MyBoston - Back Bay & Beacon Hill: December 2025

MyBoston

BACK BAY & BEACON HILL

A TALE OF TWO NEIGHBORHOODS

COLLIN BRAY

THE ART OF HOSTING

HOLIDAY

GATHERINGS THAT SPARKLE

Bells on the Hill Ring in the Holidays

Happy Holidays from Stilisti

Thank You for Another Beautiful Year! From everyday transformations to once-in-a-lifetime moments, you’ve trusted us to bring your vision to life – and we’re endlessly grateful. As 2025 comes to a close, we’re celebrating you – our incredible clients, friends, and future guests – who inspire everything we do. Here’s to fresh color, fearless cuts, bold new beginnings.

Holiday Pro Tip: Make Your Blowout/Style Last Longer

1. Dry shampoo before bed. Apply at the roots, brush out in the morning.

2. Sleep smart: loose bun or two loose side ponies.

3. Silk pillowcase to cut friction + frizz.

4 Keep the ambient temp low while you sleep.

5. Block humidity. Light, anti-humidity finisher (mist through mids/ends, not roots) to seal the style.

6. Hands off. Touching speeds up oil at the roots—skip the habit, especially after workouts.

7. Steam shield. In the shower, use a Stilisti terry-lined shower cap to keep out humidity and preserve your blowout.

8 . On day 2–3, revive volume with a round brush or a few big Velcro rollers while you get ready.

FEATURES

18 Bells on the Hill

A beloved Beacon Hill tradition—the Beacon Hill Ringers—is headed into its 101st year.

22 A Tale of Two Neighborhoods Back Bay and Beacon Hill might look similar, but for residents, there are real differences. Collin Bray breaks them down.

24 The Art of Hosting

With the holiday season upon us, Rey Moraga reveals his secrets for throwing the perfect dinner party.

COLUMNS

6 PUBLISHER’S NOTE Traditions and Togetherness

8 LOCAL PULSE Community Calendar

14 LOCAL TASTES 89 Charles

28 5 BEST Host Gifts

34 LOCAL SOCIAL Community Gatherings

38 MY SUNDAY Zak Kinnaird

40 PHOTO OP Visions of Sugar Plums

COVER Pamela Madigan of the Beacon Hill Ringers

Location: Nichols House

Photograph by Claire Vail

TRADITIONS AND TOGETHERNESS

aAS WE ENTER the holiday season and begin our second year of MyBoston magazine, I find myself reflecting on what truly matters—family, friends, and the simple joy of being together. This year, I will be spending time with my family in Europe. That means keeping many traditions, such as baking seven kinds of cookies (yes, seven!), gathering around the table to share good food, cutting an apple to see my lucky star, singing carols, and sharing stories that keep us connected.

In this issue, we celebrate that spirit of togetherness. Every page is a reminder that beauty often lives in small, shared moments. The inspiring Beacon Hill Ringers are one source of shared holiday moments. This group of dedicated bell ringers has been bringing holiday music to the neighborhood for generations. We also share an expert’s tips for hosting warm, memorable holiday gatherings. And when

it’s your turn to be entertained, don’t miss our guide to the five best gifts for hosts. This season also brings exciting news— our newly redesigned website is now live, offering a fresh way to experience neighborhood stories and connect with our community online.

Thank you to our readers and partners for making MyBoston part of your lives this past year. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a wonderful start to 2026!

See you in the neighborhood,

Renata Coker Publisher, MyBoston

www.mybostonmag.com @mybostonmag

Publisher

Renata Coker

Renata.Coker@mybostonmag.com

Editor and Photographer

Claire Vail

editor@mybostonmag.com

Writers

Collin Bray

Rey Moraga

Advisory Board

Collin Bray

Robert Dimmick

Leigh Harrington

Lisa Mulman

Sharin Schober

David Sharff

Cindy Sullivan

WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman

Carroll V. Dowden

President and CEO

Mark Dowden

SVP, Group Publisher

Thomas Flannery

VP, Content Strategy

Maria Regan

VP, Director of Digital Media

Nigel Edelshain

Creative Director

Kijoo Kim

Associate Editor

Sophia Carlisle

Advertising Services Director

Jacquelynn Fischer

Operations Director

Catherine Rosario

Production Designer

Chris Ferrante

Print Production Manager

Fern Meshulam

Circulation Manager

Kathy Wenzler

Advertising Production Associate

Griff Dowden

Community CALENDAR

Boston dazzles in December, with holiday trimmings, tree lightings, and plenty to see and do around the city. Check out these exhibitions, author talks, concerts and other events happening in Back Bay, Beacon Hill and beyond.

December 1

Copley Square Tree Lighting

Join Santa and Rudolph in Copley Square for the lighting of the large Christmas tree, to the sound of the Old South Church bell. Live music will be performed by local groups, including the Boston Children’s Chorus and the Boston Pops Esplanade Brass Ensemble. After the tree is lit, head to the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel to enjoy cookies and photos with Santa. Copley Square, 5 to 6 p.m.

