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The Bookworm Sez… Holiday Gift Guide
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
So you looked at the calendar the other day and... eeeek. You’re not very far away at all to the holidays and you’re way, too, uncomfortably far away from having everything ready. At the top of your list is fulfilling your Gift List, but you’re out of ideas and now what? How about a book? How about one of these great books....
Fiction
For the reader who loves a good comedy, “The Best Way to Bury Your Husband” by Alexia Casale (Penguin, $18.00) is perfect. It’s the story of four women and one same old story: their husbands have been jerks and it’s time to take matters into their own hands. Pair it with “How to Solve Your Own Murder” by Kristen Perrin (Dutton, $28), another fine mystery that’ll keep your giftee perfectly entertained. If there’s someone on your list who loves a good novel with a healthy dose of drama, you can’t go wrong with “Very Bad Company” by Emma Rosenblum (Flatiron Books, $28.99), the story of a group of high-level,
high-money executives on retreat in Florida. What could go wrong, right? Turns out, plenty...Wrap it up with “The Divorcees” by Rowan Beaird (Flatiron Books, $28.99), a novel set in a midcentury Reno divorce ranch. That thriller-lover on your gift list will be easy to satisfy when you give “She’s Not Sorry” by Mary Kubica (Park Row Books, $30.00), a story of an ICU nurse, a suicidal-now-comatose patient, and secrets that come to light about an almost-deadly accident that was (maybe) no accident. Wrap it up with “Heads Will Roll” by Josh Winning (Putnam, $30.00), a novel of a dumb mistake at work made by an actor who’s sent away to deal with her demons. Sometimes, though, the demons are real...
Your vampire lover will want to bite into “So Thirsty” by Rachel Harrison (Berkley, $29.00), a mystery of best friends and secrets with unexpected consequences. Wrap it up with “Tiny Threads” by Lilliam Rivera (Del Ray, $28.00), a novel of a fashionista and a dream job that turns out to be, well, from you-know-where... Is there a reader on your list who loves complicated family dramas? Then
“April May June July” by Alison B. Hart (Graydon House, $28.99) is the book to wrap. Siblings April, May, June, and brother July Barber are totally separate people with nothing in common, other than that they’re family. When their missing father resurfaces after more than a decade, the family wedding they’re all set to attend suddenly becomes so much more than a family wedding. Pair it up with “A Fire So Wild” by Sarah RuizGrossman (Harper, $25.99), the story of a wildfire in Berkeley, California, and a group of the city’s residents who must immediately reckon with the lives they’ve built there.
You don’t have to know a thing about St. Paul, Minnesota, to want to read “Mysterious Tales of Old St. Paul” by Larry Millett (University of Minnesota Press, $24.95). It’s a collection of whodunits set in the 1890s and features a character you’ll come to love. Wrap it up with “You’d Look Better as a Ghost” by Joanna Wallace (Penguin, $18.00), an LOL novel about a killer with an unusual gift: she sees people as ghosts, just before they become one. Also try “The Mesmerist” by Caroline Woods (Doubleday, $28.00), a book of magic based on a real story from the late 1800s.
For the person on your list who is a self-professed lover of Mark Twain’s
works, “Big Jim and the White Boy” by David F. Walker and Marcus Kwame Anderson (Ten Speed Graphic, $35.00) will be a welcome gift this season. It’s a re-imagining of the classic Twain tale, told in graphic-novel format. It’s great for collectors, and teens would love it, too.
