Well kids, head's up: If it's too early for Christmas songs, this is not the post for you. Sorry if you were one of those people who signed the Shopper's Drug Mart petition. I apologize if you have been to the mall and been upset at all the beautiful decorations going up, and if you can't stand the thought of watching even The Grinch yet. No room for Scrooge's here. I, as usual, am amped for this, the merriest of holidays.
If you're having a get together, include us. Not only can we bring you delicious foodstuffs, I'll wear a Santa hat. Just kidding, unless you're into that sort of thing. I have to tell you, of all the different types of jobs we do, I can't think of anything better than catering a holiday party. Even as I sit here I'm coming up with new menu ideas in the back of my head. Maybe I should get a pen and pad....
As for our own holiday parties (of which I try to have several, and the husband tries to limit to as few as possible), I wanted to try to get bunch of the gals together to make boxes of sweets. So, any of you with a delicious cookie, bar, candy, or treat recipe better give up the goods if you've got 'em. It's a good time to try our hand at some new vegan recipes so we'd love to hear if you've got any! Just send us the links in the comments section, Twitter or Facebook. I'm a stickler for the classics at Christmas, which usually means I try to replicate the holidays of my youth exactly. The traditions, food, tree, music...everything. As I get older and realize that at some point we will be entertaining young ones, I'm forced this year to take inventory of what we may and may not want Christmas to mean to our future kids. So, I'm going to try a few new things, throwing caution to the wind in the hopes that I can make the holidays EVEN BETTER. There are some things I will always cherish, like getting new pajamas on Christmas Eve, or getting useful things in my stocking. Last year was the first year we did two tree's, and spending a quiet evening alone unpacking the boxes and decorating one tree by myself was for me, a perfect evening. In the coming years, children or no children, two trees will be the norm.
(I'm selfish and I want my very own, perfect tree. No one else does it right. Are you happy now?)
So, on the board this year:
Make homemade eggnog. It has always scared me for some reason, and I gotta tell you; watching that lovely pale yellow stuff flow out of the carton, over ice and nutmeg and spiced rum is one of the loveliest visions of the holidays. BUT. I think I can do it better than the carton, even if it takes me a few tries.
Make homemade marshmallows. Because of the gelatin. We deserve marshmallows dammit. Maybe eggnog flavored ones?????
Apple cider from scratch. If none of these work out to my liking, Plan B is to come up with some other food tradition.
Find some new Christmas music. I have to admit, the songs are one of my favorite things, but I've been listening to the same ones for 30 years, and even I start to find it repetitive now. White Christmas, The Pogues, anything by Elvis, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Silver Bells will always have a place in the playlist, but it's time to look for some new stuff. Again, suggestions welcome.
Well, I suppose it's back to work for me, working on holiday and winter menus. Remember we don't mind small or large groups, vegetarian or vegan, and even gluten free. We've also got an event planner on staff now, in case you need some help getting your party organized.
Happy Holidays,
Phony Balony
***In case those of you who don't personally understand my holiday obsession, know this: I keep a VCR around because of my sole VHS tape, a copy of White Christmas. I contemplate a Christmas in June every year, just for the excuse to have it twice. At least one secret and shameful day of the year I listen to carols when it's not even close to Christmas. You've been warned.***
