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It always gets warm in the house during the holiday party—with everyone crowded in together, how could it not? But has it ever gotten a little too warm? Specifically, on fire kind of warm? To help deal with any small tree fires that may occur this holiday season, we're busting out The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Holidays.

All this month, we're cracking open Quirk Throws You 5 Awesome Parties for how-tos to help your holiday party be The Greatest. This week, we'll show you how to make an adorable Plush Penguin. (This tutorial is also available in Craft-A-Day.) When you have a friend close by, the frigid days of winter feel a little bit warmer. Send your party guests home with a pocket-size penguin who will keep them company even in the worst of winter weather.

If you did NaNoWriMo this year (like me), you likely noticed a pattern among all of your friends who were also doing NaNoWriMo. There's a certain way things tend to go. If you didn't try NaNoWriMo this year but think you'd like to give it a spin next year, you should be warned. It's fun but exhausting, so here are the steps you have to look forward to in the pursuit of writing an entire novel in one month.

December 8th is Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day. (Yes, this is an actual day people celebrate). Essentially, you dress up as someone from the past or the future and go about your day pretending you don’t belong. You know, stare in awe at automatic doors or lament over the lack of hover cars.

Don’t feel bad if you, like the rest of the world, had no idea about this important holiday, because now’s your chance to celebrate—with reading! If you would like to be a part of this magical and Doctor Who-esque celebration, but have no real desire to run around your office or campus garnering a questionable reputation, I have some good news: you can let others do the time-traveling for you and enjoy it all from a safe distance! The literary Delorean awaits!

It’s another busy week for literary events in New York City. With the end of the year rapidly approaching, many organizations are having celebrations and handing out awards. This week offers you opportunities to donate to NYC schools, feast on treats baked by esteemed authors, reveal all that you’ve never said, and support the New York literary community.

Covers from Jane Austen to Cover

And we’re back with our weekly Northanger Abbey recap! In these chapters our heroine Catherine experiences some highs and some lows, before relocating to a new and exciting locale: Northanger Abbey itself!