Winter can be looked at one of two ways. You can see it as being cold and miserable with the streets lined with grey slush courtesy of the salt trucks. Annoying and repetitive caterwauling playing over store speakers and radio stations no matter where you go. Peppermint EVERYTHING.
Or… You can look at winter as I and so many others do. Tiny crystalline flakes fall from the sky to either make their home in a bed of snow or melt away just as quickly as they were formed. As you walk the sidewalks you can smell the aroma of chestnuts roasting. Trucks are set-up peddling every kind of hot chocolate imaginable and it’s almost guaranteed that you will find your favorite (or a new favorite!) among them. The storefronts are all decorated in beautiful sparkling lights.
That is my wintertime fantasy made real every time I visit New York City with my mother, a time-honored tradition. There are so many holidays in the winter months it’s easy to get wrapped up in one or two or maybe even more than that! This article is a celebration of the people who get into the Holiday Spirit and make everything more magical for the rest of us simply through their enjoyment of this special time of year.
This is a video I took of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree lit up in all of her glory on one of the vacations I took with my mother and aunt Marolyn.
I asked people on social media if they thought they had 'holiday spirit' and asked the ones who thought they did to fill out some questions about this time of year. This is how it went!
Name/Nickname: Bria
General Location: Virginia
What Is Your Favorite Holiday Activity? Going to look at the Christmas lights, either just
in town or at special events. Bonus if there’s hot chocolate involved. I’m also a big fan of
Black Friday shopping. I avoid the crazy spots, like Walmart at 5AM, but love the energy
overall and the decorations and my mom and I always stop at Starbucks for hot cocoa
and get a cookie at the mall, so that is a fun time for us. We buy a lot of pajama sets
usually lol
Do You Have Holiday Memories Involving Snow? Several. I’ve often lived in or traveled
to snowy places at the holidays. A few years ago, it started snowing on Christmas Eve
and we went out and played in it. It was one of the last Christmases that my dad was
fully with us.
Which Holiday(s) Do You Celebrate? Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s
How Early Do You Turn on Holiday Tunes? Usually Black Friday. Sometimes any time
after Halloween. I don’t like rushing and missing Thanksgiving, but I don’t have a
Thanksgiving playlist, and sometimes I get impatient. I’ll probably listen to some today
after doing this.
Have You Ever Traveled For The Holiday? All the time. We used to go somewhere
every year for the holidays until my dad got sick. Disney World is a favorite. I go to New
York City by myself every other year, the first of December to see the lights and ice
skate in the park. When I was a kid and my dad was in the military, going to see family
involved traveling. We were almost never home for Christmas. I didn’t get along with my
cousins, so I was always happier the years it was just me and my parents. But we still
almost always went somewhere, because it was the time we all had off work and school
to travel.
What Is Your Holiday Drink of Choice? Hot mulled wine/cider
What Is Your Favorite Holiday Baked Good? These candy cane cookies my mom and I
make
Favorite Song? Trans Siberian Orchestra’s “Snow Came Down”
Have You Ever Bought Yourself or Someone Else an Advent Calendar? Yes. I had one
every year we lived in Germany when I was a kid. I’ve bought a few as an adult for the
nostalgia.
Name/Nickname: Chris
General Location: Massachusetts, USA
What Is Your Favorite Holiday Activity? Listening to holiday music
Do You Have Holiday Memories Involving Snow? Yes, mostly from when I was a kid
Which Holiday(s) Do You Celebrate? Christmas
How Early Do You Turn on Holiday Tunes? November 1st, lmao
What Is Your Favorite Holiday Baked Good? I always associate baked brie with the holidays because my uncle would make it when we would go to their house for Christmas
Favorite Song? I have far too many favorites to pick just one... My holiday spotify playlist has over 2k songs on it
What Makes The Perfect Holiday Gift? Something thoughtful that is tailored to the specific recipient. It doesn't have to be flashy or expensive, as long as some clear thought was put into it.
If You Had To Spend The Holidays Alone, How Would You Save The Christmas Spirit? Lots of listening to holiday music! In 2020, we did a Zoom video call with my family.
Name/Nickname: Lucy
General Location: Pacific Northwest by way of California
What Is Your Favorite Holiday Activity? Gathering.