December 1

Copley Square Library: Revolution! 250 Years of Art and Activism in Boston

This exhibition brings together more than two centuries of prints, photographs, drawings,

sculptures and paintings from Boston Public Library’s collection that reflect on Boston’s role in the Revolutionary War, including works created during the time of the revolution. It’s been 250 years since our break with England, and this exhibit invites all to explore our nation’s founding ideals as depicted in these artworks. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 700 Boylston St. Free. Call 617.536.5400 for more information.

December 1-31

Isabella Stewart Gardner: Allan Rohan Crite, Urban Glory

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum will feature the artworks of Allan Rohan

Crite, a South End artist who devoted his life to depicting the multicultural, multiracial, and multigenerational community of Boston. Another exhibition featuring Crite’s work, “Allan Rohan Crite: Griot of Boston,” is on display at the Boston Athenaeum throughout December. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 25 Evans Way.

December 3

French Library: Winter Cheese

Learn about French winter cheeses from the experts at the French Library. This class, which is part of the library’s extensive Gastronomy and Wine program, takes a look at specific cheeses selected for their robust flavor and texture, and offers advice on how to appreciate them, and bring out their unique taste with complementary French wines. From 6 to 7:30 p.m., 53 Marlborough St.

December 3

French Library: Holiday Family Concert of French Musical Tales—Babar!

Step into the whimsical world of Poulenc and Satie, where music meets imagination. This joyful holiday concert invites children and adults alike to discover the humor, poetry, and magic of two French masters. From 5:30 to 7 p.m., 53 Marlborough St.

December 3-28

Boston Ballet: “The Nutcracker”

Choreographer Mikko Nissinen’s “The Nutcracker” has been called the gold standard performance of this holiday classic. Follow young Clara on Christmas Eve as she journeys to the Kingdom of the Sweets, where she encounters the magical creatures there. Opulent sets, exquisite costumes, and astounding dancers make this a spectacular

evening for dance lovers, and a perfect introduction to ballet for younger people. Boston Ballet, 19 Clarendon St. Call 617695-6955 for tickets.

December 4

Boston Common Tree Lighting

Gather with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and thousands of spectators to see the 7,000 lights on Boston Common’s Christmas Tree, a gift from Nova Scotia, turn on. Photo ops with Santa, Rudolph, and prizes and refreshments will be provided while supplies last. When the big tree is lit, more than 80 trees throughout the Common, Public Garden, and Commonwealth Ave Mall also light up. Visitors Center on Tremont Street.

December

5

Gibson House: Etiqueteer’s 14th Annual Repeal Day Celebration

Join etiquette expert Robert Dimmick, aka the Etiqueteer, at the Gibson House for this annual party to celebrate the end of Prohibition, now in its 14th year. Guests will gather for an unforgettable evening of good cheer, specialty cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres in the splendor of this historic house. Period attire welcome! From 6 to 8 p.m. at The Gibson House, 137 Beacon St. Email info@thegibsonhouse.org for information.

December

5-21

Mount Auburn Cemetery: Winter Solstice

Solstice is an event like no other in Boston or Cambridge, a spiritual event for the secular and religious alike. Large-scale light and sound artworks, live music and candle lighting invite guests to bask in the serene peace and winter beauty of Mount Auburn Cemetery’s grounds and chapel. Come walk through the light-filled landscape and reflect on moments of change as this year ends, and a new one begins. Evenings throughout December, visit www.mountauburnsolstice.org for tickets. 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge. 580 Mount Auburn Street

December 7

Emmanuel Church: Back Bay Ringers

Ring in the season with the silvery sound of the Back Bay Ringers, a handbell ensemble under the direction of Griff Gall. This Christmas concert will feature beloved carols and traditional works elevated by the tintinnabulation of the bells. 3 p.m. at 15 Newbury St.

December 7

Trinity Church: Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Magnificat

Hear the soaring sounds of George Frideric

Handel’s “Messiah” (Part the First) and Johann Sebastian Bach’s exuberant “Magnificat, BWV 243,” performed by The Trinity Choirs, soloists, and orchestra. One of Bach’s most beloved works, this setting of the Song of Mary was written for Christmas Day 1723. Trinity Church in Copley Square, 2 to 4 p.m. Call 617-536-0944 for tickets.

December

11

Nichols House Museum: Eggnog Pre-Party

Meet other guests and have a cup of cheer at the Nichols House Museum’s Eggnog Pre-Party, a perfect prelude to the Holiday House Tour on December 14 at 6 p.m., 55 Mount Vernon St.

60,000

December 13

Pucker Gallery: Marguerite Robichaux’s “Grand Old Tree”

Join artist Marguerite Robichaux for the opening for her exhibit “Grand Old Tree.” The artist has always been inspired by the beauty of New England’s trees, reflecting on what they have witnessed over centuries of life. Opening reception at 3 p.m., exhibition through January 25, 240 Newbury St.

December 14

Vilna Shul: Latkepalooza with Evan Haller

Celebrate the Sunday before Hanukkah on Beacon Hill with a cheerful sing-along and latke-forward brunch that’s perfect for the whole family, led by musician Evan Haller of Music at the Blissful! Activities include dancing and crafting, and everyone is welcome to make something for their holiday art collection. 10 to 11:30 a.m., 18 Phillips St. $25 per family.

