It's Christmas Time In The City
Well hello there, friends! It’s December 1, officially the Hannukah/Christmas/Kwanzaa/Solstice season, and for the Americans out there, the end of Thanksgiving vacation. Starbucks has holiday drinks (although no sugar-free gingerbread this year, FAIL) and I can finally bust out my favorite holiday playlist, including the Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” and Kay Starr’s “The Man With The Bag.”
This is also, coincidentally, the day I had to turn in my conference paper for the MLA conference later this month. It came out pretty well, I have to say, and I’m really looking forward to presenting it. What does this have to do with anything, you may wonder? Well I’ll tell you: my brain has been so full of my conference paper (on Vladimir Nabokov’s Pale Fire, in case you’re curious) that I have nothing to post today. So I’m going to ask a bunch of random questions, and we can chatter about the holidays in the comments. That sounds like a nice way to ease into the season, right? And this would be a great time to send me tips for my “BFD Tips” folder, so I know what else to write about this week. If you run across anything interesting, shoot it on over to piegirl[at]gmail[dot]com. And now, on to the questions! Answer any or all of them!
How did the food-centric and often fraught Thanksgiving dinner go for you? What’s your favorite holiday song? What are you wearing to your family gathering or company holiday party, and where did you get it? (Our big holiday party is the shindig that my best friend and I throw every year, and I wore this dress from Nordstrom and I looked like this and the sleeve looked kind of like this.) Are you cutting down on your spending this year? What’s a good gift to give to the BFDiva or BFDude in your life? What do you do if you get a sweater that doesn’t fit—and is it worse if it’s too big or too small? What are you asking Santa for? Have you had an eggnog milkshake yet? And what is figgy pudding, anyway?
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Oh man! You HAD to mention eggnog milkshakes! Now I needs one.
My food-centric and often fraught Thanksgiving dinner went surprisingly well. First time ever I lucked out and felt in-control. Unfortunately, I made up for it on Saturday.
And you don’t know what figgy pudding is? Here’s a great recipe if you haven’t tried it:
1 cup figgies
1 cup pudding
Stir. Serve immediately.
Avoiding too much food on Thanksgiving is easy, just belong to a family that hates you and voila, you’re home alone with pasta for dinner. Oh don’t get all sad for me, I kinda prefer it. My favorite holiday song is Silent Night, cliche yes but it’s such a beautiful song and it just warms my soul. Company holiday party is lunch at a sports bar so I’ll do the typical jeans, heels and blouse that I don’t mind ruining if I get a little happy with the Margaritas. That dress from Nordstroms is gorgeous and you are super cute in it. I’m done with my shopping for this Christmas, came to just under $300 total which is about what I usually spend, so no I guess I’m not. Don’t have a BFDude but I do have a guy best friend that I adore and he’ll probably get a book or two from me ’cause he’s a fanatic reader and there just isn’t a better gift. Sweater that doesn’t fit, return it I guess and I have no idea if it’s better to be too big or too small. If it’s just a little on the big side I can still wear it so probably that. Dear Santa: I want a boyfriend. That’s all. Nope not had an eggnog milkshake and I have no idea what figgy pudding is. Whew. That was a lot of questions!
Had the parents and the in-laws for Thanksgiving and everything went well except for the lemon meringue pie, whose meringue separated from the edges. Yummy anyway, just didn’t look fabulous. Favorite holiday song is Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day. I’m much bigger than anyone in my husband’s family, and they never estimated my size correctly; I donated clothing without receipts to Goodwill. A few years ago I finally told them that clothing was not a good choice for me, etiquette be darned. No eggnog milkshakes yet, but we love the new specialty flavors from Hood – sugar cookie eggnog is our favorite.
Most important first: figgy pudding is English (or British) Christmas Pudding. Essentially steamed fruitcake, made with lots of of brandy. From experience I know this sounds disgusting to most Americans, but it’s delicious, if very heavy.
What a warm and fuzzy post! Thanks for something fun to do on a Monday afternoon.
TG dinner went extremely well — it was my first vegan Thanksgiving, and my mom prepared special dishes for me. It was very sweet, and the wine just topped off a wonderful evening with my siblings and parents. I’d say my favorite holiday song is “Angels on High” (is that the right title?), or the Chestnuts song, just because I experience such acute nostalgia upon hearing it. The next thing I’m wearing to my family/friend get-together is this wonderful wool shirt/turtleneck/dress thing with brown tights and low cream-colored heels. It’s very wintry and lovely.
