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Bergen Buzz: December

A Santa Claus train ride for the family; Summer in a bottle with Jersey Tomato Sauce; Fresh cheese for your holiday platters from a Tenafly shop; Meet Bergen's Cutest Pet contest winner!; YMCA's 90th birthday; Jersey themed chocolate

Sweet soiree

Planning a holiday party and deciding what to serve can be a headache. This year, why not simplify things by focusing on those two can’t-lose crowd-pleasers, chocolate and coffee? When chocolate’s feel-good endorphins pair up with the energizing power of coffee, you can practically hear them whispering, “’Tis the season to be jolly!”

Divine dinner party

Looking for inspiration for an unforgettable holiday repast? Morris Health & Life called on three Morris County chefs to create a three-course menu for a festive dinner you can create in your own kitchen. Each course serves six to eight people.

Planning a kids' bash

Don’t forget the young ones when you plan the season’s entertaining. Kids deserve to party too, and you may even catch a moment to hobnob with their chaperoning parents. You’ll find that a savvy selection of colors, decorations and tasty treats can help make your bash a smash.

Divine dinner party

Looking for inspiration for an unforgettable holiday repast? Morris Health & Life called on three Morris County chefs to create a three-course menu for a festive dinner you can create in your own kitchen. Each course serves six to eight people.

Healthy handful

Go ahead—reach for that holiday bowl. A daily serving of nuts—enough to fit in the palm of your hand—packs a much-needed dose of protein and fiber and offers a heart-health boost. They’re cholesterol-free and low in sodium (as long as you stick to unsalted). And each type of nut shines in its own way.

Holiday meals and the traditions behind them

The holiday season is a time for thanks, a time for tradition, and a time for family. Hosts want to serve their loved ones only the best food as they gather around the table with Christmas trees and Menorahs lighting up the room. Here are some traditional recipes and the holiday stories that accompany them.

Sweet Soiree

Coffee meets chocolate—and suddenly you've got a surefire holiday affair

Farm Fresh

Farm 2 Bistro in Rockaway obtains most of its fruits and veggies from small farms within a 100-mile radius, and they’re purchased (and sometimes personally plucked) by staffers each morning.

Chocolate, Jersey style

Chester-based Jersey Brands chocolate promises to leave your taste buds in a blissful state indeed.

Tomato Fever

Bergenfield-based Two Guys Food Group create canned tomato sauces made with only Garden State tomatoes.

Weekly allowance helps kids become responsible with money

Experts encourage parents to give children a weekly allowance and help them decide how much they should spend, save, donate, and invest. This will help them understand not only how much things cost, but also gives them early lessons on financial terminology. Dividing up money also helps your children practice basic math skills such as addition, subtraction, and division.

Weekly allowance helps kids become responsible with money

Experts encourage parents to give children a weekly allowance and help them decide how much they should spend, save, donate, and invest. This will help them understand not only how much things cost, but also gives them early lessons on financial terminology. Dividing up money also helps your children practice basic math skills such as addition, subtraction, and division.

Fare of gold

Fresh, light, airy— it's how you feel when you walk into D’Oro on Chatham’s Main Street.

What's normal fetal growth?

If you're a mom-to-be, research on "What's normal for fetal growth?" for different ethnic groups may help you get better care.

Hail Ale!

Something’s brewing at Basil T’s in Red Bank (732-842-5990, www.basilt.com), which serves up six handcrafted ales direct from its glass-enclosed brewery.

Modern world: Corazza

Don Draper and the rest of TV’s Mad Men would feel right at home at Corazza in Asbury Park (732-361-3179, www.corazzamodern.com), a mecca for classic mid-century furniture and accessories.

Scramblers anonymous

If you decided today to eat one omelet daily from Amy’s Omelette House in Long Branch (732-222-1206, www.youramys.com), you should make it through the menu by next Easter. Add another month if you’d like to tackle the pancakes too.

Pod Squad

Foodies aplenty have declared their love for edamame, an increasingly popular bean that packs a hefty nutritional punch.

No-Fuss French

Resto, a tiny BYO on Madison’s main drag offers an innovative menu of contemporary French fare every four to six weeks, depending on what’s in season.