Here’s an unusual sibling novel: “Pearly Everlasting” by Tammy Armstrong (HarperCollins, $28.99). It’s the story of a bear cub named Bruno, the human sister he was raised with, and the bond of love that overcomes everything when the bear goes missing. Wrap it up with “We’ll Prescribe You a Cat” by Syou Ishida (Berkley, $25.00), a cute novel about the “healing power” of cats. Lovers of short stories will enjoy unwrapping “Neighbors and Other Stories” by Diane Oliver (Grove Press, $27.00), a collection of tales about racism, Jim Crow, fear, prejudice, scandal, and more. Pair it with “Float Up, Sing Down” by Laird Hunt (Bloomsbury, $26,99), a collection about a single day in the life of folks in a small Indiana community. No doubt, there’s someone on your gift list who loves to be really, really scared and “Nightwatching” by Tracy Sierra may fit on your gift list. It’s a novel about a woman alone with her children during a blizzard, and an intruder who seems awfully, horrifyingly familiar...
cite the price of food and the cost of housing as their foremost concerns. More
than 90 percent of Americans say they are “very” or “somewhat” concerned about the cost of food and consumer goods. Average annual food-at-home prices were 5 percent higher in 2023 than in 2022, according to the USDA Economic Research Service. Inflation has been a key topic of discussion for much of the last three years. While data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates inflation continues to cool off from all-time highs, consumers are still anxious about how food prices are affecting their bottom lines and their holiday entertaining plans. According to Farmdoc
Replace a high-cost protein with a more affordable alternative. Sometimes a holiday
for pulling out all of the stops, and that may mean spending more on a special main dish. Rather than a luxury like beef tenderloin or prime rib roast, consider a less expensive dish, such as a pork tender-
an inexpensive item like rice, beans or an extra vegetable side dish into the meal so that plates can be filled with the less expensive
have had one holiday dinner idea in mind, once you see what the stores
around them. If you find a good deal several weeks away from the holi-
foods and fewer high-cost items. Shop the sales. Plan meals around a supermarket circular. While you may have had one holiday dinner idea in mind, once you see what the stores are putting on sale you can stock up on those items and build the dinner around them. If you find a good deal several weeks away from the holidays, buy the items and freeze them until they’re needed.
Buy generic or store brands. Chances are no one will notice if you use generic or store brand ingredients, which can be considerably cheaper than their brand-name counterparts. Many are even manufactured in the same facilities that produce the name
brand stuff.
Make an affordable drink. Alcohol costs can add up when you try to cater to everyone’s tastes and preferences. Make one or two bulk drinks, like a holiday punch or signature cocktail, so you can keep alcohol costs in check.
Stretch the snacks. Instead of a charcuterie board filled with expensive cheeses and meats, opt for dips and raw vegetables or a low-cost cheese ball made with cream cheese and herbs with crackers. Keep snacks to a minimum; otherwise, guests may fill up and then not have room for dinner.
Holiday hosts can embrace various strategies to save money on family meals this season.
Add a New Offering to Your Christmas Cookie Lineup
The holiday season doubles as cookie season. Indeed, there’s no shortage of baking opportunities in December. Various cookies make the rounds, and if you are tasked with bringing cookies to a function, you might be interested in something a little different.
“Santa’s Whiskers” likely get their name from the coconut on these cookies, which resemble Santa’s beard. Maraschino cherries add some jolly red to the cookies as well, making them perfect for Christmas. Try this recipe from “Butter, Flour, Sugar, Joy” (Sourcebooks) by Danielle Kartes. Santa’s Whiskers
20 to 24 cookies
Ingredients:
• 1 1⁄2 cups confectioner’s sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 12-ounce jar pitted maraschino cherries, strained and stemmed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
Directions:
In a stand mixer, with a hand mixer, or by hand, cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
Add the cherries, vanilla, almond extract, and salt. Mix thoroughly. Fold into the flour and mix until it forms a crumbly but moist dough.
Lay a 16-inch sheet of parchment paper onto the counter. Sprinkle 1 cup of the coconut in the center in a loose rectangle, making sure it does not reach the edge of the parchment. Place the cookie dough on top, flattening a bit with your fingers, and sprinkle the remaining coconut over the top of the dough.
Form the dough into a 12- to 14-inch log, about 3 inches thick. Evenly press the coconut around the log and roll to make the log an even cylinder.