I give away clothed that don’t fit, always. Because it’s a gift, and it’s occasionally a hit, I don’t mind paying it forward in the event it doesn’t work out. I bought my guy a big comfy zip-up he’s been continually wishing for, but we agreed that our NYC trip would be gift enough for both of us. I am DEFINITELY cutting down on spending, and consequently, I am preparing delicious vegan baked goods (without telling anyone they’re vegan) for Christmas presents. Save for the best friends and family, the other people in my life will be receiving tasty festively wrapped treats.
I don’t drink eggnog but I just got my hands on an espresso machine — so the chai lattes are coming on out!
Your dress looks fabulous, by the way. Very festive and all various sorts of knock-out-ery.
I cooked for my boyfriend and his family. None of us are petite (my guy is the smallest, and he’s still a nice cuddly size) so there is no food guilt. Turkey, dressing(I’m Southern), stuffing, southwestern green bean casserole, gravy, pecan pie, pumpkin-gingersnap cheesecake, and lots of double-sugar homemade whipped cream. The worst thing that happened was my bf’s dad ate the fried onions I made for the green beans.
Favorite holiday song? I used to love sleigh ride, but years of performing it in band/chorus killed me. I like Lo, How a Rose. It’s pretty.
I’m wearing a red strapless jersey knit dress from Old Navy’s plus size website that I just got. It’s pretty, and totally unlike anything I’ve ever worn. YAY!
My friends and family tend to get me gift cards to my favorite stores, so the awkward “Oh, this doesn’t really fit” scenes are avoided, which is nice.
I love Christmas, but refuse to decorate for it until the middle of the month.
Thanksgiving was better when I ate the leftovers yesterday honestly. Nothing better than twice baked stuffing. No? Ok, maybe I’m weird. I have been indulging in the Starbucks holiday espresso truffle, though. It’s amazing.
As far as Christmas parties, I am luckily “blessed” to have have boring friends who will probably do nothing and I won’t have to buy anything to wear. Good thing because shopping is getting expensive this year. I feel like I always have one more person to buy for, but never lose a person. As far as people getting gifts for me, I tend to get clothes that are too small. For example on my birthday someone got me a size medium hoodie from Charlotte Russe. I love my friends, but I don’t know what they are trying to say to me with that. I’m 5’4″ and 180. That doesn’t even look like a normal people medium let alone a Charlotte Russe medium.
Anyway I’m now off to contemplate where to get that 1 cup of figgies mentioned in the first comment so that I might make and sing about figgy pudding.
How did the food-centric and often fraught Thanksgiving dinner go for you?
Wonderful. Not fraught at all, because Spouse and I spend it with our best married couple friends, who are also his brother and sister-in-law. Fabulous food, wine, conversation, plus cuddly dogs and a crackling fire. And 45 minutes from our house to theirs. What’s not to love?
What’s your favorite holiday song?
Christmas is all about the “Cs” for me—cookies, carols, and cards. So I collect Christmas music CDs, and love them all so much that I don’t really have a favorite. Although “Silver Bells” comes close.
What are you wearing to your family gathering or company holiday party, and where did you get it?
No company party. As for family, we’re an informal lot, so jeans from Catherine’s and a sweater from ShopKo will do nicely.
Are you cutting down on your spending this year?
Yes, but more in deference to others. My whole family is cutting down, and Spouse’s family has some currently unemployed members.
What’s a good gift to give to the BFDiva or BFDude in your life?
Not sure what that means? But I’m getting my best friends there favorite thing—we’ll all go out on the town in January, my treat.
What do you do if you get a sweater that doesn’t fit—and is it worse if it’s too big or too small?
No one would ever, ever dream of buying me clothes. I’ve trained them much too well. At this point, I’m not sure how I’d react if they did!
What are you asking Santa for?
An ottoman. And the media tower that matches our new TV stand.
Have you had an eggnog milkshake yet?
Why, yes. Actually my first one in several years—and about the only thing that can drag my ass to McD’s.
And what is figgy pudding, anyway?
If I have to describe it, I’d say it makes me think of a cross between a fruit cake, a carrot cake, and a baked custard. Also, it’s a suet-packed calorie-bomb if it is done correctly.
re: the cookies I mentioned–baking, not eating. I don’t really like to eat cookies.
