During the 12 days until Christmas break, the King Street Chronicle again presents staff favorites from the holiday season. This final edition will not include three french hens, but beloved Christmas songs, memories, recipes, movies, and crafts.
Song: “Little Saint Nick” performed by The Beach Boys.
Recipe: “Popcorn Ball Wreaths”
Total time: 20 minutes
Quantity: 12 wreaths
Ingredients:
Instructions:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment. Put the popcorn in a bowl large enough to toss it with the melted marshmallows.
- Combine the marshmallows and butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals at 50 percent power until the marshmallows are done inside, for about one minute. Add the vanilla and food coloring and stir until smooth and bright green.
- Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and stir with a spatula to combine. Coat hands well with cooking spray. Use hands to toss and finish combining. Let the mixture cool for a few minutes, then sprinkle in half of the candy-coated chocolates and mix. Add the remaining chocolates, mixing to combine evenly.
- Divide the mixture into 12 portions (about one cup each). Pat into balls, then flatten slightly, and use a thumb to make a hole in the center, similar to a wreath. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
- To make the bows, cut 12 thin strips (about one-eighth inch thick) from the fruit leather and loop into bows. Place one at the bottom of each wreath.
Movie: The Snowy Day
“Based on the award-winning book by Ezra Jack Keats. Peter goes on a magical, snowy walk to his Nana’s house to bring home their Christmas Eve dinner,” courtesy of imdb.com
Activity: Popsicle Stick Nutcrackers
Supplies:
- Two regular craft sticks ( about four and one-half inches long)
- Eight small craft sticks (about two and one-half inches long)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Craft paint
- Small paint brushes
- Paint pens
- White faux fur
- Twine, ribbon, or string for hanging
Instructions:
- Place the two longest sticks side by side and add hot glue to one small craft stick, then place it on top of the two long sticks, centered and with the top edges lined up. Add hot glue on either side of the small stick and press two more small sticks down, lining up the ends.Glue two small sticks underneath, so they are even with the long sticks, but attached to the three small sticks in front. Place glue along the top edge, then attach three more sticks, lining the bottom edges up, so they are about one-third overlapping the other sticks.
- Once glued together, it is time to add some color and personality. Paint the top of the nutcracker to look like his hat, then leave his face area raw wood. Paint the rest of the nutcracker light green, then when that is dry, add dark green sleeves and a curved area to look like a jacket.
- Using paint pens, add in all the cute details. Add eyes, a nose, and a bushy mustache. Then fill in details like sleeve cuffs, hat bands, and, shoelaces.
- Cut tiny strips of faux fur and hot glue them to the sides of the face area to give the nutcracker some hair. Use hot glue to attach a twine loop onto the back of the nutcracker as an ornament.
Memory: Mrs. Jillian Bozzi
“One of my favorite memories of Christmas is from 2016. It is a picture of my family on Christmas Day, when my boys are ages one and one-half and four. The reason it is such a special memory for me, as it transports me right back to the wonder and love they were expressing in this picture, and the love we have as a family. Experiencing Christmas through the eyes and hearts of a child is pure joy, and it is a memory I hope I hold with me forever.”
Featured Image by Gianna Rodrigues ’27