December 14

Nichols House Museum: Holiday House Tour

Climb Beacon Hill for the 30th annual Beacon Hill Holiday House Tour with the Nichols House Museum. This tour affords guests the opportunity to see examples of historic preservation, interesting architectural details, and creative interior design inside private homes lavishly decorated for the holidays. Guests can also tour the Nichols House Museum, a historic home with period-style decor. A reception will follow, with caroling and good cheer. 12 to 4 p.m., 55 Mount Vernon St.

December 18

Museum of Fine Arts: Hanukkah Celebration

An evening of art, music and activities that celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, presented by Vilna Shul and Combined Jewish Philanthropies. Gather for performances and art that showcases the many Jewish cultures and identities. 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5 minimum, 465 Huntington Ave.

December 18

Handel and Haydn: A Baroque Christmas Experience the joy of baroque music with the Handel and Haydn orchestra, chorus, and resident conductor Scott Allen Jarrett. Hear jubilant works by J.S. Bach, his cousin J.L. Bach, alongside the beauty of Graupner’s Magnificat. This concert is a celebration of musical brilliance that will help put you in a holiday mood. December 18 at 7:30 p.m., December 21 at 3 p.m. Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough St. Call 617-987-8600 for tickets.

December 22

Coolidge Corner Theater: White Christmas

Come see the technicolor classic on a big screen. Starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as two song-and-dance war veterans who become one of the hottest acts in show business, this holiday favorite features songs by Irving Berlin. Directed by Michael Curtiz. 290 Harvard St., Brookline.

Dec 1-December 28

10th Annual SoWa Winter Festival

Get in the holiday spirit and browse more than 100 local vendors who offer a wide range of handmade art and gifts, while enjoying specialty foods and drinks. $10; children 12 and under are free. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on opening day at 550 Harrison Ave. Check www.sowa. com for more times and information.

December 31

Trinity Church: Emancipation Proclamation Concert

Join Handel and Hayden’s resident conductor Anthony Trecek-King, Massachusetts Poet Laureate Regie Gibson, and other special guest soloists for a free concert commemorating the original 1863 Grand Jubilee concert held in Boston, where members of H+H performed in celebration of President Lincoln’s enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation. A partnership between H+H and the Museum of African American History. Free, 1 p.m., 206 Clarendon St.

Subterranean SECRET

89 Charles is Beacon Hill’s newest and only speakeasy, offering creative cocktails and luxe treats in a glamorous deco-style lounge.

BY CLAIRE VAIL

BLINK AND YOU’LL MISS IT, and that’s perfectly fine with the patrons of 89 Charles, Beacon Hill’s new speakeasy, since part of this swanky new bar’s charm is its semi-secret location on Charles Street, where Italian restaurant Artu used to be. The sign-less subterranean entrance has a mosaic number 89 at the bottom of the staircase—the only way to really know

you’re in the right spot. Behind the plain black door is an intimate glamourous Gatsby-era lounge with a glittering bar, plush banquettes, and a lively, fashionable crowd that loves its cocktails.

Transforming a Beacon Hill brownstone into a restaurant is always an interesting design challenge, but 89 has made the most of a tight space, and the clever layout and divine deco décor, wall mirrors entertain the eye and give the whole lounge the feel of an exclusive after-party. The teal velvet old Hollywood-style swivel chairs and sofas invite diners to truly lounge as they eat and drink, and the 12 gold-andorange striped bar stools at the other end of the house offer a place to watch 89’s bartenders perform their magic.

CREATIVE COCKTAILS

89 is primarily a cocktail bar, with fancy snacks that complement the imaginative drinks, alcoholic and non, created by mixologist and manager Dave Irwin. There are interesting twists on old standards like martinis and negronis, but also plenty of novel concoctions for those who prefer a more tropical taste, with playful names to match. “This Cosmo is a Cougar,” for example, features citrus vodka, lemon, banana, and orgeat, an almond-flavored liquor that was a staple in 40s and 50s era cocktails. Dark berry lovers should try the “Bramble Home,” a whiskey-based homage to juicy blackberries, topped off with Cassis and Zucca, a Milanese herbal aperitif made from rhubarb and cardamom. 89’s espresso martini is a midnight island affair, with dark coconut notes and clouds of coconut whipped cream. There’s also a champagne list if you’re feeling a bit bubbly.

“We wanted 89 Charles to feel like a hidden neighborhood spot. Our goal was to create a space where we could bring a great

cocktail program to the area. Some of that inspiration came from visiting the kind of tucked away cocktail bars you find in other cities but with an intimate, timeless vibe that fit in Beacon Hill,” said owner Gennaro Riccio. Riccio, who manages Gennaro’s 5 North Square in the North End, has been in the restaurant business since his 20s, and has had a hand in that neighborhood’s old-world style Italian cafes, including Hanover Street’s Café Amaro, Caffe Vittoria, and Florentine Café.

Chef Matt McPherson’s snack menu ranges from luxe treats, such as Foie Gras Bratwurst and Kaluga Caviar with latkes and crème fraiche, to the plain and hearty, including a roast beef French dip sandwich and thick cut rosemary-flavored potatoes. There are desserts, too, in the form of a large, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies that are perfect for sharing, and a poached pear torte a la mode. Either makes a sweet ending to a swanky experience.