Roll the parchment up with the dough inside and twist the ends. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice cookies in 1⁄4to 1⁄2-inch rounds, place on the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart, and bake 12 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool before serving. Store in an airtight container.
Be Mindful of Pets During the Holiday Season
The magic and wonder of the holiday season can be enthralling for people of all ages. There is so much to see and do during the holiday season, making it easy to forge lasting memories. With so much to do in December, life at home can sometimes feel a little hectic, especially for the family pet. Although the holidays can be exciting, the season can induce anxiety in pets. Pets like cats and dogs often thrive on routine and familiarity. Switch up that routine and various behavioral issues can arise, including having accidents in the home. Pets also may become more destructive, chewing or clawing at items to release pent-up tension and anxiety. Pet owners who want the season to be festive for their pets can consider the following strategies.
Gradually introduce new items. Gradually decorate living spaces so pets can grow acclimated to their newly decorated environs. Add a few pieces to rooms each day until you finally have all of your decorations out for display. This way pets can sniff around the decorations and realize they do not pose a
threat.
Keep familiar pet belongings. Try not to upset the apple cart too much in regard to pets’ cherished possessions. For example, do not move the dog bed from the living room and place the Christmas tree in its place. Pets need that familiarity and having some of their items with familiar smells can make for a smooth adjustment to holiday decorations.
Designate a pet-safe zone. If you will be inviting people over during the holidays, set aside a room for pets so they can be in relative quiet away from boisterous crowds. Locking pets away also helps prevent their escape from the home as guests come and go.
Secure the tree and other decorations. Pets are often curious about new things, and they may climb or paw at items to try to understand them better. Decorative items may end up being knocked over by curious pets. Secure the tree using a string and an anchor to the ceiling or wall like you might secure a large screen TV to prevent it from tipping over. Keep breakable ornaments and other trinkets behind display cases
or beyond the reach of pets. Discourage pets from using decorations as toys. Reprimand pets or move them away from holiday decor so they don’t get the idea that these items are now their toys.
Be careful with holiday foods. Holiday foods and desserts are rich and full of ingredients that may not be healthy for pets. Keep a secure lid on trash pails and remind holiday guests that pets should not be fed table scraps. Pets may need some time to adjust to the changes that come with holiday decorating and celebrating to keep them happy and safe.
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Gifts for Holiday Hosts
illions of people open their homes to relatives and friends each holiday season. Taking on the task of holiday host can be a labor of love, as it involves not only a commitment of time, but also a financial investment.
Lending Tree reported that 60 percent of Americans considering hosting holiday gatherings in 2023 expected to spend an average of $556 on their celebrations. Six-figure earners planned to spend even more, indicating they expected to spend $764 on holiday hosting.
Guests benefiting from holiday hosts’ hospitality can offer tokens of their appreciation upon arrival. The following are some great gifts to offer hosts this holiday season.
Beverage of choice: A bottle of wine or another spirit can be a great gift for holiday gatherings. Let hosts decide if they want to serve it with the meal or save it to enjoy at a later time.
Curated food basket: A guest can put
together a basket of different foods, including crackers, cheeses, jams, bread sticks, and other items that can be enjoyed as snacks or appetizers.
Holiday plant.: A poinsettia or Christmas cactus may be fitting this time of year, and a holiday host can enjoy seeing it grow during the season.
Kitchen tools or serving items: A beautiful olive wood serving platter or cutting board might be
appreciated, particularly if guests arrive with it covered in a charcuterie spread.
Scented candle: Hosts can set the mood and add to the ambiance of an entertaining space with lit, scented candles, which make for a great gift. Guests can inquire as to the hosts’ preferred aromas or stick with safe bets like vanilla or cinnamon.
Holiday ornament or decorative piece: Guests can offer ornaments for the tree or another decorative item for hosts who are repeat entertainers. Dating the decoration or having it
engraved can transform it into a memento hosts can relish through the years.
