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

Song: “Last Christmas” performed by Wham! 

Recipe: White Chocolate Truffles  

• Total Time
  • Three hours 
• Makes
  • 36 servings 
• Ingredients
  • One-half cup plus nine tablespoons of heavy cream, divided
  • 32 Speculoos cookies (such as Biscoff), finely crushed (two and one-half cups crumbs)
  • One (11-ounce) bag plus three cups of white chocolate chips, divided
  • Two ounces of cream cheese, room temperature

    

  • Holly sprinkles, for decorating
• Steps
  • 1) Heat one-half cup of cream in a medium saucepan over low heat until bubbles form around edges, about one to two, and then remove from heat. Add 11-ounce bag of chips and let sit for two minutes, then whisk until smooth. Whisk in cream cheese. Fold in cookie crumbs until combined. Transfer to a bowl and chill until firm, for minimum two hours or up to overnight. 
  • 2) Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll mixture into tablespoon-sized balls; transfer to baking sheet. Freeze until firm, 35 to 40 minutes. 
  • 3) Microwave remaining nine tablespoons of cream and three cups of chips in a microwave-safe bowl on high for one minute. Whisk until smooth. Dip truffles in melted chocolate, tapping off excess, and place on a prepared baking sheet. Immediately place a holly sprinkle on top; let set.

Movie: A Charlie Brown Christmas

“Timeless proof that you don’t need a big budget to enchant millions, this jazzy, restrained half-hour animated special premiered on TV as Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts became an international sensation in the mid-’60s. It has been a yuletide staple ever since,” courtesy of parade.com.

Craft: Pinecone Christmas Trees 

• Supplies
  • Pinecones
  • Green spray paint
  • Corks
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue gun and hot glue 
  • Miniature wooden stars 
• Instructions
  • 1) Spray paint the outer edges of the pinecone with green spray paint. Make it look like a real tree by leaving the inside brown. Let the paint dry.
  • 2) Cut a wine cork in half and hot glue it to the bottom of the pinecone. Let the glue dry.
  • 3) Hot glue the star to the top. Let it dry.

Memory: Mr. Joseph Valentine, Upper School History Teacher 

“Every Christmas Eve, my kids, wife and I read ‘The Night Before Christmas’ before we go to bed.  My two boys get to sleep in the same bed, wearing the same style pajamas the Elf brought them on the day after Thanksgiving.  On Christmas morning, my kids run into our bedroom (not before 6:00 a.m.), and the four of us march down the stairs in height order to the living room, where the Christmas tree is.  My kids get excited to see what Santa has left for them, but before they open their presents, they sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Jesus and we give thanks for the abundance of blessings that have been bestowed upon us.  After that, my wife and I get the enjoyment of seeing the excitement on our boys’ faces on Christmas morning.”

Featured image by Caroline Baranello ’20