Claire Vail writes about food, art and culture for My Boston.

Bells on the Hill

A beloved Beacon Hill tradition is headed into its 101st year, thanks to the dedication of handbell musician Pamela Madigan and the Beacon Hill Ringers.

BY CLAIRE VAIL

EEVERY CHRISTMAS EVE, hundreds of people from all over New England brave the cold and the lack of parking to pack the streets around Beacon Hill’s Louisburg Square for a ritual tintinnabulation. At 8 p.m., a single silvery note cuts through the chatter, its bright chime reverberating in the dark. Voices rise, and the spectators become a chorus crooning familiar verses of holiday carols: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night.” People hold hands, embrace friends, smile at strangers. In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas.

Like the flickering gas lamps or the garlands that deck the grand 19th century brownstones of this storied neighborhood, this outdoor concert by the Beacon Hill Ringers, an ensemble of handbell musicians and enthusiasts, is a Boston tradition now in its 101st year. In that time, the group has missed only two performances—one during WWII, and the other in 2020, during the pandemic.

Pamela Madigan, the ensemble’s current director, calls the music

transformative. “There’s a reason there are bell choirs and groups all around the world, in every culture. The bells create an otherworldly sound, a naturally spiritual sound. It’s impossible to ignore.”

Though the event is not widely advertised, Madigan estimates that somewhere around four hundred people showed up to last year’s concert.

Madigan has kept the tradition alive for the last five decades, traveling from her home in the suburbs to Boston to play with her fellow musicians, all of whom sacrifice or delay Christmas Eve with their families each year to do the same. Madigan has only missed the concert three times in 58 years: once in 1991 when she was heavily pregnant, once during the pandemic when public gatherings were forbidden, and once two years ago when both she and her daughter came down with COVID. “We’d have to be incapacitated or dead not to show up,” she says, cheerily.

The group has five members, including Madigan, all of whom share a deep love and knowledge of music,

though only one is a professional handbell ringer. Graphic designer and orchestral musician Chuck Gibson has been playing alongside Madigan since 1966. Thirty years later, they were joined by percussion teacher Bob Johnson, who plays drums, handbells, and tone chimes for various theater productions around town. In 2014,

Madigan recruited Griff Gall, the only professional handbell musician, who is also a music teacher, and the founding director of the Back Bay Ringers, an advanced handbell group in Boston. The fifth member of the ensemble is Madigan’s daughter, Victoria, a molecular biologist and postdoctoral fellow at MIT, who first played alongside her mother on the jingle bells at age four.

PLAYING BY EAR

Traditional handbell music scores resemble piano music, but instead of one musician controlling many keys, there are many musicians, each controlling their own bells. Each player has to be acutely aware of how their bells function in a complex melodic line.

The Beacon Hill Ringers, however, play purely by ear.

“When Pamela asked if I would ring with the Beacon Hill Ringers, I was excited. This is something handbell musicians talk about. It’s handbell legend. When I was in college, my teacher would talk about the Beacon Hill Ringer tradition, so to be asked to be part of that was really exciting for this handbell geek,” says Gall.

Madigan sent him a booklet that listed lyrics, starting notes, and flats and sharps, a far cry from the sheet music Gall was accustomed to.

“Practicing two notes by ear went horribly,” he says, “but when we’re all there together, since we know the carols, it’s amazing—it just works. We’re standing in order, so it’s kind of like looking at a bar of music visually.”

BEACON HILL’S ORIGINAL RINGER

Margaret Shurcliff was Beacon Hill’s original bellringer. Born Margaret Nichols in 1879 at 55 Mt. Vernon St., Shurcliff grew up in what is now the Nichols House Museum, a historic Arts and Crafts-era gem featuring furniture built and carved by the Nichols children. Athletic, intellectual, and artistic, Shurcliff was a dynamo most remembered today for popularizing handbell playing in America.

In her memoir “Lively Days,” Shurcliff recounts how her father took her on a trip to England to indulge his hobby—ringing church tower bells. Nichols was an accomplished ringer who had restored the bells in the Old North Church and who would later install

bells at the Perkins School for the Blind.

“She resisted the trip,” says Gall. “She wanted to go play tennis in New Hampshire, but instead she went to England, and she fell in love with the bells.”

Shurcliff became the first American woman, and the second woman ever, to ring a complete peal by pulling the ropes on large tower bells to produce a long, complex series of notes, an ancient practice

known as change ringing—or more popularly “ringing the changes.” She was gifted an octave of London Whitechapel handbells to take back with her to Boston.

Back home, she and a few friends began ringing on Christmas Eve for the pleasure of her immediate neighbors around Mount Vernon Street.

BELL RINGING TAKES OFF Shurcliff would go on to form The New England Guild of English Handbell Ringers, which still exists as The Handbell Musicians of America. People began writing to her for advice about starting handbell groups. Old South Church bought its own set of bells. A stone quarry in Quincy formed its own ensemble for the entertainment of the workers.

“People said that if Margaret met you, she would put a handbell in your hand,” says Gall. “She was very passionate. But she never meant it to be high performance art. It was about a sense of community and joy at music making.”

