I just remembered that there's a new British import shop in Concord center, you can have a chuckle at that. Although they do stock Branston's beans.

Indeed, since it's where we started throwing off the yoke of our British oppressors. ;-) Actually, if you walk Battle Road (which is a lovely path through woods and open land past some preserved colonial homes) there are little Union Jacks marking the spots where British soldiers fell.

The Colonial Inn on the roundabout in Concord center has a nice historic feel (haven't been in ages to speak about the food). There are other decent restaurants in town. The train station is a block or two from the actual center. There's a good coffee shop (aside from Nero) called Haute Coffee on a back street. On the way to Battle Road is First Parish (pretty sure Emerson and Thoreau went there), the Concord Museum, one of Hawthorne's homes, and the Alcott home (associated with Little Women). If you don't feel like the full Battle Road walk (it's a mile or so to the start, and then ~11 miles, I think?), you can also walk up to Old North Bridge, very pretty, site of another battle. There are some other trails that lead to Great Meadow. If it's cold, you'll want places to duck into and warm up. For the Christmas break, the visitor's center at Old North Bridge might be open.

It pains me to say this, but it’s going to be difficult to get around to places outside the city without a car. Cape Ann (already mentioned) is a great idea. The train goes to Concord, charming, some nice walks too. You can take the train to Providence, but that’s another city. You can take a ferry to Provincetown for the day, but ideally you’d get out to the dunes too. Are you up for driving day trips? I’d add Oqunquit, Maine and the Marginal Way. I think the train goes to Newport, RI, actually. Lots of the mansions decorate for Christmas.

You probably know this, but it could be bitterly cold, or it could sunny and balmy. This year is leaning toward warm, A good bit of October has been in the 60s, but it could also start snowing next week.

Do your best to figure out how they’re getting in and block them. Not easy with an older house.

Poison is not a good solution for a few reasons, one of which is mice dying in your walls. While the stench passes in time, it is truly awful.

We used small non-lethal traps and never got new visitors. And we were super clean about food.

Cascades in Worcester?

We'll -- and by we I mean those people over there, not me -- will try.

Not likely to work though.

Could change to < shrug >.

Rockport is easy to get to by train and has off-season charm.

Not about the turkey, but a tip — don’t try to do it all yourself. Get other people to make/bring things. Plan out a timetable to use your stove oven to cook or rewarm dishes.

Turkey is boring, IMO, but I love all the sides. Add something from your home if it makes you happy. Coworkers made a tandoori turkey and I always hoped for an invite! :-)