We know how difficult holidays can be, so mediabistro threw a "Holiday Survival Party" for our editorial staff friends in New York. We gathered at a new lounge, Stone Creek, to brace ourselves for too much sweet food, boisterous neighbors, and meddling in-laws. Our friends at Hundreds of Heads Books co-hosted the event, chatting with guests from The New York Times, Soap Opera Digest, McGraw-Hill, Variety, Reader's Digest, Cigar Aficionado, and The New Yorker.

At Stone Creek, December 6, 2005

Photos by Joseph Silva

mb hostess Jessica Seigel

Kensington senior editor Jeremie Ruby-Strauss, The New York Times deputy director of new design Alan Robertazzi, and Simon & Schuster editor Helena Santini

Soap Opera Digest features writer Elaine G. Flores and Reader's Digest editorial assistant Michael Kubica

McGraw-Hill editor Samantha Moller, McGraw-Hill editor Linda Saucerman, Macmillan and McGraw-Hill project editor A. Tom Galistis, McGraw-Hill editor Swaha Devi, and Emily Hart

Variety reporter Zachary Pincus-Roth and Riverside editor Jeffery Klier

H.W. Wilson assistant editor Patricia Mullenax and H.W. Wilson indexer Stewart Both

Reader's Digest health director Julie Bain and Reader's Digest senior staff editor Jody Rohlena

Daily Record reporter Tim O'Reilly, Cigar Aficianado copy chief and senior editor Bruce Goldman

David Stewart and The New Yorker editorial assistant Laurel Maury

Jeremie Ruby-Strauss and Norwood Bulletin columnist Noelle Ashley

"How to Survive..." series

The New York Times staff editor Daniel Gold, Noelle Ashley, and Alan Robertazzi

Elaine G. Flores and TVGuide.com's David Flores