Life Magazine ran a feature on Shurcliff in 1947, helping to entrench and popularize the tradition.

Madigan’s mother, who had become acquainted with Shurcliff briefly before her death in 1959, was determined to continue her legacy. Madigan first played the handbells in public at age 12 in 1966, when her mother brought her to Beacon Hill for a Christmas Eve concert at the home of Angela and Raymond Mryers, a wealthy couple who were in the ensemble. The ringers played outside on the Mryers’ stoop for about 15 minutes, according to Madigan. Then they headed inside for a longer private concert and lavish holiday party.

“It was quite a spectacle. Angela Mryers had a magnificent house with a huge Christmas tree in the bow window, with real candles. I remember watching as their maid lit them one by one,” says Madigan.

In 1967, the group released an album of holiday hits under the record label Beacon Hill Garden Club. Throughout the 70s and 80s, Madigan organized, expanded and popularized the tradition, recruiting more members and turning the event into what it is today. She has introduced new elements. Now kids can play along on small sets of hand

COMMUNITY CALL TO ACTION: Space for the Back Bay Ringers

Griff Gall, artistic director of the Back Bay Ringers, named the ensemble to honor the Beacon Hill Ringers. The Back Bay group holds concerts at Christmas and in spring and performs around New England. Gall is searching for dedicated space in downtown Boston to hold workshops and training. The group needs 1100 square feet of space that can be secured, so they can store their instruments there. If you have space that might work, please contact Executive Director Stephanie LaShotoWestfield: executive.director@backbayringers.org.

jingle bells, and the group hands out printed programs with song lyrics.

Madigan thinks there’s something timeless about the sound of bells. She had bells played at her mother’s funeral and at her daughter’s wedding. She believes in their power to bring people together.

“I don’t think there’s anything better to do on Christmas Eve,” she says. “It gives you hope for the future, and we need that hope.”

Claire Vail writes about food, art and culture for MyBoston.

A Tale of Two Neighborhoods

Back Bay and Beacon Hill might look similar, but for the people who live there, there are real differences. Realtor Collin Bray walks us through just a few.

BY COLLIN BRAY

BBEACON HILL AND BACK BAY, two original Boston neighborhoods, were built in 1795 and 1890, respectively. They are both stunning places to live, work, and visit, thanks to the architectural details that we—the residents and keepers of these living time capsules—work so hard to preserve. Our similarities are easy to spot: brick rowhomes, brownstone buildings, ornate limestone facades, and distinctive interiors. Tourists might not detect the differences, but residents know them well. So what really makes

Back Bay (population 18,983) and Beacon Hill (population 9,327) different?

BARKS AND TREATS

Beacon Hill: “Yappier Hour” at the Liberty Hotel brings humans and pups together for water and wine. This legendary networking event unleashes fun! Still thirsty on the walk home? Step inside “Paws on Charles.” They keep individual water bowls in the back, available for your furry friend, just ask. Back Bay: The Commonwealth

Avenue Mall is an unofficial dog runway with hidden treat buckets along the way. If you stroll east towards the Public Garden, check out the second to last bench near Exeter Street. Your dog will sniff out the secret! If you need a fly collar, visit “Pawish” on Gloucester. Nancy, the owner, will greet you with a smile. She can also offer grooming, hidden but available on the lower floor.

HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Back Bay: Starting in December, Commonwealth Avenue observes a beloved tradition: the lighting of 270 trees to illuminate the mall creating a festive feeling.

Beacon Hill: Halloween on The Hill. Elaborate building decorations, creative costumes and king-sized candy bars. This elevated “Trick or treat” is taken to the next level on the corner of where Mount Vernon Street meets Louisburg Square.

HIDDEN DRINK EXPERIENCES

Back Bay: Home to three hidden speakeasys. The Blind Duck at Raffles, D16 Bar Lounge on Boylston, and—my personal favorite—Hecate, named after the Greek goddess of magic and witchcraft, on Gloucester Street. Beacon Hill: One speakeasy— 89 Charles—which opened in September, with a swanky design theme inspired by “The Great Gatsby.”

KNOCK KNOCK

Beacon Hill: Front door details with loads of personality. Frogs, lions, pineapples and fish. On the three blocks that make up Chestnut Street, there

are 46 door knockers!

Back Bay: On all nine blocks of Marlborough Street, there are only 11 door knockers. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my. Opportunity knocks!

TALE OF TOWNHOMES

Back Bay: 114 single-family townhomes.

Beacon Hill: 443 single-family townhomes.

COBBLESTONE AND GAS LAMPS

Beacon Hill: Original cobblestone streets. Stones sourced from riverbeds and complemented by 1,124 active original gas-lit lamps.

Back Bay: No cobblestone streets. Red bricks line many streets, alongside 209 active original gas-lit lamps.

RECESS AND LUNCH

Collin Bray is a Back Bay resident and local brownstone real estate expert with 20 years of experience.

Photograph by Brian McWilliams

Photography

Beacon Hill: Myrtle Street Playground was renovated in 2022 and is located at the top of hill. It offers one main play structure, swings and toys. The BHCA has a “Friends of the Myrtle Street Playground” that organizes seasonal events for families and programs like Summer Movie Nights.

