Holiday Wishbook 2022

holiday wishbook

Movies that are perfect for families this holiday season

Various traditions take center stage during the holiday season. One of those traditions may be sitting down and enjoying any of a number of timeless Christmas movies or even newer holiday films that are quickly becoming favorites.

Film fans have their own ideas about the best films to watch during the holidays, but the following movies are some kids and adults can enjoy together.

The Polar Express (2004)

A young boy enjoys a magical adventure to the North Pole aboard the Polar Express train. He learns about the true spirit of the holidays and the value of bravery and friendship along the way.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Charles Dickens’ classic story about a bitter miser might be a little frightening for young children to enjoy in its more theatrical offerings. However, when the Muppet characters tell their version of the classic tale, the story becomes much more family-friendly.

A Boy Called Christmas (2021)

Based on the book by Matt Haig, this movie is a reimagined take on Father Christmas. It focuses on Nikolas as he goes on an adventure to find a magical town called Elfhelm.

Jack Frost (1998)

When a father dies in a car accident, he comes back to life as a snowman in his son’s front yard. Jack learns to keep his promises and make things right with his son — things he wasn’t capable of doing as a human.

Christmas with the Kranks (2004)

The Kranks decide to forgo their annual Christmas party and plan a vacation since their daughter will be out of town. But when said daughter decides to come home after all, chaos sets in as the couple tries to figure out how to put together an extravaganza at the last minute.

Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)

The Beast does not favor the holiday season, so Belle must change his mind on the matter in this animated Disney offering.

Elf (2003)

As a youngster, Buddy was magically transported to the North Pole and raised by Santa’s elves. As an adult, he’s determined to find his real dad in New York City and uncover a way to fit in.

Santa Hunters (2014)

A young boy teams up with his sibling and cousins to try to capture new footage of Santa in action and prove that the man in red truly exists.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)

This is a newer take on the classic Nutcracker tale. This adventure sees Clara defending the Land of Sweets from the evil Mother Ginger.

Holiday films enhance the celebratory nature of the season. Certain movies are tailor-made for families to watch together during this special time of year.

8 easy holiday centerpiece ideas

The holiday season is a great time to make any home a bit more merry and bright. Most individuals let their personalities show through their home decor, and holiday decorating is just as per sonal as decorating throughout the rest of the year.

The main living areas of a home get the most decorating atten tion, with a Christmas tree or menorah taking a prominent po sition in the front window. Garlands, candles and other accou trements also may dress up spaces. However, when it comes to holiday hosting, attention also should be given to the dining table — which can benefit from a festive centerpiece.

Premade centerpieces are undeniably attractive, but adding a homespun touch can be a fun creative pursuit and become a family tradition. Explore these eight simple ideas to dress up your holiday table.

1. Frosted pine cones: Take advantage of a crisp winter’s day to venture into a forest or park that is rich with evergreen trees. Gather pine cones from the forest floor and, if possible, a few evergreen boughs. Give the pine cones a touch of winter whimsy with a little faux snow in a can or even white paint. Nestle the boughs and pine cones into a wide-mouthed vase or bowl in the center of the table. Individual pine cones can later be turned into place cards for seating guests.

2. Holiday thanks: Cut many strips of paper roughly 6 inches in length from various colored pieces of paper to match the holiday theme. When guests arrive, ask them to write a favorite holiday memory or two, or what they’re thankful for. Twirl the paper strips around a pencil to curl them, and then place the curlicues into a decorative bowl in the center of the table. Later in the evening, the host or hostess can read some of the sentiments.

3. Magical forest: Use green and silver conical party hats to turn a table or sideboard into a veritable evergreen forest. Arrange them on a blanket of faux snow or white confetti.

4. Freshly cut: Select attractive flowers in vibrant holiday hues from a florist or even the supermarket floral section. Cut the stems and place them into an unusual display container, such as holiday themed mugs or a punch bowl.

5. Glass baubles: Who says ornaments should be exclusive to the tree? A crystal or glass cake stand can be transformed into an icy delight when topped with silver and clear glass ornaments.

6. Birch wood: The crisp white coloring of birch bark is right at home with holiday decor. Go stark with pieces of the cut wood in varying heights intermingled with white candles that mimic the shapes and scale of the wood.

