Ria Beri ‘27
Aditi Jabitapuram ‘27
EE Staff Writers
Christmas is approaching as we know it. Stores are stocking up on candy canes, picturesque Christmas trees are displayed in windows, and flurries are starting to flutter through the air. Although originally celebrated to recognize Jesus’ birthday, this holiday has grown to represent much more. The holiday season is filled with joy, gratitude, and love, and with it comes a festive aura like no other. To maximize the delight and joy you get out of this upcoming break, we recommend playing around with decorations, cheery garments, and flavorful recipes to see which best fits your liking. These are all creative ways to enhance the holiday experience while still making it unique to you.
It is no secret that food is a major part of the holidays. Cinnamon, chocolate, and peppermint are among the popular flavors that are enjoyed at this time of year, and several recipes implement them. One such recipe is heart-shaped candy cane bark. To make this, simply arrange the candy canes on parchment paper and melt them slightly in the microwave. After that, fill a piping bag with the melted candy and use it to draw heart shapes. Finally, fill the hearts with chocolate and garnish them with sprinkles. Mexican hot chocolate and Christmas-themed chocolate pretzels are classics that can be made in addition to this recipe. Mexican hot chocolate brings the flavor of churros to hot cocoa, while chocolate-covered pretzels combine sweet and salty. Both are amazing snacks to indulge in this holiday season.
Another key aspect of Christmas is the decorations. Here, the opportunities are truly endless as you can use lights, gingerbread homes, wreaths, candles, and so much more. One of the most sought-after decorations is the Christmas village set, which can be placed at the base of your tree. This collection of small-scale lamp posts, roads, vehicles and buildings is meant to resemble an illuminated, festive village, and brings a beautiful look to homes. Another popular option is to place a miniature Christmas tree outside your home. This allows you to spread your gaiety to the exterior of your home, and even coordinate with your neighbors! If you choose to host a Christmas dinner, a great way to spice it up is to adorn the table with clippings from your own tree. You would simply cut off several fir trimmings and scatter them around your dining table to give it a welcoming and pleasant look. To kick it up a notch, garnish the trimmings with pinecones, ornaments, and tinsel. Decorated gingerbread homes can also be placed along the table, while pine and peppermint-scented candles can be used to create a convivial aroma that will float through the air.
Christmas presents everyone with the opportunity to boldly express themselves through their jewelry choices and clothing statements. Many enjoy partaking in ugly sweater contests to see who can get the tackiest and most festive. Typically, the “ugliest” sweaters are red, green, white, and/or blue, and depict gingerbread men, reindeer, and Santa- but wear whatever suits you! Another great way to utilize fashion to display your festivity is to invest in Christmas-themed necklaces. To display your love and appreciation for those close to you, purchase matching mistletoe necklaces and wear it with your friend, relative, or significant other. To get even more personalized, create candy necklaces using smarties, peppermints, gummies, and chocolates. In addition to this, snowflake earrings are a must. They bring a dazzling sparkle to the ears of the wearer and only cost a few dollars. Men should also consider purchasing plaid suits and decorated ties, as there are so many to choose from.
This Christmas, we hope that you take some of the tips here and incorporate them into your celebrations. Although food, decorations, and fashion represent a vast part of Christmas lifestyle, there is still a lot more to consider. Cookie exchanges, family cards, and advent calendar countdowns are other beautiful ways to engage in the festivities. Whatever you choose to do, be sure to stay safe and have fun!