Back Bay: Clarendon Street Playground was established in 1977 and renovated in 2023. Nestled under a dense canopy of mature trees, it offers two play structures, swings,

slides, toys and more. The NABB has a “Playground Committee” that organizes seasonal events for families.

PRIVATE WAYS OR ALLEYWAYS

Beacon Hill: No alleyways— instead it has a total of 27 private ways, the city version of a cul-desac. Not having alleyways means less parking and trash pick-up takes place on the street in front.

Back Bay: No private ways, except for one! Back Street is still private and located on the “waterside” behind Beacon Street. Back Bay infrastructure at the turn of the century included rear alleyways, 36 in total, each measuring 16 feet wide, offering residents rear parking alongside trash bin storage.

AT THE HEART

The core meaning of a neighborhood is a community —with physical boundaries. Back Bay and Beacon Hill were designed to have differences, bringing neighbors closer together.

Remember, your random act of kindness is one wave, one smile. This could make a real difference for someone, even if they are not your neighbor.

by Claire Vail

The Art of Hosting

With the holiday season upon us, Back Bay resident, hotelier, and consummate host Rey Moraga reveals his secrets for how to throw the perfect dinner party.

BY REY MORAGA

iIT GOES WITHOUT saying that hosting is an art. The French have a phrase for it: l’art de recevoir, which literally translates to “the art of welcome.” More than just setting up a table, it involves meticulous and detailed planning to entertain guests (and oneself, too).

I have been most fortunate to grow up in a family that loves gatherings. Since my childhood in the Philippines, I have been surrounded by gracious hosts and hostesses—parents, grandparents, family friends, and everything in between. I was brought

up tasting hearty home-cooked meals and sat at beautifully set tables for holidays. Whatever the occasion, whether it’s a simple supper, a casual dinner party, or a large holiday celebration, my family always makes an effort.

A dear friend of mine shared with me that my ultimate talent is “to bring people together.” It is an art. Attending hotel school and living in France years later not only formalized my understanding of this delicate craft, but also further elevated it by layering on a knowledge of impeccable service, creating a whole experience for those who gather around the table. Below, I share my secret ingredients for a triumphant dinner as you host for the holidays.

GUEST LISTS AND INVITATIONS

When I imagine how I want the night to be, I carefully create a list of guests. It’s a good idea to mix old and new friends, which creates an opportunity where everyone can meet new people. Of course, you’re looking to include your nearest and dearest but also invite guests who would add a different point of view to any conversation. I always go by this saying from Steve Rubell, who co-founded the eponymous Studio 54 with Ian Schrager: “The key to a good party is filling a room with guests more interesting than you.” As for invitations, I like sending them weeks in advance. Parties are notoriously high voltage during this season, and you want your friends and family to plan ahead and secure the date. Be clear with date, time, location and dress code. You can be a little mischievous by adding teasers or quotes, allowing for more excitement and anticipation. Be sure to request an RSVP as receiving an invitation is both a privilege and obligation.

SETTING THE TABLE

Laying the table has practically become a sport in this day and age. For me, the most significant aspect is that your table should reflect your own

personal style. My aesthetics and taste have changed over the years, and they continue to evolve, but I always love a classic spread—one that’s timeless with an eclectic flair. I prefer some drama but not without humor.

I draw inspiration from memorable experiences in some of the world’s grandest dining rooms—from Le Louis XV in Monte Carlo, Plaza Athénée in Paris, and Claridge’s in London to Raffles Hotel in Singapore. With a bit of imagination, you can transport your guests to a destination. Don’t be afraid to mix and match. I enjoy combining heirloom pieces with the new as well as layering different textures, such as crystal and silver. I am a self-confessed maximalist, hence there is a tendency for sculptural tablescapes where ‘more is more.’

For example, for centerpieces, I like combining fresh fruits with the beautiful florals by Winston Flowers. Laura Cousineau, owner of Upstairs Downstairs along Charles Street, loves to use her grandparents’ china (she has a set from each grandmother) so she can entertain from the same dinnerware she enjoyed holiday meals on as a child. This connection between gatherings across time and place adds not only a point for conversation but a depth to the occasion.

ATMOSPHERE

A very important element is the ambience. Many people tend to complicate achieving the perfect atmosphere. The easiest basis is possibly leaning on four out of your five senses: sight, smell, sound, and touch. The room should be a feast for the eyes. Consider the lighting on and around the table. Candles are a theatrical way to illuminate a room— use candlesticks or votives that create a festive glow and reflections.

Whether it’s the smell of the woodburning fireplace or the fragrance of the room perfume, scent also plays a major role in dinner parties and certainly touches

everybody’s mood. I like to accent a room with the various objets d’arts I collect, including my blue Indian peacock taxidermy perched at the bar. Accessories provide an element of richness and a little surprise. Ensure your holiday playlist is tuned in before the first guests arrive. Depending on your theme, it should complement the ambience and never disrupt any of the evening’s conversations. My piano at home makes it easy to play Christmas tunes post-dinner (or perhaps an impromptu sing along after a couple bottles of Champagne). I interpret the fourth sense—touch—here as

the general feeling. Everything must be warm, seamless and balanced throughout, making every guest relaxed and at ease.