Er!
I’m falling afoul of blog etiquette here, because I know we don’t, like, actually know each other or anything crazy like that, but…you’re an academic? You work on Nabokov? You’re going to MLA? And I’ve been reading you for, lo, these many years and didn’t know that? Is it stalkery if I ask when your session is? (Okay, I know I could actually just read the program, but maybe that would be stalkery too?)
Anyway, fellow academic here (I teach English at a public university in NC), fellow Nabokov fan though I haven’t read him for way too long, fellow struggler with issues of weight (d’uh), and I’d kind of like to try to lurk in the back of your session, if scheduling allows and if that’s not stalkery. If it is, say so, and I won’t do it. And good luck with your session!
PS. Favorite carol, at the moment, is Gloucestershire Wassail. Sample: “The good dog of Lankford, he burnt his long tail/ And this is the night we go singing wass hail…” Close seconds are “The Bitter Withy,” almost unfindable, and “Good King Wenceslas.” I like ’em old and weird.
Cat, I shot you an e-mail about MLA. But yes, I teach English part time at a local college, and have written a couple of papers now on Nabokov!
To clarify Figgy Pudding is actually the “white” version of Christmas Pudding aka Plum Pudding (mo i’m pretty sure you’ve sampled this back in the day via the Smith house). Figgy Pudding is actually more porridge like but very similar to Christmas pudding, which in my experience either you hate it or you love it. The only reason to eat it in my opinion is for the amazing custard sauce and of course the sixpence hidden inside that grants the receiver good luck for the new year! If you have a local import shop or english shop you can get both of these items, which much like the rest of British food, comes in a can of some form. Pick up a Plum Pudding, some Birds Custard, some Yorkshire Pudding mix (this is not sweet or pudding like and I have no idea why it’s called “pudding”) and some Christmas Crackers (note these are not edible) and you’ll have your very own British Christmas. Happy Christmas!
We went out of state to visit my mom’s siblings, my first time seeing them in about ten years (!!!). My fat mom, fat self, fat uncle, two fat aunts, two fat cousins, and fat cousin’s fat girlfriend got together and ate and enjoyed good food. They approved of my (not fat, but getting chunkier as he gets older) husband. An advertisement came on the radio or television (I forget which) about how the OBEEEEESITY EPIDEMMMMMMIC could be solved in kids by simply getting them out of the house, and one of my aunts made a snide comment about that.
See, my uncle played football for the army and was a boy scout leader until age and illness (including post-polio syndrome) put an end to that. He was EXTREMELY active as a young person and as an adult, with long hikes, bow hunting, fishing, skiing, sports playing, etc being a super common part of his life. He was fat the entire time. His sons, also incredibly active, were also fat kids and teenagers and now adults. One of his fat sons played baseball in a league that wound up travelling the world, competing.
Obviously, simply getting the kids out of the house didn’t magically cure their fattiness.
I absolutely was not expecting that kind of snide self awareness, as I’m so used to almost everyone around me demonizing food and blaming fatness on lifestyle. It was kind of awesome.
One of my favorite lnes ever is from Nabokov:
“Look at this tangle of thorns.”
Christ, that’s a beautiful line. Cried when i read it.
TG was cool. Went with the girlfriend to Golden Coral, which was something of a mistake, but I refused to let it get me down. (Lots of older white guys complaining about not having enough mashed potatoes and that the kitchen crew was non-English speaking.
I have a four-way tie for favorite Christmas song: Carol of the Bells (I love the dangerous, foreboding sound of that song. Forshadows the crucifixion in my imagination) O Holy Night; Silent Night, sung in German; and The Holly and the Ivy.
Never had eggnog milkshake, and damn your eyes for bringing it up, mo pie!
Figgy Pudding is a moist cake soaked with brandy. Love it.
I get gift cards, not clothes. Which I love.
Thanksgiving rocked this year. We spent the meal and the ensuing evening with a bunch of talented musicians, ate at a table where nobody said a word about diets, teh obeeeesitty epidemmmmmmick, or the moral weight of food. Afterwards, there was a big jam session. Mr. Twistie played a lot of Gershwin tunes on the piano and I did my infamous Grace Slick impression. Both were received very well. And of course I had baked enough pumpkin pie that I was able to start the next three days with a slice for breakfast.
