The weather has chilled, it is time to dust off the brandy bottle from last year, slice up some oranges for mulled wine/spiced wine/Glühwein (whatever it is called in your home), the holidays have officially arrived.

We've been flooded with emails about different holiday events happening around BCN. So get a merry band of friends together, start off with that hot, cinnamon and clove infused wine and a round of secret Santa gifting – remember, be generous with your gift, karma has a funny way of acting when you go cheap, which happened to me several years ago when I ended up the last to pick a gift and got the very crappy bag of chocolates I had brought to a party, at least go for some Ferrero Rocher or Lindt. Keep that festive mood going with a holiday DVD viewing (A Christmas Story and The Muppet Christmas Carol are at the top of my list), put on "Last Christmas" by Wham, and if you have it, The Muppets and John Denver Christmas album and when you are all in the merriest of moods, venture out to one of these fine holiday fiestas and happenings.

Happy Holidays everyone, see you in 2010 and don't forget to buy that red underwear for New Year's Eve – it's rumored to bring luck in love in the coming yr!

Relaxing foot massage every Wednesday at Dale Candela from 5pm-8pm: (Eixample) We thought we would throw something on the list for all of you with weary feet from pounding Puerta del Angel, Portaferrissa and Passeig De Gràcia in search of gifts for both friends and family. The lovely people at Dale Candela, the place for candles and aromatherapy, are offering relaxing foot massages very Wednesday (except the 23rd and 30th). Their 20 minute sessions include: A warm foot bath with their relaxing bath salts and a relaxing foot massage with their precious Argan oil for feet, for only €15.

Free bottle of cava with dinner at Tapa Tapa Maremagnum: (Barceloneta) Here's a nice idea after wearing out your feet Christmas shopping at the Maremagnum shopping center: a tapas dinner with friends while gazing out over the port. Our friends at Tapa Tapa Maremagnum are offering a free bottle of cava (minimum group of four) to Miniguide readers, just mention you saw it here when calling +34 93 225 86 97 to reserve.

December 18th:

NaViDaDa at La Cova De Les Cultures at 10pm: (Gràcia) Ilikeitdark and Prostibulo Poetico's Dada inspired music, performance art and high weirdness all wrapped up for the holidays. Come and marvel at the artistic hi-jinx, and create your own bizarre costumed persona. Featuring: Prank (with Amanda Jayne and Marc & Danny from The Gangsters of Love), Duffy O' Brick, Splendid the Great and the Poetry Brothel putas. €3 (members), €6 (non-members)

December 19th:

White Senzacionarium at Hotel Melià Barcelona at 9pm: (Sant Gervasi) For the holidays, a special session of this exclusive blindfolded dinner party, that stimulates the senses with music, theatrical performances and food that makes the mouth water.

December 20th:

Chakra Balancing Workshop at Yoga Dinámico Mandiram from 11am-2pm: (Pl. Catalunya) Again, another way to get back that centered and balanced feeling just before the holiday party season kicks into full gear. YDM offers a special workshop to help participants balance their chakras using the vibration of their own voice, three hours, at €30. Get a friend and take a break from the package hunt to re-energize.

December 22nd:

8bit Xmas Special at Sala BeCool at 9pm: (Sant Gervasi) 8-bit is everywhere, check out the article in Miniguide and some of the top acts on the scene in a very special Christmas party put on by microBCN, the community's collective, at BeCool. See Meneo, Drop1410, visuals by Entter and a whole lot more (nudity even a possibility) for only €5.

Christmas Eve, December 24th:

Footloose!: (Poble Nou) Stop by glam Poble Nou hot spot Hotel Me for a Christmas Eve's party with 80s by Lee Mender and house music by Justin Blair, Mica, and Fud!do till 5am. The first 100 guests arriving will receive a special gift from trendy French shop SCFR (Sacrés-Français) plus a free copy of Miniguide, already a collector's editions. Run, don't walk. No cover charge.

New Oven Cóctel Navidad 2009: (Eixample) A revamped space that serves as a restaurant, chill-out locale and host to holiday fiestas and more is serving up some new menu deals. Their special Christmas Cocktail menu for €40 per person includes two hours of open bar (beer, wine, soda, juice and water), cold dishes like ham with tomato bread, hot dishes such as mushroom risotto and curry chicken skewers and ends with sweet desserts like crema catalana.

Villancicos Flamencos and Robert y CIA at Otto Zutz: (Gràcia) On the Altos VIP, 2nd Floor, enjoy a night of Christmas Eve magic infused with some flamenco and the usual hip-hop, dance and R&B tunes Otto Zutz is known for -incredible to believe this old factory, converted into a hot club space in Gràcia has been going strong since 1985- also check out their New Year's Eve party.

New Year's Eve, December 31st:

Le Meridien New Year's Dinner: (Barri Gòtic) When we see a deal, we have no choice but to spread the word. Le Meridien, the posh hotel spot favored by celebs, including her pop majesty, Madonna has put together a very special New Year's Eve menu, at a price, many wallets will sigh in relief at, €49. For that, you get dinner: including things like carpaccio, grilled fish, even politically incorrect, but very tasty foie, desserts with white chocolate and passion fruit, a New Year's party favor bag, Anna Cordoniu cava and even a snack at 2am, to give you enough gusto to make it to the morning and dancing to the DJ entertainment.