Comfort and care assortment: Hosting takes effort, so a box of items to pamper holiday hosts can be a great gift. Fill the box with a loofah, bath bombs, shower gel, moisturizing cream, and massage oil. Holiday hosts invest time and money into making their homes welcoming spaces to spend the holidays. Guests can treat these hosts with gifts to show how much their efforts and hospitality are appreciated.
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Open House!
Mark your calendars...Christmas Open House on December 6th from 4pm-8pm, 425 Market St., Williamsport
Come down town to enjoy a hot cocoa bar & Santa’s cookies, complimentary hand massages with our therapists Josh and Lyn, and some fun games and prizes!
We look forward to seeing you this holiday season!
The Basics of Advent
The month of December can be a busy time of year. Social engagements related to the holiday season can run the gamut from office parties to school pageants to dinners with extended family. Despite the hectic pace of the holiday season, millions of people still find time to celebrate their faith. For adherents to Catholicism, that includes celebrating the season of Advent. What is Advent?
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reports that Advent is a time of preparation for practicing
Catholics, who use the four-week season to prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ and for the celebration of the birth of Christ, which is commemorated on Christmas Day.
What does “Advent” mean?
The Catholic News Agency indicates that the word “Advent” is derived from the Latin “ad” and “venire,” which loosely translates to “to come” or “to come toward.”
When does Advent begin?
Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas. In 2024, the celebration
of the season of Advent begins on Sunday, December 1 and continues until Tuesday, December 24. What is the significance of Advent wreaths?
The Catholic News Agency notes that Advent wreaths have been in use since the Middle Ages. The evergreen wreaths remind Catholics of the eternal life in Jesus Christ. Each Sunday during Advent, one of the four candles on the Advent wreath is lit. Why is one Advent wreath candle a different color than the others?
Three of the four candles on an Advent wreath are purple. The candle lit on the third Sunday of Advent
is pink, and priests even wear pink vestments on this day. The USCCB notes that the third Sunday of Advent is known as “Gaudete Sunday.” The word “Gaudete” means “rejoice,” and the unique color of the candle lit on Gaudete Sunday commemorates that the season of Advent is halfway through.
What is the significance of the Advent calendar?
Advent calendars are among the more notable symbols of the holiday season for Catholics, and Christianity.com notes this tradition can be traced back to the mid-nineteenth century. Advent calendars typically feature 24 doors
or boxes to open (one for each day between December 1 and Christmas Eve), and they are used by families counting down the days until the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Many families with small children utilize Advent calendars to teach youngsters about their faith, which can help to redirect adults’ and children’s focus to the true meaning of the season during a period when it’s easy to grow distracted by other things.
Advent is a season of celebration for millions of individuals who want to emphasize their faith during a joyous time of year.
The end of the year is upon us and that often involves decorating a home in its holiday finest. According to Today’s Homeowner, nearly 70 percent of Americans plan to display outdoor holiday decorations. Among those choosing to decorate, 34 percent will do so before Thanksgiving. Everyone has a different vision of a well-appointed holiday home, but there’s always room to make things more unique and creative. These ideas can add a little extra to holiday displays.
Decorate other rooms
Who says holiday decorating is exclusive to living and dining areas? Think about decorating unexpected places, like swapping out everyday towels and shower curtains with something festive. Swags of greenery wrapped in lights can be added to bed frames.
Coordinate the ornaments
Identify a color theme and then showcase it with ornaments. Think about matching the ornaments to the presents wrapped under the tree as well. Purchase white package paper and color or paint the paper to be the
same hues as the ornaments on the tree boughs.
It’s hip to be square
While round wreaths are traditional, make your own wreaths in a different geometric shape by using wire or another material as the frame. Square wreaths may be unexpected, and you also can turn the square on its side for a diamond shape.
