During the twelve days until Christmas break, the King Street Chronicle will again present staff favorites from the holiday season. This fifth edition will not include five gold rings, but beloved Christmas songs, memories, recipes, movies, and crafts.

Song: “Holly Jolly Christmas,” performed by Mr. Michael Bublé.

Recipe: Homemade Peppermint Patties

Total time: 20 minutes

Servings: 40 patties

Ingredients:

• One-fourth cup butter
• One-third cup light corn syrup
• One to two teaspoons peppermint extract
• Three cups powdered sugar
• Two cups dark chocolate
• Chocolate sprinkles (optional)

Steps:

• For three minutes, mix together butter, light corn syrup, peppermint extract, and powdered sugar using an electric mixer.
• Make balls out of dough, about two teaspoons worth, and add patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Let patties chill in the freezer for ten to 15 minutes.
• For one minute and 20 seconds, melt chocolate in the microwave.  Stir to ensure the chocolate is smooth.
• Take patties out of the freezer and coat each in melted chocolate using a spoon.  Place fully coated patties on parchment paper and add sprinkles.
• Transfer patties into a container.

Movie: The Santa Clause 2

In the Tim Allen sequel, it has been eight years since he became Santa and the elves regard him as one of the best Santas of all time, but his world turns upside down just a month before Christmas. Not quite as good as the original, this movie is still another go-to for holiday family entertainment,” courtesy of today.com.

Craft: Ice Lanterns with Winter Berries

Supplies:

• Big empty cans
• Small empty cans
• Real or fake, winter berries and seasonal greenery
• Water
• Masking tape
• Tealight candles
• Large container
• Small rocks (optional)

Instructions:

• Clean out cans completely and collect winter berries and seasonal greenery.
• Put the small cans into the big cans and add the berries and greenery into the small gaps.
• Add water into the small gaps leaving one-half inch of space at the top.
• Optional step: In the small can, place small rocks at the bottom, making sure the can does not float around.
• Use tape to cover the tops of the cans.
• Place the cans into the freezer for 24 hours.
• Remove the cans from the freezer and take the tape off the top of the cans.  Run hot water over the outside of the big can for ten to 15 seconds.  Begin to gently twist the small can out from the big can.
• Allow the big can to slide off slowly and then add hot water into the center of the small can.
• Once the ice lantern is out of the cans, place it in the freezer to remain frozen.
• When ready to use, place tealight candles into the lanterns.

Memory: Maddy Ball ’23

“Every Christmas season I look forward to the tradition of going to visit the Rockefeller tree.  During December each year, I take the train to New York City on a weekend to go see the Rockefeller tree with my friends.  I took this image when I went to see it in 2019 with my friend Kourtney.  Despite visiting annually, time and time again I am awestruck by the tree’s mountainous size and magnificent decorations.  This is one of my favorite Christmas traditions and I hope to continue it for years to come.”

Featured Image by Claire Moore ’22