Last week I wrote about the December holidays; this week, I will write about traditions that go with some of these holidays.
Festive Food and Drinks
Hot chocolate: There are many fun ways to make a cup of hot cocoa. Stock up on the ingredients and share this festive beverage with friends and family.
Hot Cider
Mulled Wine
Eggnog: Buy at the store or make your own, with or without alcohol.
Holiday drinks
From the New York Times, Day 11: Why Do We Drink These Holiday Cocktails Every Year?. “A Times article from 1907 titled “Christmas Cheer and How to Make It,” explained that “it has ever been the custom among those who entertained largely to keep the punch bowl filled to the brim with some particularly tasty liquid refreshment from early in the afternoon until late at night.” As to the liquid refreshment itself, the writer broke down the most popular ones by region: Eggnog was a favorite in the South; rum toddies in New York; rum punch in New England — and a hot port wine punch recipe by the New York bartender William Schmidt (famed in his day) was thrown into the mix.“
Latkes
Sufganiyot
Christmas Cookies, Gingerbread cookies, and Christmas desserts
32 Best Christmas Desserts (+ Easy Recipes) from Insanely Good
From Southern Living, Our 35 Easiest Ever Christmas Cookie Recipes
Here is a sampling of delicious Christmas desserts courtesy of Aunt Trish:
Activities
The lighting of candles for Hannakuh or Kwanza, or Advent
From PureWow, How to Celebrate Kwanzaa This Year
From PureWow, 6 Hanukkah Traditions to Celebrate the Festival of Lights
Spin the dreidel
Izzy ‘n’ Dizzy Hanukkah Dreidels – Metallic Blue and Silver Dreidel – 4 Pack Medium $6.49 Amazon
The giving of Gelt
Make gingerbread houses
Shop for gifts
Wrapping gifts
How to Wrap a Gift Like a Real Pro from Country Living
Exchanging gifts
Drive around to see Christmas lights
Visit a local light show
The best Boston Christmas lights
From PureWow, 15 Festive Drive-Thru Christmas Lights in NY and NJ (Plus, a Few You Can See on Foot)
Go into the city or town to see the lights and Christmas trees.
Decorating the tree
Family meal
Going to a holiday show:
The Nutcracker
The Boston Pops: 2022 Holiday Pops Concert
Watch holiday movies
I wrote about my favorite Christmas movies and cheesy Christmas movies.
Sit by the fire
Lifestyle of a Fashionista 
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