FOOD AND DRINKS

Of course, the fifth sense is taste. There’s nothing better than a relaxed host in his or her element. The secret for this is mise en place, another French term that means everything in its place. Preparation leading up to the date of your event is key. However, if you can’t imagine cooking your own Christmas meal or you’re busy attending other parties, days prior, takeaway from the neighborhood restaurants is always a great alternative option. Last year, I ordered my Thanksgiving turkey from the Raffles Hotel (my workplace) and it came with all the delightful trimmings, including an out-of-thisworld apple pie. One of my favorite restaurants in Boston, Mistral, offers their excellent menu as to-go options as well.

Above all, nothing else makes your guests feel more relaxed and at home than a drink in their hand. I like to assemble a self-serve bar so guests can blend and pour their own libation of choice: an easy spritz, gin and tonic, or negroni with an accoutrement of garnishes. When guests arrive, I like for them to nibble on some snacks, perhaps some canapés and caviar.

Entertaining during the holidays is nothing short of magical, and if done right, it can bring back that feeling

of being a child full of wonder. Be it with friends or family, a gathering is truly a gift and there is no better time to invite people into your home than Christmas. It is an opportunity both to celebrate the past and to look forward. Whether you are continuing decades-old traditions or starting new ones, one thing that will never change is the joy a beautiful table brings to homes and its guests. Remember that friendship and family, the true spirit of the season, will linger long after the last bottle has been emptied.

From the writer’s own collection: 1927 Willow Blue plates (Ridgway), Eternal Ivory porcelain (Lenox), Carlton Gold stemware (Schott-Zwiesel) and antique silverware and candlesticks Rey Moraga is director of guest experience at Raffles Boston. His passions include grand hotels, food and wine, photography, classical music, and wakeboarding.

TABLE DETAILS

1. Festive floral arrangements from Winston Flowers, 131 Newbury St.

2. Tapered candles from Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill, 40 Charles St.

3. Table napkin from Linens on The Hill, 52 Charles St.

4. Tabletop décor (pheasants and glass ornaments) from Upstairs Downstairs, 69 Charles St.

HOST

Gifts

To make a real impression at parties this holiday season, consider one of these distinctive gifts for your host or hostess, sourced from some of our favorite shops in Back Bay and Beacon HIll.

BY CLAIRE VAIL

SLIM AARONS CUTTING BOARDS

Pretty enough to hang on a wall, but tough enough to be put to work, these super glamorous, modestly priced cutting boards feature various images by American social scene photographer Slim Aarons, whose stylized shots of celebs and socialites living the good life graced the pages of Life and Town and Country in the latter half of the 20th century. This is just one option of many gorgeous items at interior designer Alexandra Slote’s upscale, pop-up shop, Alex and Company, which is open for the holiday season in Beacon Hill. Like what you see? Visit Slote’s shop in Osterville on Cape Cod for more of her elegant but playful approach to design.

Where to find: Alex & Co. Pop Up, 70 Charles St.

MATSU HANDCRAFTED CANDLES

At Matsu, owner Dava Muramatsu’s sensual jewel box of a boutique, you’ll find a curated selection of artisancrafted products, including clothing, glassware, dinnerware, linens and more, sourced from Muramatsu’s favorite artists in Japan, France, and Italy. The goods are grand, and everything here meets our criteria for unique, distinctive gifts, so you can’t go wrong. Matsu’s line of candles is a luxurious choice made locally for the designer herself, with a Japanese theme, and irresistible scents you won’t find elsewhere (ginger, rose and quince is just one combination).

Where to find: Matsu, 76 Charles St.

LOUIS SEL GOURMET FRENCH SEA SALT

Everyone knows and loves Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill, and on any given day, it seems like at least half the neighborhood has dropped in to chat with owner Jennifer Hill and her friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Blackstone’s specializes in cuttingedge knives and kitchenware, but this is also a gift store par excellence with an enormous range of items to choose from. You’ll delight in the discoveries you make here, from glittering crystal bracelets to Boston’s biggest selection of decorative dinner napkins. Louis Sel’s sea salts are an exquisite offering for any host or hostess. They’re harvested by hand from the Guerande salt marches in Brittany, France, and flavor any food with subtle notes of sea and air.

Where to find: Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill, 40 Charles St.

SILVER BIRDS

Shopping for antiques in Boston doesn’t have to be daunting. At her vibrant store, owner Laura Cousineau offers an eclectic and affordable mix of antique and vintage items in a bright and cheerful space. Named after the popular British sitcom, the store has been a Beacon Hill fixture since 1992. There’s also modern home décor and works by contemporary New England artists. There are plenty of smaller pieces suitable for gifts, like these charming silver birds, which attract and delight the eye, and look perfect on a dinner table or mantlepiece.

Where to find: Upstairs Downstairs Home, 69 Charles St.

HANDPAINTED ORNAMENTS

Artist Sitka and interior designer Helaine Simon Gulergun created Sitka Home to share their mutual love of fine art with others. In this art gallery and home décor store, you’ll find one-of-a-kind oil paintings and objets d’art to fall in love with. Several of Sitka’s vivid, striking canvases capture Back Bay’s streets and scenes, while Helaine’s inspired decor selections will make you want to quit your day job and start a new career as an artist. These miniature paintings on tiny easels are unique, and multiple ones can be strung together for a beautiful effect.