Add a spot of color
Certain holidays are known for their particular color palettes, such as red and green for Christmas. But you also can do something unexpected. Whether using a lighter shade of the same color family or adding an accent color like purple or blue, you can change things up in a creative way.
Make an unexpected bouquet
Swap flowers for pine cones, berries and greenery in unique vessels. For example, arrange your centerpiece in a tall fountain glass or even a cocktail shaker.
Try a different accent tree
Use a styrofoam cone as the base of a tree for a centerpiece or sideboard. Attach poinsettia branches for a vibrant red tree, or stacked lemons or oranges
Suspend
Families gather frequently during the holiday season as everyone enjoys the feasts and festivities that are synonymous with this time of year.
Families often bake and decorate together, as these activities are inclusive of people of all ages.
This time of year also is one for dabbling in creative pursuits. Now is a prime opportunity to bond with children over a table full of paint, glue, beads, and other crafty supplies.
The crafts made during the holidays often become cherished mementos
that will be regarded fondly for years to come.
Here are some ideas to inspire holiday creativity.
Snowman family
Handprint crafts are popular among children. Adults and children can dip their hands into washable white paint and make a handprint stamp on a small canvas, wooden palette or even a terracotta flowerpot. Decorate the white fingerprints with black dots to look like the faces of the snowmen and paint on top hats and scarves. In the years to come, artists can marvel
at how small their hand prints once were.
Wine cork reindeer
Repurpose wine corks by crafting adorable little reindeer. Two corks make up the head and the body, and four vertically will comprise the feet. Stick on googly eyes, and add a small red or black bead for the nose. Pipe cleaners can be bent to form the reindeer’s antlers.
Family garlands
This craft also makes use of handprints. Ask all family members to trace their handprints on different colors of construction paper or card stock. Cut out all of the paper hands, punch holes in the tops and then string a ribbon through. Decorate the Christmas tree or a mantle with this garland.
Miniature Christmas trees
Paint the tips of gathered pinecones with green paint and allow to dry. Add white glitter or paint as “snow.” Glue the pinecones to wine corks that will serve as the tree trunks, and attach a small wooden star to the top of the trees for the finishing touch.
Decoupage ornaments
Purchase wooden or plastic ball ornaments. Cover with small scraps of cut fabric or paper dipped in craft glue or Mod Podge®, and attach to the ornament in an overlapping fashion. Remember to add a string from which
the ornament can be hung on the tree. Allow to dry completely before use.
Paper chain Advent calendar
Cut strips of paper to make a link for every day of Advent. Advent begins on Sunday, December 1, 2024, and lasts until Christmas. The top link can be any design artists prefer, but those who need a little inspiration can consider a religious symbol, the face of a reindeer, a snowman, or a Christmas tree. Hang the chain and then children can take turns ripping off a link from the bottom each day as they count down to the holiday.
Popsicle stick snowflakes
Paint four popsicle sticks per snowflake in desired colors. Decorate with glue, pompoms, beads, or other trinkets. Add small looped strings to hang the ornaments.
Parents, grandparents and children can have fun crafting holiday decorations this December.
A Festive Guide to Caroling
Christmas caroling is a joyful tradition that has endured for centuries. Christmas caroling can be traced to the fourth century in Rome. Latin hymns were written to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Historians believe that even before the emergence of Christianity midwinter songs existed to lift people’s spirits through the bleak weather and extended hours of darkness.
Christmas caroling continues to unite communities and spread holiday cheer through song. It is time to inspire a resurgence of caroling by planning to gather friends, family, or neighbors for
a caroling session. This guide can help anyone plan a memorable caroling event.
Gather your group
Begin by assembling a group of singers.
No one needs to be an expert singer, as enthusiasm goes a long way. Reach out to friends, family, coworkers, and/or local community members. Try to get a diverse group of people together whose main goal is to have fun.
Find the right time and date
Typically, evening hours after work or during weekends are when you can reach the greatest number of people. The goal is to enable participants to relax and enjoy the experience.