7. Fruit and vegetables: If guests are coming over and the race is on for a fast centerpiece, look no further than the kitchen. Lemons, artichokes, pears, or pomegranates look festive in a bowl interspersed with some greenery and baby’s breath.

8. Cornucopia: The horn of plenty can be customized to any holiday. Purchase a horn in wicker or woven grapevine and fill with flowers, fruit and greenery, or even painted gourds or miniature pumpkins.

Holiday hosts and hostesses should not neglect the dining table when they decorate. Festive centerpieces can be handmade without much effort on the part of hosts.

Craft an entire day around tree shopping

Though retailers may begin playing holiday tunes shortly after Halloween, for many people, no date on the calendar marks the beginning of the holiday season better than the day they pick up their Christmas tree.

There are many different ways to acquire a Christmas tree. Some people prefer artificial Christmas trees that can be stored and taken out each year. Others make a yearly expedition to a tree lot or a Christmas tree farm to find the perfect fir or spruce. Historians believe a man named W.V. McGallard planted 25,000 Norway spruce seedlings at his Mercer County, New Jersey farm in 1901, essentially establishing the first commercial Christmas tree farm. By 1908, customers could visit the farm and choose trees for $1 each. McGallard helped create an entirely new industry that now accounts for 350 million trees being grown and sold in the United States every year.

Selecting a Christmas tree may not take more than an hour or two, but there are ways for families and other tree shoppers to maximize their time spent looking for a tree.

Bring refreshments

Couple Christmas tree shopping with picnicking if the weather is amenable. Pack some foldable chairs into the vehicle (sitting on the ground on a blanket may be too cold) and bring along thermoses of coffee or hot cocoa. Snacks like granola bars, Christmas cookies or other filling treats can keep everyone satisfied and energized while they shop for a tree.

Pair tree shopping with a trip to see lighting displays

Find the tree lot or tree farm and then scope out potentially scenic spots to view holiday lighting displays nearby. Neighborhood Facebook or other social media groups often tout homes that put up eye-catching displays. Ask around for addresses and plan your own tours.

Plan a night out. Everyone may be tired and hungry after a long day of Christmas tree hunting. Plus, it’s typically a good idea to wait some time for boughs to open before decorating. Use this opportunity to dine out and return home ready to decorate. Make it a regular occurrence that Christmas tree shopping is followed by a family meal at a favorite restaurant.

Watch a classic film. Many different holiday movies are broadcast this time of year and each enhances the Christmas spirit. While putting up the tree, play a favorite film in the background. What better way to enjoy decorating your own tree than by watching Charlie Brown adorn his meager evergreen at the same time?

Make a day of selecting and putting up the Christmas tree each year. Doing so can enhance the holidays and make for an entertaining way to spend time together as a couple or family.

Snowman Ornament

supplies needed:

• Acrylic Paint in White, Black and Orange

• Paint Brush

• Baby Food Jar or other jar (you can get them in the glass section at Hobby Lobby or other craft stores)

• Ribbon

Instructions:

Paint your jar with your white acrylic paint. It’s going to take about 4 coats to cover it if you want it really white, and you have to let it dry in between, so be ready to be a little patient. Paint the lid of the jar with your black acrylic paint. This won’t take quite as many coats-maybe just two to cover it completely.

Once your jar and lid are totally dry, paint your face on your jar. Dip the back of your paintbrush into your black paint to create the eyes and mouth on your snowman. Practice on paper first to get the exact look you want.

Paint that cute little face on your jar using your white, black and orange acrylic paint.

Then, grab your lid. Use a hammer to put a nail right through the top center:

Pull the nail out and now you should have a hole in your lid. Cute a piece of ribbon about 6 inches long. Poke both ends of the ribbon through and tie a knot on the underside:

Now your lid will dangle from a loop of ribbon:

Screw your lid back onto your jar and you’ve got yourself a cute little snowman ornament for Christmas!

sugar cookie martini

From: wholefully.com

YIELD: 1 COCKTAIL

PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES | TOTAL TIME: 5 MINUTES

A Sugar Cookie Martini is a festive Christmas cocktail that tastes like a delicious Christmas cookie with a kick! Serve these at your next holiday party.

Ingredients:

• Vanilla frosting and sprinkles, for rimming the glass

• 1 1/2 ounce vanilla vodka

• 1 1/2 ounces Irish cream

Instructions:

• 2 ounces whole milk

• 1 ounce amaretto

• 1 tsp powdered sugar

• Ice

1. Spread the frosting along the rim of a martini glass (you can also dip it into the frosting, if you prefer). Pour the sprinkles into a shallow dish or saucer, and dip the frosting-covered glass into the sprinkles. Set glass aside.

