As December creeps in and winter awakens, so does the holiday obsessed spirit in me. The season fills the air with not only a cinnamon scent, but an enchantingly magical atmosphere. While the grass isn’t hidden by mountains of snow and it is often too hot for a mug of hot chocolate to warm my hands, I find joy in the simple moments made by the following activities that are on my list of “holiday musts”.

Mozart’s Holiday Light Show

Every year beginning on Nov. 9, Mozart’s Coffee Roasters reinvents itself into a glowing, true Christmas town, and every year I’ve made it tradition to attend. Even on the walk up to the restaurant, the radiating lights hit my skin and the music immediately reaches my ears, really bringing the magical Christmas vision in my head to life. Nothing beat the feeling of a steaming hot chocolate on a chilly night in one hand and a cinnamon pretzel outsizing my head in the other. As if the show of lights and tunes weren’t enough, the special addition of being seated next to a live singer performing ballads on a piano really elevated the feeling. And to capture the memories, photo zones are spread throughout the entrance along with concessions, a merchandise table and a light up dance floor.

Christmas Movies

Although I am a consumer of Christmas movies no matter the season, there is no better time than December snuggle in with your favorite blanket, favorite people and favorite holiday films. When it comes to the classics, I will forever have a select few as winter essentials:

• Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
• The Polar Express (2004)
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
• The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Each of these films successfully capture the essence of Christmas while reaching every checkpoint of a perfect holiday film. The comedy incorporated mixed with the touch of nostalgia ensures these a place on my list of classics. And making room for a few more, the romantic comedy genre coupled with wintery settings makes these some of my favorite films to re-watch:

• The Holiday (2006)
• Last Christmas (2019)
• Serendipity (2001)

Christmas Music

While movies do take part in winter festivities, I personally love to bridge the gap with Christmas music that gets put on repeat immediately following Thanksgiving. There is always room for the original pop masterpieces that take over during winter, such as:

• All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey
• Underneath The Tree by Kelly Clarkson
• Last Christmas by Wham!

These songs will always hold a special place in my heart, but the younger generation of singers are rising, and are creating their own iconic era of holiday music. This year, some of my favorite artists have sprinkled magic into my Spotify playlists through their new releases.

• A Very Laufey Holiday (Singles) by Laufey

• Fruitcake (EP) by Sabrina Carpenter

• Christmas With You (Singles) by Norah Jones and Laufey

• A Timeless Christmas (Single) by Coco Jones

Baking

Thanksgiving may take the cake of the holiday with the best food, however Christmas in my house gives desserts their time to shine. Even with limited baking skills, Christmas dessert crafts gets me in the spirit every year. I always start by taking out the graham crackers knowing there are endless possibilities there: Smore’s, Gingerbread man House (without the gingerbread), Toffee Bars, etc. If you are looking for a project worth the presentation, simple sugar cookies allow endless room for creativity when you bring out the colorful icing and cookie cutters.

My holiday wish is for the air to become crisp and for crystals to line my windowsill, but while we wait, each of these activities are on my to-do list for the month and are worth trying out.