During the twelve days until Christmas Break the King Street Chronicle will present staff favorites from the holiday season. This second edition will not include two turtle doves but beloved Christmas songs, movies, recipes, quotes, and festivities.
Song of the day: “Merry Christmas (War is Over)” – John Lennon
Movie of the day: The Polar Express
The Polar Express is an animated movie musical based on the children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg. Curl up with a mug of hot chocolate and watch the heartfelt story of a young boy’s adventure on a magical train to the North Pole.
Recipe of the day: Christmas Crunch Funfetti Popcorn
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of popcorn kernels or 2 bags of pre-popped popcorn
1 bag of white chocolate chips
1 bag of pretzels
1 bag of green and red Christmas M&Ms
Green, red, and white sprinkles
Steps:
- Break the pretzels into small pieces.
- Mix the M&Ms and the pretzel pieces with the popcorn in a large bowl.
- Melt the white chocolate in a microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
- Drizzle the chocolate over the mixture and stir until the mixture is evenly coated in chocolate.
- Lay the popcorn onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.
- Spread the sprinkles on top and let the chocolate set for about five minutes.
- When the chocolate has hardened, break the popcorn into pieces and store in an airtight container
DIY of the day: Tassel Garland
Supplies:
Red, gold, and green tissue paper (each piece makes four tassels for the garland)
Scissors
Tape
String
Steps:
- Fold one piece of tissue paper in half lengthwise.
- Fold the paper width-wise twice.
- Cut the paper starting at the bottom unfolded side stopping two inches from the top fold.
- Unfold the paper once and cut in half lengthwise; then unfold all the pieces of paper.
- There will be one piece twice the size of the other two, cut that piece in half, there should now be four equal pieces of tissue paper with slits on two sides.
- Take one of the pieces and positions it so the cuts are to the right and left of the piece.
- Roll the paper lengthwise twist the center into a loop.
- Use tape to secure the loop in place.
- Repeat this with all the other pieces of tissue paper to create the tassels.
- Thread and tie all the tassels onto a piece of string to finish the garland.
Quote of the day: “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” – Hamilton Wright Mabie
Festivities around the world: Strasbourg, France
This bustling city is the home to the very first and oldest traditional Christmas market, which first appeared in 1570 as “Christkindelsmärik,” or Market of the Infant Jesus. Strasbourg’s annual Christmas market opened November 31 and closes December 24. During this time, it hosts more than 300 festive stalls selling goods ranging from traditional Christmas decorations to food and drinks, to gifts. Each year, Strasbourg invites a special guest country to represent its culture and set up stalls at the market. For 2016, the guest of honor is Portugal.
The city also hosts an Aqua-Symphony. This trendy event features a water and light show of multi-color lasers, 18 musicians, video projections, and indoor fireworks. Strasbourg also marks the Christmas season by putting up a traditional Great Christmas Tree in the city center. This 30-meter tree towers above the city and is adorned with colorful lights, lanterns, and ornaments. At the heart of the festivities, stands the Strasbourg Cathedral and a large display of the Nativity to remind readers of the true meaning of Christmas.
– Daisy Steinthal, Staff Writer and Nina Rosenblum, Staff Writer