Ask Candid Candace: Chicago’s holiday activities can help readers get ‘into the spirit’

Dear Candid Candace: It is shameful to admit, but in my later years, I’ve found I have a hard time getting “into the spirit” for another holiday season. As you get older, time seems to fly by and it just seems like the holiday season comes around so quickly that it is hard to get in the spirit every year. Plus, I dread shopping for gifts, never knowing what to get. Any suggestions for improving my holiday spirit?

—Dreading December

Dear Dreading December: There is nothing shameful about having a hard time “getting up” for the holidays. With the state of the world now, many of us aren’t feeling the holiday love just yet either. My suggestion to you would be to visit some of the many wonderful holiday experiences this city has to offer—Macy’s State Street, where Santa has returned this year in all his glory; the Museum of Science and Industry’s “Christmas Around the World” and “Holidays of Light” exhibits; the Christkindlmarkets; “Twas the Night Before” at the Chicago Theatre; the Botanic Garden’s “Lightscape"; the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo and so many more. As far as shopping for gifts, perusing catalogs online makes it easy to get inspired and you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your easy chair!

Dear Candid Candace: It’s party season and I notice in Chicago Star that so many great-looking women wear heels. I have a problem in that I’m older and just can’t do it anymore. Do you have some suggestions for those of us who feel more comfortable in flats? What type of fashion would work best with these lower heels?

—High Heel Help

Dear High Heel Help: I feel your pain, literally. Since a recent accident, I haven’t been able to wear (true) high heels either. But, the good news is that there are ways around this without giving up. Stacked heels are always an option, but so many are “old lady-like” that you really have to hunt and peck to find a suitable pair. I did find luck with certain Pradas, which have a lower heel but also a cool edge that takes them out of the retirement home category. At Nordstrom’s recently, I struck “shoe gold” when I found a pair of Vince Camuto “Thanley” heels. The heels are inspired by the super-pricey Amina Muaddi’s, which have a larger heel base but are still slender on top, thus ensuring better balance while still looking fabulous. As for what to wear with these lower heel shapes, I suggest fitted ankle-length pants. I suspect, as the population ages, we will find many chic, user-friendly options becoming available.

Send questions to: CandidCandace@ ChicagoStarMedia.com. Follow Candid Candace (Candace Jordan) on Facebook, Insta, LinkedIn and Twitter.

(This article has been updated from the original on 12/12/23)