New Year's Eve at Shoko at 9pm: (Barceloneta) For those wishing to ring in the new year in a more extravagant way, Shoko is turning the club into four different city atmospheres: Sevilla, Liverpool (a Beatles tribute), Rio de Janeiro and New York to usher in the first day of the year. The dinner is €160, includes performances by Batucada and more, or you can opt for the special open bar on the terrace at €80, or €40 (advance)/€50 (door) for only the club entrance + two drinks. Along for the ride are Buffetlibre DJs, DJ Dr Cartagena, DJ Face-tic and DJ Toni Storella, VIP services also available. And remember, dress to impress, as they point out, NYE style is preferred.

New Year's Dinner Buffet & Dancing at Fahrenheit at 9pm: (Eixample) This sleek new bar & nightclub has created a tempting New Year's Eve gourmet buffet menu including salads, tapas, and canapes with main dishes of filet mignon with foie and mushrooms, tuna steak in a tonkatsu sauce and tempura of tuna with nori. Desserts include chocolate fondue (mmm) and Spanish chocolate turron. And of course, grapes at midnight. Dinner with open bar from 9pm to 1am and two drinks included after 1am: €120 or €150 for VIP seating. If you're just interested in dancing, entrance is €35 from 1am and includes two drinks. Music will be hits from the 80s and 90s by DJ FdeFunk.

Welcome 2010 at Rita Blue: (Raval) Something of an institution among young, nicely-dressed Catalan, Spanish and foreign partygoers, Rita Blue is serving up an a la carte dinner (cotillón €10) with the traditional fixin's (campanadas+cava) plus a DJ on hand all night long. Entrance charge €7 euros (includes one drink) or €12 euros (including two drinks).

Fiesta Fin del Año Bar Clandestino at 11.55pm: (Barri Gòtic) A funky party in honor of the last day of the year, here, Harry Callahan and Machito will provide billy, boogaloo and other sounds. Space is limited at this party taking place over two floors, so get tickets now at the bar for €20 (includes drink and a cotillion bag ---the usual wig, noisemaker and new year rushing-in materials.

Funky Fin del Año at DosTrece at 12am: (Raval) Presented by DosTrece and The Joint Sessions, a night of funk, salsa, soul, Latin, boogaloo, dancefloor jazz, old skool hip-hop and more is promised from expert DJing machines, DJ Timber (The Grand Supreme Timber Machine) and Roger C (Miniguide's 'Live and Direct' contributor, and one of the hardest working men on the BCN DJ scene). €10.00 (advance from DosTrece)/ €15.00 (door)

Nouvel An 2010 at La Cova de les Cultures at 12.30am: (Gràcia) Ring in the new year at La Cova with a little bit of music, a little bit of visuals and a whole lot of dancing. Enjoy performances from Massi, Rainbow Warriors, Krudality Sound and Letz & Lamú. €10 with a drink.

New Year's Eve at Otto Zutz at 1am: (Sant Gervasi) Our little elves tell us in addition to a hip-hop flavored Christmas Eve party, Otto Zutz, the place for hip-hop since 1985, will host a lavish New Year's Eve affair, and tickets are on sale now, so get to it!

The Italian Job at City Hall at 1am: (Pl. Catalunya) Craving lemoncello? Shots here at toda-la-vida nightclub City Hall till 2am and with this kind of kindling the party will rage till morning. DJ line-up includes Paolo Gandini, Roberto Ziteri and Mandi Scarra in the main room and with "Cosa Nostra" DJs spinning rock from the 80s and 90s in the Rebel Room. Doors open at 1am.

Matineé Winter Festival 2010 at Pavelló Olímpic de Badalona at 1am: In its second year, this is quite possibly the most raucous and hedonistic of all parties to start the new year. Matinée All-Stars J.Louis, Taito Tikaro, André Vicenzzo and Paco Maroto will be in charge of supplying the rhythm, along with a live performance by Vanesa Klein and go-go dancers and performances will be provided by Gore Performance, Aerial Acrobatics, Decoliflor Arts, Dancedeluxe Ibiza and Mako Performances. €35 (includes two drinks)

Zelig: Have an anti-exploitative evening with no cover charge and same drink prices as all year 'round at this eclectic Raval bar attracting an international and liberal crowd – gay, straight, whatever. DJs from 12.30am.

And after dinner, drinks and dancing ... take that special someone(s) to a love hotel for a discrete, romantic, and unforgettable (well that depends on how much wine your drink) experience. Options include La França (Poble Sec) with New Year's prices from €97 to €164 per night and La Paloma (Raval) for €73 euros, both of which will take reservations for New Year's and with the added bonus that there is no check out hour.

January 4th and 5th:

Colour Me Happy at Collage from 9am-6pm: (Gràcia) Something for the kids in the days leading up to the arrival of the Three Kings. Parents are invited to come along free, for children it's €10 to spend the day making masks, costumes, hats, sculptures in a multicultural and -lingual environment. Hosted by Gracia Arts Project and sponsored by Ambilin Professional Services, the whole thing ends with a parade around Gràcia. Contact to reserve a spot for your wee ones.