ensure that the camp remains 100 percent free for children with serious medical conditions and their families.

Gold’s Gym SoCal Launches Annual Holiday Donation Drive

This holiday season, Gold’s Gym SoCal continues its annual tradition of spreading joy and support to those in need.

Click below to unlock your daily feel-good fix.

New day, new word. Can you guess the 5-letter mystery word from today’s stories? Let’s see what you’ve got!

Thanks for reading The SCV Insider today—may your weekend be filled with festive lights, stress-free vibes, and biscuits worthy of a pink box.

Until next week,

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