The first snow of the year was more whipping sleet than downy flake, but who cares when you're tucked inside with a hot cup of coffee and a slice of cake? I spent the first morning of December at the Hungarian Pastry Shop, sharing hamantaschen with a friend, reading and talking, relishing the warmth of a house full of chattering strangers finding comfort from the cold. The weather may be frightful, but w

inter provides some of the kindest contrasts between mean streets and welcoming spaces. And whether you're looking forward to celebrations in the city, hosting family or missing family, sharing adventures with friends or quietly soaking in solitary days, I wish you a deep sense of peace this holiday season. May it find you at home in yourself and in this world.

With interest rates low and inventory high, this fall market has been great for buyers — but more savings never go amiss, and if you're buying real property (i.e. a condo or townhome), make sure you're talking to your agent about the potential of a purchase CEMA.

This primeron CEMAs covers the possibilities and is well worth a read, but at its most basic: if the seller has an existing mortgage, the buyer may be able to take over the remaining amount, reducing the recording tax on a new mortgage to the amount of the difference. While not an option for every deal — even if the seller has a mortgage, the difference is sometimes too great for significant savings once fees are deducted — purchase CEMAs can cut down significantly on closing costs, and when introduced early, can also be an element of negotiation that leads to better outcomes for all.

Here at the center point between influencers and PTA moms we sit: the gals who just want to put together a holiday gift guide with all the makers we're proud to know. Fair warning: if I'm handing you a package this holiday season, there may be spoilers below:

Later this month, my beloved yoga studio Bread and Yoga will be hosting theOm Grown Holiday Market in their two locations, Inwood + Harlem, and you'll find tinctures and teas fromElder Sisters Apothecaryon the tables at both. The studio will also be selling class packs and cards — a gift that keeps giving!

And then come the places to find whatever you didn't know you were looking for: local stores like Silvana and NiLu in Harlem stock neighborhood makers and boost the local economy — they're my favorite sources for unique cards, candles, and textiles. Urban Garden Center gift cards, for the plant people among us. And gift cards to local restaurants, coffeeshops, and bookstores (like Bookculture, an NYC staple whose holiday sale is on now) : all more personal forms of funding experiences.

At the holidays, the tip is literal : 'tis the season to show your appreciate for doormen, mail carriers, concierges, and cleaners — any staff or service-people who make living in your home a little sweeter. While the exact amounts of cash gifts are at your discretion (as is the practice — it's customary, not required), it's usual in full-service buildings to tip the super, doorman, concierge and attendants, usually at least a hundred dollars for the more senior staff. Some condos and co-ops put together tipping pools, and even in small buildings with limited or no staff, there may be opportunities to contribute — in my building (a small seven-unit rental), we have a heavy delivery rotation and always put together a group tip to thank our UPS carrier for the endless Amazon Prime. If you want more guidance, this is an excellent comprehensive take on an often confusing topic. And when in doubt: a plate of cookies and a note of appreciation never goes amiss!