Getting In The Christmas Spirit
- 7 hours ago
- 5 min read
(feat. My Favorite Books, Treats, & Traditions)
Aannnd we're back! (Again.)
Guten tag, my friend! I hope you had a wonderful October-November wherever you are in the world, but now it's December and time to start spreading all those lovely Christmas tidings! (Note: If you are grieving or otherwise bracing yourself for a difficult season, my heart goes out to you. I pray you find a place of peace and comfort that will be a balm to your soul. You are not alone.)
Books
We did this a year or two ago, but I decided it was worth revisiting: Three books I highly recommend reading on or around Christmas!
1. The Advent Storybook (Antonie Schneider)
I love this book. I love the illustrations. I love the message. Is it a 'children's book'? Yes. Do I care? No, and neither should you. (Bonus points if you've got little kids or siblings to share it with.) I have no clue where my family got this book, but it's been part of our Advent regimen in some way almost every year. Whether it's a core memory, or the book itself, something about it always captures the wonder and mystery of Advent that a Hallmark Christmas Movie Marathon could never. (Please don't come after me.)
If you have a chance to find this one, or if you have an Advent book of your own that's been handed down, I encourage you to sit down with it. And don't just flip through looking at pictures; take your time.
2. The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)
Another 'children's book', but one that helped shape my view of Christmas for the better. If you haven't read this one yet, it may not appear to be a Christmas story right off -- but trust me, it all makes sense in chapter ten.
(Same drill: You can find a deeper look at this book in this post.)
3. The Immortal Nicholas (Glenn Beck)
And now, the creme de la creme of Christmas historical fantasy - yes, historical fantasy is a real genre - the book I return to year after year to remind myself of the true point of all our festivities. At this point, I probably need to just buy this book instead of vying for our library's single copy. This, however, is not a children's story, so I would exercise caution before sharing it with kids or the exceptionally sensitive. (Brief depictions of violence, depression, and an attempted s*icide lurk within the narrative.)
The Immortal Nicholas takes a solid, unflinching look at the life of Christ, the fallen state of our world, and the true dogged nature of hope through the eyes of a fictional character who has experienced life's best and worst to the extreme. It blends fact and legend into a grounded-yet-spiritual tale of epic proportions, granting depth and meaning to the origins and figure of Santa Claus that I have yet to see anywhere else. It is also, I think, a good read for my fellow fantasy enthusiasts who are grieving this season - just know that it may spark a few tears throughout.
Music
What is a day of decorating, reading, or baking for Christmas without great Christmas music? Incomplete, I tell you. Below are two Spotify playlists that I've created to help you embrace two sides of the holidays: Epic Christmas, full of grand, sweeping tracks that will transport you to a landscape of mystery and awe; and Christmas Fluff, to return you home to a warm hearth and sweet memories.
(If you don't have Spotify but you'd like me to post a list of songs and/or artists, comment below!)
Hot Chocolate From Scratch
Finally, the moment you've been waiting for: It's time to repost the recipe for the best (and easiest) hot chocolate you've ever tasted!
I've actually spoiled myself with this stuff; packaged hot cocoa now carries notes of paper and desperation. Be warned: If you try this, you might never go back.
You will need:
1 cup Milk of your choice (dairy, almond, oat, whatever)
1-3 tbsp Cocoa or Cacao Powder
1-3 tbsp (or to taste) sweetener of your choice (I've used everything from unrefined cane sugar to raspberry coffee syrup.)
A literal pinch of salt
1-2 drops Vanilla Extract (or to taste... I always eyeball it.)
Directions:
In a small saucepan, whisk all the ingredients together over low to medium heat - DO NOT let it burn on the bottom. Milk will stick and burn long before it starts simmering, so stir often. Cocoa can take a long time to dissolve; be patient!
When your hot chocolate is nice and steamy, but not boiling or burnt, pour it into a mug of your choice. If you're feeling extra invincible against the 12 pounds of Christmas, add a spoonful of whipped cream. I make this from scratch too, and if you've never tried it... it will change your life.
Variations:
You can flavor this hot chocolate however you want. Drink it plain, or add a bit of crushed peppermint candy on top (or in the mix, or both). Butterscotch or caramel could be good, too. The possibilities are endless! If you do add something to the mix, make sure you warm it up with the rest so it doesn't sink to the bottom of your mug and make a grainy, sticky mess.
You can size this recipe up if you choose to share the homemade goodness with guests - just make sure you size up your saucepan, too, so you have plenty of room to whisk without flinging cocoa all over your stove. I speak from experience.
Candles
Listen up, friends: I love candles, but there are a few things I feel compelled to warn you about if you're not aware of them already.
Scented candles are lovely, but beware when you go buying them at a store; most mass-produced candles are made of paraffin wax, which is a petroleum by-product (the same stuff your tires are made of). According to some, burning paraffin wax can release carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) into your home. In addition, it can be extremely difficult to find out what exactly is used to scent those candles. If you burn candles often, I suggest making them yourself with soy wax, beeswax, or palm wax, for example; or, if that's not an option, there are scores of small-business owners who sell homemade candles in-store or online, and it's usually much easier to find a list of ingredients so you know exactly what you're setting loose in your home.
If you're considering old candles that you found in your great-grandma's attic, be sure to check that they aren't paraffin, and make absolutely certain that they don't have lead wicks (surprisingly common in old candles, something I wish I'd known sooner.) If your candles contain either, chuck them. Chuck them right into the fire swamp.
(Comment below if you understood that reference.)
On a more common-sense note, be sure you never leave a candle burning unattended while you're not in the house. Keep candles on a stable surface, away from curtains and tissue boxes, and out of reach of pets and children. If you have cats, might I suggest opting for battery-operated, flameless candles instead?
Conclusion
Welp, I guess that about wraps it up. OH, and I have an assignment for you! I've been toying with the idea of doing a Q&A post at the beginning of next year, but I would need questions to actually answer. Comment below, is that something you're interested in? If so, what would you like to know?
Have a merry, blessed Christmas, my friend! Onward!
~ Lydia
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