2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the vanilla vodka, Irish cream, milk, amaretto, powdered sugar, and ice. Close lid and shake for at least 15 seconds to mix and chill.

3. Pour into the prepared glass. Serve immediately.

Notes:

If you choose not to rim the martini glass with frosting, add an extra teaspoon of powdered sugar to the cocktail.

SHOP LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Finding Local Businesses

Your television, social media feed and junk mail is likely filled with advertisements for big box stores and national chains. Information about them is easy to access and research is easy.

Learning about local businesses, what they offer and the quality of their services can be a bit more challenging, but it’s an important part of being a local shopper who contributes to the financial health of your community.

Go Explore

One boon to local shopping is the healthy benefits of getting out and walking rather than just shopping from your computer. Money Crashers suggests that people who want to learn more about small businesses in their community should set aside a day to go exploring in their own town. They recommend doing it on foot or riding a bike.

The website DiscoveryMap.com creates illustrated maps of many towns. You can call up a colorful map on your phone and tablet and use it to find places to stay, eat, shop and entertain yourself.

Another place to get local maps is your local chamber of commerce. They may have maps or even shopping guides. Make them the first stop on your expedition.

Take note of stores you find. Visit them and talk to the people who work there. Ask how long they’ve been in the community and what they do best.

Helpful Phone Apps

Your phone can be a helpful tool when it comes to trying to learn about local businesses. There are many apps offering a variety of services. Most will provide you with basic information such as operating hours, addresses, phone numbers and website addresses.

Consider using some of these:

• Google Maps. While it won’t sort local from national shops, it will make lists of businesses in your community and help you find what stores are where. You can use it to search for exactly what you are looking for and then read reviews of the stores you are considering shopping at.

• Facebook. Search for “local small businesses” and see what groups pop up. If you can find one with business owners, it can be a great way to interact directly with them, asking the questions you have or seeing what other local shoppers have to say.

• Nextdoor. This social media app can help you find small businesses and inform you what your neighbors think of them. It also has a businesses tab where you can find local deals and information about nearby businesses.

• Yelp. With consumer reviews, Yelp is a way to start your research of a local business. What have other people experienced there? What do your neighbors love? Hate? Yelp will tell you.

How to Host a Hot Chocolate Bar Party + The Most Luxurious Hot Chocolate

From: littlespicejar.com

It’s the most wonderful time of the year -- Hot Chocolate season! Let’s talk about how to throw a hot chocolate bar party with everything that you need and a recipe for the most luxurious hot chocolate that requires you to just toss everything into the slow cooker! Spread that holiday cheer!

Ingredients

• ¼ cup cocoa powder

• ½ cup hot water

• 20 ounces chopped semi-sweet chocolate

• 10 cups whole milk (or 2%)

• 2 ½ cups heavy cream

• 1 (12 ounces) can evaporated milk (not fat-free)

• ½ cup sugar (optional)

• ¼ teaspoon salt

toppings:

• marshmallows, toffee bits, coarse sea salt, mini chocolate chips, crushed peppermints, candy canes, soft peppermint sticks, whoppers, Lindt truffles, pirouette cookies, whipped cream, dark chocolate syrup, caramel sauce + whatever else you fancy

Instructions:

1. Start by adding the cocoa powder to a bowl, pour in the hot water, and whisk until mixed.

2. Add the cocoa mixture along with the chopped chocolate, milk, heavy cream, evaporated milk, and salt to a 6-quart slow cooker or larger. If you’re serving this with a hot chocolate bar and toppings, consider leaving out the sugar to avoid the hot chocolate being too sweet. If you’re serving the hot chocolate solo, add in the sugar.

3. Cook the hot chocolate on the high setting for 3-4 hours or on low for 6 hours. Low for 6 hours is preferred. Make sure to stir the hot chocolate every hour to keep the chocolate from settling to the bottom.

4. Keep on the warm setting if you’re serving it hot chocolate bar style with toppings on the side. Leftover hot chocolate can be refrigerated for up to one week and warmed in the microwave before serving.

