Hi Friend,

I hope your Thanksgiving was warm and full in that wonderfully chaotic, pass-the-pie-again way. We had a dozen around the table, family in from out of town, and my mother-in-law hosted (the ultimate gift), which meant I actually got to relax and nibble my way through the afternoon without babysitting the oven. Jamie was in his element, making the rounds with a roll in one hand and a grin that said, “Yes, I will take another cookie.”

Ready or not, the holidays are here. As this hits your inbox, we’re bundling up for Hunter Farm to pick out our tree - a tradition that flips us straight into holiday mode. I can already see Jamie darting through the rows, pointing at “the one” every five minutes while we pretend not to care about symmetry and then inevitably choose the slightly lopsided one with the best personality.

I’m also putting the finishing touches on my gift guides - unsponsored, just real things we use and love. If you’re easing into your list this week, you can browse them here with a cup of something warm in hand, and check off a few names without leaving the couch.

🌱 What We’re Doing

Your roundup of family-friendly events and activities happening this week.

🌳 Where We’re Playing

Your featured park, playground, or indoor play spot.

If you’re hosting family this Thanksgiving weekend and find yourself thinking, “We need something that lasts longer than an hour at the playground,” this is your answer. We spent a full day hopping on and off the light rail, and it was easily the most relaxed family outing we’ve had in ages.

The Route: South End ➡️ Uptown ➡️ NoDa

It’s the perfect low-stress way to support local businesses this weekend - give it a try!

Steal my full day-out itinerary on the blog!

🍪 What We’re Eating: Yassou Greek

We visited Yassou Greek this week and it felt like stepping straight into a family kitchen, the kind where everyone seems to know each other and meals are meant to be lingered over. The space is warm and homey, and from the moment we walked in, the staff treated us like we’d been coming for years. They absolutely doted on Jamie, chatting with him, bringing extra napkins, and making sure he had his own plate of hummus right away.

Food-wise, we were all in heaven. My Pastitsio (basically greek lasagna) ended up being Jamie’s favorite, somehow he ate more of it than I did! I could barely mind because I was too busy obsessing over David’s Arni Giouvetsi (lamb shank over orzo), which came served on the bone and was so tender it literally fell off the bone the moment he picked it up. It had that slow cooked, deeply comforting flavor you hope for in Greek cooking. And then, just when Jamie thought the night couldn’t get any better, they surprised him with a homemade cookie for dessert.

One of the things that made the whole meal feel special was the atmosphere. You could tell many of the other diners were regulars, greeting the staff like old friends. At one point I overheard a table speaking Greek with the waiter, and it felt like the clearest sign that we had stumbled into something truly authentic.

Yassou is warm, delicious, and full of heart. A true hidden gem that we can’t wait to return to.

💡 What We’re Learning

A quick tip, insight, or reflection from a local expert or parent.

Baby-Proofing the Christmas Tree for Our First Toddler Christmas

Last year, Jamie was a sleepy newborn who snoozed under the lights while we decorated however we wanted. This year will be a whole new adventure. With a curious toddler in the mix, we’re learning that a little planning will help keep the tree magical and the season peaceful.

Here’s what we’ll try:

• Create a “yes space.” We’ll set out soft, toddler-safe ornaments and jingling bells nearby so Jamie has something fun to explore.
• Keep breakables up high. Felt stars, wooden shapes, and shatterproof ornaments will go on the bottom branches to set clear, safe boundaries.
• Anchor the tree. We’ll secure it to the wall with fishing line and use a sturdy base so it stays steady even if curious hands tug.
• Skip tinsel and long cords. Ribbon garlands and shorter, secured lights feel safer and less tempting.
• Use a simple redirect. We’ll practice phrases like “Look with your eyes” instead of saying “no” on repeat.
  

   

And if all else fails, we have a plan: wrap a few large totes or boxes like giant presents, fill them with heavy items like books, and use them as a festive barrier around the tree.

It won’t look like last year’s quiet newborn Christmas, but we know it will be full of wonder all the same.

🎄For anyone with tiny babies this season, a quick little trick we loved last year. If you have the Angelcare baby bath, it makes the perfect hidden support for holiday photos. Slip it under the tree, cover it with a cozy blanket, and it creates a snug, safe spot to prop your baby for those sweet, twinkly first Christmas pictures.

📅 What We’re Looking Forward To 

💚 Emily
Founder, The Charlotte Sprout

P.S. If you try any of these spots, tag us on Instagram @charlottesprout! I love seeing your family adventures (and secretly judge how much better your kids behave in public than mine does).

Help The Sprout grow. If one idea made your week easier, please forward this email or tag @thecharlottesprout so more Charlotte parents can find us. 🌱