Map out a caroling route
Carefully identify neighborhoods or locations that are known for being festive. While the organizer may choose to carol around his or her own neighborhood, it may be possible to engage more of the community in other settings. Look at local nursing homes or even community centers as caroling locations. Contact businesses along Main Street to see if caroling in the center of town to coincide with holiday shopping may be a good idea.
Compile a list of classics
Most people will want to hear the carols and other songs they know and love. Make a list of classic Christmas songs that aren’t overly complicated and singers will already know how to sing, such as “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” If a particularly accomplished singer is in the group, he or she might do a featured solo. Be sure to have printed copies of the lyrics and sheet music for all participants.
Enlist some musicians
Although caroling is traditionally done a capella, having someone who plays an instrument, like a guitar or violin, can ensure everyone is on the right note and can keep the pace of each song.
Plan to rest
Singing can be joyful, but also tiring. Bring along refreshments so the carolers can rest their voices and stop to grab a drink or snack. Tea, coffee and cocoa can warm up participants on chilly days.
Perhaps make one of the caroling stops in front of a local coffee shop and pop in after
a set.
Coordinate attire
Although everyone does not have to dress alike, a similar element, such as a red scarf or green mittens, can unite the group. Add a charitable element
Consider incorporating a charitable aspect to the caroling. Collect financial or food donations for a local food pantry, or do a toy drive while caroling, encouraging people to offer a wrapped gift in exchange for some beautiful music.
Christmas music often sets the holiday scene, and carolers can bring familiar songs into neighborhoods this time of
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Fun Ways to Make Christmas Eve Even More Special for Kids
Parents know that nothing quite matches the excitement young children feel on Christmas Eve. On the day before Christmas, youngsters anxiously anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus that evening and are perhaps even more excited by the prospects of the following morning, when they’ll race into the living room and discover all that the jolly old elf left behind.
Christmas Eve seems to have some builtin magical components, but there are a handful of ways parents can make the day
even more special for children. Track the big guy’s movements online.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), has tracked Santa’s Christmas Eve flight for more than 60 years. Beginning on Christmas Eve, families can track Santa’s movements across the globe at Noradsanta.org. Kids can visit the site to see where Santa is at any given moment on Christmas Eve, growing more excited as the big fella gets closer and closer to
their own region.
Create a Christmas Eve craft. Gather children and their cousins and/or friends to create a special Christmas Eve craft or decoration that can be displayed next year. This is a great way to channel youngsters’ nervous Christmas Eve energy into something productive, and it can make for a great tradition families can continue even after kids are grown.
Watch a favorite Christmas movie. Hollywood has never shied away from holiday fare, so there’s no shortage of festive films to enjoy with youngsters on Christmas Eve. Enjoy a classic like the 1947 film “Miracle on 34th Street” starring Natalie Wood as the adorable “Susan Walker” and Edmund Gwenn as “Kris
Kringle,” or go with something more recent, such as “The Grinch,” the 2018 adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Take a nighttime stroll or drive to see the lights. Lighting displays are another component that makes the holiday season so special. After Christmas Eve dinner, take a stroll through your neighborhood to see the lighting displays or climb into the car to take in a different neighborhood’s offerings if you’re already familiar with those in your own neck of the woods.
Christmas Eve is a magical day for youngsters and their parents. Some simple ideas can make the day even more meaningful for children and their families.
Classic Holiday Films the Whole Family Can Enjoy
Celebrants owe the joy of the holiday season to various components. Decor and giftgiving go a long way toward making December a joyous time of year. Holiday films also do their part to make the season so special.
Many people have their own favorite holiday films, and the following are some that can engage viewers who are young or simply young at heart.
