As 2012 comes to a close and we panic to complete last minute holiday shopping, party planning, and mental preparation for enduring the inevitable familial snafu, let us remember that no matter how broke, stuffed, hung-over, or disowned we may be, the first of January is just around the corner and with it a chance to start anew in 2013. Here are a few suggestions to keep you rocking through the rest of the year.

By Kathleen Burke.

Holiday Flea Market and Bloody Mary Bash. AT TT The Bear’s, Cambridge, MA, December 9, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free.

Imagine this in a 24-hour period: a “Bad Santa,” “Mega Monster Bloody Mary’s,” DJ Mike the Considerate spinning rock and soul tunes, and vendors offering a “killer mix of vintage, modern, handmade items, jewelry, rock memorabilia, vinyl and kitschy-kool collectables.” The dream is a reality—the Holiday Flea Market and Bloody Mary Bash at TT’s sounds like pretty much the best day ever. It’s also a chance to purchase some locally produced gifts for your loved ones (Read: Yourself). And, it’s FREE! Did I mention there will be hot dogs? God bless us everyone! Check out the Facebook Invite if you are interested in becoming a vendor.

Robby Krieger’s Jazz Kitchen. At the Met, Pawtucket, RI, December 13, doors open at 8 p.m.,  all ages, $20 in advance, $25 day of.

In case you live under a rock, or are just so young that you think Radiohead is classic rock (sigh, getting older . . .) I will tell you now that Robby Krieger is the famed guitarist and songwriter from 60’s, LA acid-hounds The Doors. His current band, Robby Krieger’s Jazz Kitchen plays this month in Pawtucket, Rhode Island at The Met and features a bit of an all-star lineup including members from Frank Zappa and Chick Corea’s bands, respectively, and members from the band Chicago. A couple of years back, I saw Krieger perform with Ray Manzarek and John Densmore as The Doors at the Wilbur Theater in Boston, and I can attest that Krieger is still just as sharp and skillful a guitarist as ever. No word on if he will be performing with a head full of acid, but a girl can dream.

The Force 4th Annual Christmas Spectacular. At the Middle East, Cambridge, MA, December 14, doors at 8 p.m.,   18+, $10.

This 4th Annual Spectacular promises to be more satisfying than opening your favorite window in an advent calendar. The combined antics of The Force and Das Muerte will make for an unpredictable and most likely intoxicated evening full of big hair, big guitars, and as much heavy rock as you can fit in a stocking. Also playing are Ichabod, Mammothor, and the aptly named Frostbite. Pick up advanced tickets for this metal show here.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Hometown Throwdown 15. Presented by RadioBDC. At House of Blues, Boston, MA, December 29, 30, and 31, $25-$35. (Check their website for additional information)

Wow, the fifteenth year of the Bosstones Throwdown!?! Amazing! In what has come to be one of, if not the biggest rock event of the year in Boston, the Hometown Throwdown is an absolute must this holiday season. Presented by Radio BDC at The House of Blues in Boston, the 2012 Hometown Throwdown will feature The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (natch) Bouncing Souls, Dogmatics, Big D and the Kid’s Table, and a reunion appearance by Amazing Royal Crowns. Check out a Dicky Barrett interview and a chance to win tickets here. Tickets will most likely sell out for all three nights, so get moving!