As we look forward to 1964 / 2026, the characters from Mad Men, Season 3 have some resolutions to share.

'Tis the season for holiday visits with family, and if you're dreading awkward social interactions with some of your relatives, we've pulled together a collection of Mad Men-inspired modern recipes for entertaining, and to remind you that things could always be worse!

Hearts of Palm Salad, inspired by Trudy and Pete
When you return home after a vacation with your parents and your husband's wearing a sick expression and won't meet your eyes, this is a light, refreshing option for the next day, when you try to pretend like he's not a philandering weasel.

Birthday Cupcakes, inspired by Don Draper
When your husband dislikes family functions so much that he picks up your daughter's birthday cake and never brings it back, here are some alternatives, just in case nobody has a spare Sara Lee in the freezer.

When life throws a lot at you, at least you're not Pete Campbell. We invite you to play along with 31 days of doing the opposite of whatever Pete might do. Share your successes and anecdotes with this challenge in the comments. Let's celebrate decency - the king orders it!

Day 1: Give a compliment without expecting anything in return.
Day 2: Refrain from telling anyone they're bad at math
Day 3: Ride public transportation without a fistfight.
Day 4: Don't insult any administrative assistants.
Day 5: Don't throw your dinner off the balcony.
Day 6: Talk to someone without trying to take credit for anything.
Day 7: Don't punch any school administrators.
Day 8: Don't manipulate a loved one to try to get your work published.
Day 9: Don't steal anything from your colleague's trash.
Day 10: Avoid blackmailing a co-worker about his past.

Doing okay so far? Well-done, you! Keep it up!

Day 11: Call or visit family without asking them for money.
Day 12: Have a genuine conversation with a new co-worker.
Day 13: Don't put a beer bottle in the center of a newly frosted cake.
Day 14: Don't pretend you can drive a standard transmission if you can.
Day 15: Hang up your damn coat.
Day 16: Give someone candy without eating any yourself.
Day 17: Respect women. This includes women you are married to, women you work with, women who live in your building, women who live in your neighborhood, and potential clients.
Day 18: Call a plumber if you don't know how to fix the dripping faucet.
Day 19: Don't share your hunting fantasies with subordinates.
Day 20: Don't make false leadership claims about the Howdy Doody Circus Army.

Time to check-in . . . are you opposite of Pete Campbell? Keep going!

Day 21: Don't share compromising information about your father-in-law.
Day 22: Tread safely down your work staircase.
Day 23: Don't be unduly impressed when coleslaw is right on the sandwich.
Day 24: Don't ask to meet the manager of the republic of dresses.
Day 25: Carry skis out of the boss's office with style.
Day 26: Keep calm about your peanut butter cookie problems.
Day 27: Make sure you have toilet paper (lest you become dependent on someone who isn't trustworthy. That would be . . . not great).
Day 28: Don't brag about your stock shares - keep that glee to socially appropriate levels.
Day 29: Don't cheap out on the investigation of your mother's disappearance, even if "she loved the sea."
Day 30: Avoid flirting with teens in your driver's ed class, especially if you are an adult.
Day 31: Actually use your Chip & Dip. Or at least, enjoy some chip and dip.

Congratulations on being better than Pete Campbell! A thing like that!

Want the podcast episode where you might actually feel sorry for Pete? S1E4: New Amsterdam is a good choice.
Want to see Pete in an epic showdown with Don Draper? S1E12: Nixon vs. Kennedy is the way to go.

As we near the end of Season One, we've captured some of the memorable insults from the first thirteen episodes. Which are your favorites?

Our Season One Mad Men C to Z finale podcast is on the way. For now, here's a look at the romantic relationships (some - not so much) across the first season. Don't miss the first thirteen podcast episodes for Season One!

It happens. Sometimes you get to the end of the seventh season of Mad Men and you're looking for something different. So you try a new show, and it feels hollow because the gap between the writing in Mad Men and the writing in the new show is too big. You might decide to re-watch Mad Men again (and we support that)! However, if you are looking for something good and new-to-you, we've pulled together a few of our recommendations.

Of course we like shows like The Office, Schitt's Creek, Ted Lasso, The Princess Bride, Breaking Bad, and The Sopranos, but those are such huge hits they don't need any amplification from us. We decided to include titles that modern audiences might not know, especially shows that are near and dear to us.

When we were thinking about some of our favorite shows, we had to acknowledge we're old, and we're owning it. But we still think they hold up and have value, even if nothing is quite like Mad Men.
Here's the short list - see details below.

Steve & Jenna's Choices:
The Wire, Lonesome Dove, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Jenna's Choices:
Never Have I Ever, What Dreams May Come, Juno

Steve's Choices:
High Noon, Lawrence of Arabia, Snatch

We have eclectic tastes over here at Mad Men C to Z, so while the subset of people who immerse themselves in both Mad Men and Animal Crossing, New Horizons might be limited to a few dozen, we're here for it (and by "we," we mean Jenna).

So please enjoy what the world didn't know it needed - Mad Men characters and their ACNH counterparts:

If you haven't tried Animal Crossing: New Horizons, it's a comfort game that feeds your inner collector or designer. I don't love spammy pop-up videos, but Polygon does have a guide for almost every ACNH question if you're a beginner or intermediate player.

Which Mad Men/ACNH match is your favorite?