“A Christmas Story”
Released in 1983, this warmly
nostalgic, humorous film is a perennial favorite among families. It follows the story of Ralphie, who has his heart set on a very specific Christmas present: a Red Rider BB gun. Amidst wintry exploits and family drama, the true spirit of Christmas manages to shine through in this beloved film. Some of the subject matter can be off-color, and there are some bullying scenes. So this is a movie best watched with children who are mature enough to make it through without being scared.
“Little Women”
Based on the Louisa May Alcott novel of the same name, the 1994 telling of this classic follows the March sisters, who confront financial difficulties, romance and family tragedies in midnineteenth century Massachusetts. While it’s not a traditional Christmas movie, the importance of spending time with family around Christmastime is a core theme in this coming-of-age tale.
“Klaus”
Perhaps not as well-known as other animated holiday flicks, “Klaus,” released in 2019, has a personality all its own. Postman Jesper, who is not making the grade at the postal academy, is sent to work in a frozen town in the North, where he discovers a reclusive toy maker named Klaus. The unlikely duo ultimately team up to make and deliver toys and bring smiles to children’s faces.
“Meet Me In St. Louis”
Starring the irreplaceable Judy Garland, this movie musical focuses on four sisters who are awaiting the 1904 World’s Fair in their hometown, but learn that their father has accepted a new job and the family must move to New York beforehand. A Christmas miracle occurs and all is right in the end. Garland sings a memorable version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in the film, solidifying this as a holiday classic.
Sugar
“The Santa Clause”
This Disney film came out in 1994 and remains a family favorite. When divorced dad Scott (Tim Allen) accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, he magically becomes the next Santa. He must learn to cope with the ways the transformation to the man in red interrupts his normal life, eventually giving over to the magic of Christmas.
“Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas”
Though this 1977 Jim Henson production is a television special and not a full-length feature film, Generation X likely remembers the heartfelt tale of a poor otter family who sacrifice prized possessions to have what’s needed to enter a talent contest. The goal is to win the prize money to buy special Christmas presents. Audiences get to enjoy narration by Kermit the Frog. Films are a popular component that help to make the holiday season so special.
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Be Your Best Brunch Host this Holiday Season
uch is made about the main course during a holiday meal, and for good reason. Food features prominently during the holiday season, and many a lasting memory is made around the family dinner table each December.
Though it’s impossible to exaggerate the importance of the main course during a holiday celebration with family and friends, savvy hosts, especially those welcoming overnight guests into their homes, recognize that a sit-down dinner isn’t the only opportunity to show off their culinary skills. When hosting overnight guests, a relaxing homemade brunch can make for the perfect way for hosts and their guests to ease into a day. Hosts looking to plan a simple, flavorful holiday brunch can utilize this recipe for “Mushroom Sausage Frittata” courtesy of Lines+Angles.
Mushroom Sausage Frittata
Makes 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients:
• 1 tablespoon good-quality olive oil
• 2 cups chopped smoked sausage
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
• 8 fresh eggs
• 3 1⁄2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated Directions:
1. Preheat oven broiler.
2. Heat the oil in a 10-inch nonstick, ovenproof skillet. Add sausage and sauté until it begins to brown, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and sauté until golden, about 3 additional minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
3. Combine the eggs, heavy cream, salt, and pepper in a blender; process until frothy. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet with the sausage mixture and cook, undisturbed, until the sides and bottom are set but center is loose, about 4 minutes.
4. Sprinkle cheese over the top and place skillet under broiler and cook until mixture is just set on top and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes. Cool 2 minutes, slice and serve.
It’s easy to recognize the holiday season has arrived. Holiday-centric sights and sounds abound this time of year.
In fact, the arrival of decorations in stores seemingly comes earlier and earlier each year, perhaps to accommodate people’s undying enthusiasm for the holiday season.
Decorating a home or business for the holidays involves some familiar items, but this is a time of year when people can truly make the holidays their own. With that in mind, here are some considerations for decorations and other trinkets that can add a lot of cheer to this already festive time of year.
