The gift of partying
You don't have to wait for New Year's Eve to get all drunk, sweaty, and happy
BY CHRISTINE WALSH

Thanks to the ingenious marketing minds behind fine retail establishments everywhere, the holiday season now starts on November 1. But while many lament the loss of, say, fall, others look at the bright side: a longer holiday season means more time to chug eggnog and nosh on matzo balls, and even more excuses to go out on random weeknights.

In with the hot
Forget the scarf and hat. Grab some lingerie and get freaky at Axis's Merry XXXmas Ball. The adventure will include DJs spinning, sexy models posing for sizzling photo shoots, and beloved board games with a sexy new twist. The currency of the night is condoms. The person with the most rubbers at the end wins a fabulous prize. Needless to say, this is not your grandmother's holiday get-together.

Merry XXXmas Ball | December 8 | Axis, 15 Lansdowne Street, Boston | 617.262.2424 | $10 to get in; $5 if you arrive in a naughty negligee | www.avalonboston.com

More than three wise men
The Tribe got so many readers' votes in the Phoenix's latest Best issue, they must be doing something right. An eclectic group of improv artists and comedians, the Tribe will be pulling back the curtain on their recently refurbished home in Boston's Theater District. They've partnered with the United Way of Massachusetts Bay for this event, so you'll sleep easily knowing you were helping a great charity while laughing your ass off to the short comedic play, It's a Wonderful Knife.

Tribe Theater's Launch and Charity Fundraiser | December 9; doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 8 pm | The Tribe Theater, 67 Stuart Street, Boston | 617.510.4447 | $10 in advance, $15 at the door | www.tribeboston.com

December rain
Even the fat guy in the red suit needs help from time to time. So instead of hanging around with short, pointy-eared freaks, Santa has decided to visit Tequila Rain in search of some hot little helpers. There's only one goal - besides cornering a hottie beneath the mistletoe - and that's dressing up as Santa's naughtiest elf. Dance with Saint Nick all night long, but if you're the lucky winner, don't be surprised if he asks you to sit on his lap.

Tequila Rain Holiday Party | December 16 | 9pm | Tequila Rain, 3 Lansdowne Street, Boston | 617.437.0300 | www.tequilarainboston.com

The best of all
For 19 holiday seasons, the Matzo Ball has been the place to be on December 24. Put on by the Society of Young Jewish Professionals, the ball typically attracts more than a 1500 revelers and is regarded as one of the best party nights in Boston (as well as Boca Raton, Miami, New York, Washington, DC, and Philly). The society's other shindig, the Big Chill (which caters to the 25-49 crowd), will be held on the same night at the Roxy.

Matzo Ball | December 24 | 8pm | 18+ | Avalon, 15 Lansdowne Street, Boston | 617.262.2424 | $25 | www.avalonboston.com Big Chill | December 24 | 8pm | 25+ | Roxy, 2790 Tremont Street, Boston | $25 | For more information, call Andrew at 617.421.0813 or e-mail info@matzoball.org

Jump 'n' jive
Jon Favreau, Heather Graham, and that damn Gap commercial did much to revive swing dancing. But that was nine years ago. If you didn't indulge in any lessons back then, now might be the time. On December 23, Boston's finest swing-dance instructors will offer a free beginner's lesson in Swing and Lindy Hop Basics at 7:30 pm, before the joint starts to jive for real.

Swing City | December 23 | 688 Huron Avenue, Cambridge | 617.566.7111 | $10 or $8 with a student ID | www.wannadance.com