MAKES 15-18 CUPS

NOTE: Once the hot chocolate cooks, you want to try and serve this within 1 hour. After making it several more times, if you let it sit for too long, and your slow cooker runs hot, you run the risk of it curdling the cream or the HC sticking to the bottom.

Did you know?

Consumers may readily recognize Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the holiday shopping lexicon. But what about Super Saturday? Super Saturday, sometimes called “Panic Saturday,” refers to the final Saturday before Christmas. This can be a big day for retailers. Super Saturday deals tend to target last-minute shoppers who wait until the very end to make the majority of their purchases or pick up those final gifts.

Super Saturday 2022 occurs on December 17.

Simple ways to involve kids in holiday decorating

Millions of people across the globe feel that the holiday season is a magical time of year. Though those people come from all walks of life, it’s likely that no group is as taken by the unique spirit of the holiday season as much as children.

Whether they’re looking forward to Santa’s arrival or preparing for a school holiday pageant, kids have much to be excited about come December. Parents can channel that enthusiasm by involving kids when decorating around the house this holiday season.

Make homemade ornaments. The options are limitless when making holiday ornaments with children. From simple ornaments made from pine cones picked up outside to more complex projects designed for children nearing adolescence, parents can look to the internet to find design ideas and directions for hundreds of ornaments.

Let kids lead the way when decorating the tree. Families that celebrate Christmas can let kids lead the way when decorating their Christmas tree. Kids are likely to spend the weeks leading up to Santa’s arrival gazing in awe at the tree, and knowing they decided where to place the various ornaments on it might make the season even more special for youngsters.

Take kids along when choosing lawn ornaments. It’s not safe to involve children when installing lighting displays, but kids will get a kick out of choosing inflatable lawn decorations and other items to place around the yard. Take kids along when buying new items and then seek their input when placing Frosty, Santa and his reindeer friends around the yard.

Include kids in culinary decor. Many celebrants cannot imagine a holiday season without gingerbread houses and cookies. These traditions provide another great opportunity to involve children in holiday decorating. Set aside some time to make homemade gingerbread houses, which can be used as decorations before they’re ultimately eaten.

Cookies may not have the shelf life of a typical gin gerbread house, but kids can pitch in and decorate cookies prior to a holiday party or family meal.

The spirit of the holiday season can be seen on the faces of children each December. In viting kids to pitch in when decorating for the holidays can make the season even more special for its youngest celebrants.

SHOP LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS

boost Local Businesses

Shopping local is all about community. It’s about living in your community, making your community better and healthier, supporting your neighbors.

It’s something that is much bigger than just deciding where you are going to buy your toothpaste. It’s about being a part of your community, your town and your region. It’s why being a local shopper also means being a local storyteller.

When you tell the stories of your experiences shopping locally, you don’t just help the small businesses you bought from. You also help others around you become more savvy local shoppers and spread the movement beyond yourself.

Share your Stories

McKinsey & Co. studied the inclusive consumer in 2021-22. Inclusive consumers are those who are more likely to shop local and who are more likely to shop businesses owned by under-represented communities.

One of the things they said in their report was that inclusive consumers -- local shoppers -- want to know the stories of those who own or found the businesses. They want to know what the owner’s mission is. They’re far more likely to visit a business if there are stories that interest them.

While it is the job of a business to tell their stories, you can help to spread the word. Did you have a unique experience at a store? Did you connect with an owner or a manager who was

able to customize their offerings for you? Share that story. Tell it to your friends. Post about it on social media. Write a letter to your local newspaper. Call into a local radio show. Email the business itself to give them an opportunity to use your words as a testimonial.

Leave Reviews

Real consumer reviews that go beyond a thumbs up or thumbs down can do a lot for a local business. When you’ve had a good experience (or even when you’ve had a bad experience), leave a detailed, honest and fair review.

Keep in mind that you’re not just helping local businesses, you are also helping others become local shoppers. It’s why it is important that your reviews are authentic.

Pictures Paint 1,000 Words

You don’t even have to use a lot of words in order to spread the word. Few people are ever without a camera because of the popularity of smartphones. Did you score an awesome find at a local store? Take a picture. Take a selfie with a local artisan. Make a TikTok video of you and your date enjoying a local meal.

Post those pictures and videos on your social media and tag the pages of the businesses where you took the pictures. Local shoppers like you get a lot of their information from Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Help to provide the answers they need.

shop at Local Holiday Events

Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be a chore. In fact, depending on where you go, it can be an exciting experience that creates memories or becomes part of your family’s traditions.