Advent calendar: While it is called an advent calendar and traditionally ties into the time preceding Christmas, anyone can utilize an advent “countdown” calendar as they anticipate the arrival of Christmas Day. There are different iterations of advent calendars, from chocolate calendars to decorative ones featuring doors behind which there are whimsical figurines. Kids may even want to get involved in making homemade calendars.
Wreaths: Wreaths are one of the simplest ways to dress up windows, doors or other areas of a home. These decorative items can be made from various materials. Evergreen boughs are one of the more traditional, but there’s also colorful garlands, flowers or even ribbon that can be wrapped to make a wreath.
Lights: Lights are integral parts of both Christian and Jewish holiday celebrations. Lights adorn homes to represent Christ being the Light of the World. In Judaism, the lighting of eight candles for Chanukah represents how a small amount of Temple oil miraculously burned for eight days and nights. Filling a home with artificial lights or candles adds a festive touch to dark winter evenings.
Poinsettias: Poinsettias come in a variety of colors, but red is the hue of choice for holiday decorating. Perhaps surprisingly. poinsettias are tropical plants. The “flowers” you see on the plants aren’t flowers at all. They’re modified leaves called bracts. If you take good care of poinsettias, they even can be planted outdoors for the summer.
Boughs and branches: One of the easiest ways to add a festive touch to a home for the holidays is with items that likely can be scavenged from outdoors. Take a hike and gather some evergreen boughs, tree branches, pine cones, and holly sprigs, which can be turned into garlands, wreaths or centerpieces. With a little white speckle paint, you can give them a snow-covered look.
Decorating for the holidays is a popular tradition and one that can make spaces even more festive to enjoy. Various items can enhance the ambiance and set the scene for the joyous weeks to come.
Games Add Another Layer of Levity to Holiday Celebrations
The holidays bring together friends, neighbors and family members to celebrate some of the most festive days of the year. Although celebrants often incorporate traditions they hold dear this time of year, downtime provides an opportunity to embrace new games and entertainment ideas as well.
The following are some fun games to play this holiday season that can help to break the ice and keep everyone laughing.
Reindeer Games
Everyone knows that Rudolph wanted to have fun and participate in “reindeer games,” but he was left on the sidelines. Inspired by the tune, everyone can participate in reindeer games at your home. These types of games can include tests of endurance and dexterity, like fruitcake-eating contests, running races or doing hurdle competitions in the yard.
Candy Cane Home Runs
Participants can see how well they can launch a marshmallow into the outfield by hitting it with a candy cane taking the place of the baseball bat. Each participant gets three swings. The person with the most home runs wins.
Guess the Gift
In this game, party hosts wrap up five oddly shaped gifts specifically for the game (the gifts may be oddly shaped or just the wrapping as a decoy). Players take turns trying to guess what is inside and mark down their answers on sheets. One by one the gifts are
revealed. If anyone guesses the gift, it is given as a prize. If more than one person guesses a gift, come up with a fun way to break the tie, such as rock, paper, scissors or thumb wrestling.
Christmas Karaoke
Singing traditional carols and popular holiday tunes is not uncommon come December. In this competitive version of karaoke, singers have to keep on singing, even when the lyrics get turned off or covered to test their true knowledge of these songs.
Present Stackers
This requires keeping a collection of oddly shaped gifts at the ready. Game participants try to stack the presents as tall as they can without them toppling over.
Fishing for Fun
Hang strings on the straight ends of candy canes to fashion fishing poles, with the curved ends serving as the “hooks.” Participants try to “fish” smaller candy canes out of a bowl and see how many they can reel in.
The “No L” Game
The game referee has a list of a few categories (i.e., food, sports, colors, cars, etc.) and players are split into a few teams. When the category is called, the teams have to jot down as many words as they can pertaining to the category that do not have a letter “L” in them before a timer runs out.
These are just a few festive ways to have fun with friends or family members during holiday gatherings.