Where to find: Sitka Home Art Gallery, 160 Newbury St.

Claire Vail is MyBoston’s editor and lead photographer.

We’re so grateful to our community of home cooks, hosts, and gift-givers for another wonderful year. Since 1982, Blackstone’s has been proud to be part of the Boston small business community — offering premium cookware, fine cutlery, home goods, and gifts that inspire connection and creativity. Thank you for choosing to shop local and for letting us be part of your table and celebrations. 40 Charles Street, Boston, MA 617-227-4646 blackstonesboston.com

OCTOBER HOME SALES

Back Bay and Beacon Hill

Women’s Lunch Place

WOMEN’S LUNCH PLACE (WLP) hosted its swanky annual Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser on October 9 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston. Speakers shared emotional and uplifting stories about how WLP helped them rebuild their lives. The event was sold out and raised over $725,000—the highest total in WLP’s 43-year history. The funds will advance WLP’s Housing & Stabilization Program, which helps women transition from homelessness to permanent housing and ensures continued access to meals, advocacy, and the essential services WLP provides. Photographs by Claire Vail

Dinner Under the Stars

THE BEACON HILL Civic Association’s Dinner Under the Stars has become a much loved and anticipated autumn event. The outdoor dinner brings together 300 people to enjoy each other’s company at one long table on the flat of Mt. Vernon Street. It was a beautiful evening this year, and a scene to be seen!

by Claire Vail

ZAK KINNAIRD

Zak Kinnaird yeehaws from Texas by way of Chicago and is a Beacon Hill community builder and Midnight Runner.

BY ZAK KINNAIRD

SUNDAY IS MY day of penance. Not for Puritan sins, but for my more modern Boston vices. For a workweek where I didn’t once rise or grind. For a Duolingo streak in shambles—lo siento. For texts from dear friends I’ve left unread. For spending every summer Sunday chasing a stiff drink and a strong breeze to sail on. Forgive me, Michelle Wu, I have been wicked in Boston.

Yet Sundays are for renewal. This first December one, like every year, I join friends from the Beacon Hill Civic Association to festoon the streetlamps with pine and mirth. With stepladders on loan from the legendary Charles Street Supply, we clatter up and down the brick sidewalks, hauling wreaths and humming along to holiday hits blaring from our portable speakers. We muse about the methane burning nonstop in the lamps we decorate—yet still we are charmed.

Next, I retreat to the Boston

Athenaeum, that quiet chapel for the overcommitted. Here, I send sober texts of my regrets while sketching next week’s social calendar amid books once owned––some lightly read––by George Washington. This week I’ll donate blood at MGH—good for the conscience, the calories, and maybe a life or two. Plus, they have T-shirts! Alas, atonement is also for anybody seeking to be toned—so on Sundays, I run, and it’s often with the infamous Midnight Runners through the Common, Esplanade, and Waterfront. Despite our name, we set off well before midnight—hundreds strong, a few runners burdened heroically with neon-lit loudspeakers blasting music through the streets. Our own gaudy spectacle delights us and bemuses bystanders. But don’t they know Boston is a runner’s city?

By dusk, I’ve nearly completed my Sunday amends—wreaths hung, texts sent, and miles logged. The lamps of Beacon Hill burn bright another night, their gas halos flickering like our own mild, intermittent trespasses. Still, Boston forgives its sinners easily, as long as they show up with a ladder, a private access library card, and good running shoes. If salvation exists

anywhere, it’s in our acts of community faith—proof that even the wicked of Boston can be, if only briefly, redeemed. The city takes a little of your blood, your time, your effort—and in return, it lets you feel whole again, if only until next Sunday.

Zachary Kinnaird works as a patent attorney supporting ultrasound development and public-private partnerships at Philips.

VISIONS OF SUGAR PLUMS

ONE OF OUR favorite holiday rituals is going to see “The Nutcracker” at the Boston Ballet. Mikko Nissinen’s dazzling choreography and Tchaikovsky’s score bring to life the story of Clara and her magical journey to the Kingdom of the Sweets one Christmas Eve. On stage at the Boston Ballet this December.

Have a great image for Photo Op? Submit your high-resolution shot to editor@mybostonmag.com.

Peter Hill is a gift to real estate. Why? Well, for starters, his warm and sunny personality makes every client want to become his friend. With his vast experience, long list of vetted resources, personal service and encyclopedic knowledge of both Beacon Hill and Back Bay, he’s an agent who always delivers. And as part of MGS Group Real Estate, he has the support of 12 other exceptional agents 24/7.

So, if you’re considering a real estate journey, Peter can load up his sleigh, er, car and show you the town. Gve him a jingle at (508) 353-9721.

48 Country Club Road

This gorgeous, sun-filled home, located in Newton Centre, is designed for family and made for entertaining. It’s not only across from a park, it’s also close to top schools, as well as Route 9, 95, Longwood, Boston, The Chestnut Hill Mall and The Street. Talk about a home for the holidays!