Check out local shopping events ranging from fairs to festivals to traditional Christmas markets featuring the work of local artisans.

Arts and Craft Fairs

Creative crafters and fine artists in your community have likely spent the year creating items that they offer at art shows and craft fairs in the months leading up to the holiday season. It’s a great way to purchase unique gifts while supporting individuals in your community.

Check out sites like FairsandFestivals.net, where you can search for art fairs and craft shows within a certain mile radius of your home or browse by state.

Before you go, check out the fair’s website and see what vendors will be there. Many will have Instagram pages and you can plan your shopping and pick out gifts. If you want to go when it is a little slower and you can talk to vendors and perhaps discuss custom work, the afternoons are usually less crammed.

Take both cash and credit cards. While most vendors will take credit cards, sometimes a venue has limited WiFi access that can make processing those cards slow.

Also, this isn’t the place to haggle. Think of them as more of a pop-up retail store than a garage sale

Holiday Festivals

Holiday festivals — either indoor or outdoor — often combine many elements of the season. They may incorporate parades, lights, family activities, music and, of course, shopping. It’s the sort of shopping that can be a fun activity for the whole family as you can include such things as a visit to Santa or a chance to ice skate.

Yes, you might have to get sneaky about some of your purchases and hide them from the intended recipient, but it can also be fun to see exactly what they are most interested in.

Christmas Markets

Christmas markets started out as a German tradition during the Middle Ages, according to National Geographic.

Downtown squares get turned into holiday extravaganzas with lights, bunting and vendors selling holiday decor such as ornaments or Nativity scene figurines. Holiday treats and drinks are sold in the streets and carolers or piped-in music keeps things festive.

In non-pandemic years, Germany alone has 2,500 to 3,000 Christmas markets, says National Geographic.

Thankfully for the rest of us, the tradition has spread not only throughout Europe but to the United States.

If there is a Christmas market near you, it is a great way to shop local and purchase your holiday decor and gifts while enjoying an old, cultural tradition.

gift local experiences

Too often, stuff ends up in landfills because people don’t have room or use for them. So, when you are thinking about holiday presents, consider gifting a local experience.

It will give the recipient memories of a great time while also supporting people in your local community.

Art, Music and Theater

After two years of in-person performing arts being closed down, arts organizations are back and eager to welcome audiences back into their spaces. Many of them are creating special packages with built-in flexibility or offer holiday gift packages.

Check out your local symphony, community band, art collective, dance troupe, opera house or community, regional or touring house theaters. Buy tickets to a single performance or season flex tickets.

Consider creating a package that caters to the unique interests of the people on your gift list. For example, if your sister enjoys stand-up comedy, consider getting her two tickets to a local comedy club with a gift certificate to a nearby restaurant.

Sporting Events

While the holidays feature big national games, you can bring some delight to sports fans by purchasing them tickets to local games. Whether it is a nearby college, a minor league baseball team, the local hockey team, find out who is playing what in your community. There may also be such things as pickleball tournaments or a golf tournament at a local course.

Put together a package that includes game tickets, some team swag or even signed memorabilia from local stars.

Museums and Landmarks

What is your town known for? Was it the site of a historical Civil War battle? Does it have a museum of something unusual? Is there unique architecture or home tours? Often people living near tourist attractions or the home to special events and festivals never get the chance to visit them.

Consider gifting people on your list passes to a museum, a state park or a historical museum. If there is a major festival — whether a music festival or an ode to turkey gizzards — buy them tickets or create a coupon promising to go with them.

Curated Experiences

Perhaps you want to give something a little different, something unusual or adventurous. Travel agencies and organizations put together curated local experiences. They can make great gifts for those who want to be a tourist in their own town.

The website “Let’s Roam” offers scavenger hunts, ghost hunts and bar crawls in a variety of communities. City Hunt will create custom scavenger hunts in your town that can be themed to holidays or many other events. Have them create a hunt that you can give to everyone local on your list.

Or, if you know your community well, curate unique experiences yourself as gifts. Organize a personal cooking class with a local chef, schedule a photo-shoot at iconic local settings with a local photographer, arrange for a local stylist to provide a beauty consultation or makeover, or hire a journalist from your local newspaper to interview your gift recipient and create a memory book.