Do You Have Holiday Memories Involving Snow? No.
Which Holiday(s) Do You Celebrate? Jul (similar to the pagan Yule)
How Early Do You Turn on Holiday Tunes? Nov 1 shhhhhhh
What Is Your Holiday Drink of Choice? Starbucks used to have this gingerbread latte that I hope to recreate one day. Otherwise, hot coca with marshmallows.
What Is Your Favorite Holiday Baked Good? There’s something sweet and sentimental about sugar or butter cookies with the crystal colored sugar used as decoration. I also associate this holiday with rolls - fresh buttered rolls from the oven.
Favorite Song? “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Silver Bells” and, this is a left field one, “Keep Christmas With You” (Do you know how hard it is to narrow down to favorites?)
Name/Nickname: Brig
General Location: Missouri but used to live in Minnesota
How Early Do You Turn on Holiday Tunes? I think christmas music should wait until Dec 1st (or even a littler later) but my dad turns it on in October like a crazy person
What Makes The Perfect Holiday Gift? Something that the person specifically said they wanted, or a gift related to their interests that you know they will use. I also think food is a really underrated gift, especially for people that don't have extra space to store an influx of things every year.
If You Had To Spend The Holidays Alone, How Would You Save The Christmas Spirit? I would still put up decorations and probably wrap myself a few presents. I'd pick a day (it wouldn't have to be Dec 24/25 specifically) to get takeout and watch old christmas cartoons that I watched when I was a kid. I would probably also pick out some kind of christmas DIY project and work on that over a few days.
Name/Nickname: Savannaha / Lina
General Location: Louisiana
What Is Your Favorite Holiday Activity? Going to grandma's on Christmas Eve, spending time with family I hardly see.
How Early Do You Turn on Holiday Tunes? My mom does it for me and those usually play year round. However, a local radio station plays nothing but Christmas music from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas Day, and that just stays on during the holidays.
What Is Your Favorite Holiday Baked Good? No idea. I usually make pies this time of year and go to the local bakery for treats. My mom will sometimes make chocolates, not that it's a baked good. I do really like a well made gingerbread cookie but those are rare to find.
Favorite Song? Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Carol of the Bells because I'm just so edgy. Idk, it sounds really cool and is a modern take on a classic without it being grating on your ears. I also love singing the backup for Elvis' Blue Christmas, that's fun.
Have You Ever Bought Yourself or Someone Else an Advent Calendar? No but that's because I haven't found the right ones. My family has one that you can re-use every year and my friend has wanted one for her daughter forever, but I can't find any reasonably priced. They're crazy expensive now.
Note From Bridget: They don't have to be expensive! Advent Calendars come in all shapes, forms and prices, and you still have a few days to buy one for yourself or a loved one if you haven't already! Check out the Today Show's 79 Favorite Advent Calendars.
Name/Nickname: Tina a.k.a. Mom
General Location: eastern Midwest
What Is Your Favorite Holiday Activity? So many— decorating, shopping, getting Starbucks hot chocolate and looking at holiday lights, visiting family
Do You Have Holiday Memories Involving Snow? Late on Christmas Eve when everyone is home waiting for Santa and there’s a fresh layer of snow outside; it’s dark, but the holiday lights are still on and Silent Night plays
Which Holiday(s) Do You Celebrate? All of them
How Early Do You Turn on Holiday Tunes? Earlier every year
Have You Ever Traveled For The Holiday? Not on the holiday, but I’ve been to NYC the week before numerous times
What Is Your Holiday Drink of Choice? White Christmas Margarita!
What Is Your Favorite Holiday Baked Good? Cookies
Favorite Song? Springsteen’s Merry Christmas Baby
Have You Ever Bought Yourself or Someone Else an Advent Calendar? You bet!
What Makes The Perfect Holiday Gift? Know the person you’re gifting and pay attention to what they like — choose accordingly
If You Had To Spend The Holidays Alone, How Would You Save The Christmas Spirit? Take care of yourself: plan a day of self-care — bubble bath, deep conditioning, etc. Read a book. Go to the movies. Take a trip. Remember, you don’t have to spend it alone — volunteer
Any Closing Words?
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!🎄🎉🎶
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