I don’t work in an office, so I don’t have to come up with an outfit proper enough for an office party. I will, however, wear my most magnificent gown to the annual party some friends of ours throw. It’s a soft, mauve stretch velvet underdyed with garnet red, so it shimmers in pretty colors in the lights. It has long sleeves and laces up the front. Depending on taste, you can pull it tight or wear it slightly open down almost to the navel. Yes, it made a bit of a sensation when I wore it last year. I’ll probably wear it for New Year’s Eve, too.
I’m trying to keep all the Christmas pressies under $20 apiece this year. We need to replace the gutters on the house.
Best gifts for Divas and Dudes? Is the thing that will make them smile, which depends entirely on the person in question. Jewelry, music, clothes, books, movies, wine, homemade cookies, kitchen gadgets, computer games…it’s all a matter of coming up with something to please the person receiving it.
I’d rather get a piece of clothing that’s too big than too small. If it’s a sweater or a robe, you can just cuddle up in the extra fabric. If it’s a skirt, you can have it taken in. If it’s too small, it doesn’t matter what it is because you can’t wear it, anyway. Most of my friends don’t give me clothes, but when they do they tend to get it in the right ballpark, at any rate. Besides, it’s usually tee shirts and sweaters which, as I said, are okay if they’re a little oversized.
Favorite carol? Probably the Christ Child Lullaby. It humanizes the story, which always appeals to me. Also, the only rendition I’ve heard recorded (by the Clancy Brothers) has Ullian bagpipes on it, which is something I love.
@Cindy: did you know the Carol of the Bells started life as a Russian folk song? It was about a farmer feeling sad that winter was going on and on when suddenly he sees a bird fly by and becomes hopeful for the return of spring.
No eggnog shakes for me. I don’t do Micky D’s. I will, however, be moseying over to Peets later this week to see what holiday goodies they have in store for me. Seems to me there was an eggnog latte last year that appealed strongly to my tastebuds.
My Thanksgiving was great. I went to my aunt by marriage’s house, and there wasn’t one conversation about dieting and being bad that I heard. I actually don’t eat a lot on Thanksgiving, because a few slices of turkey with stuffing fills me up. But what I had was very tasty. My family is not that weight-consicous, and I really don’t get ribbed about my size.
My workplace is a small nonprofit; there are just four of us so we don’t go out and have a Christmas party. We just have a potluck and eat in the office and exchange gifts, and invite our homeless families for goodies. This will take place on Christmas Eve day, so I will wear jeans and a festive top. I will be going to the same aunt’s house on December 20 for an annual get-together with our Birthday group so I’ll probably wear something dressier. Not sure yet what that will be.
As for Christmas songs, I don’t have a particular favorite, but I never get tired of hearing “Gabriel’s Message” by Sting (one you hardly ever hear), Annie Lennox’s version of “Winter Wonderland,” “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway, “Last Christmas” by Wham, and “Celebrate Me Home” by Kenny Loggins, Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Carol of the Bells,” and “Same Auld Lang Syne” by Dan Fogelberg. However, Beyonce and Jessica Simpson should be banned from singing Christmas songs. They ruin every one they do with their wailing like they’re having their rectums examined.
I thought I’d share, that I found it interesting they have in the Tinker Bell game I bought for Nintendo DS, the fairies were all celebrating the Winter Solstice.
It’s really cool of Disney to make Wicca more mainstream as a religion, or at least give kids who’s families participate in it a game that they can relate to.
I honestly, wonder how Disney is not going to upset Christians with this game, boy fairies, magic, and now aspects of the Wiccan religion in Tinker Bell for Nintendo DS. I mean, I really do think they’re brave for releasing a game that has aspects to it that are not mainstream. I just hope they’re prepared for the inevitable backlash that it will cause kids to fall in league with Satan, and so forth.
Sorry if I offended anyone who’s Christian, I mean only the people who are like, the Christians who bother everyone else with their religion in a bad way.
Thanksgiving went great, went to a friend’s house for dinner, since none of us could be home, made sweet potato pie, and cornbread to add to the feast, we ate, drank and played video games. No diet talk, much amiable screaming and swearing though, thanks to the whole video game thing.
Christmas music…I’d have to say Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas Eve Sarajevo” (It’s the one that’s “Carol of the Bells” and “We Three Kings” mixed) “Santa Baby” as long as it isn’t by Madonna, and “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” the one from the cartoon.
I have a feeling I’m going to get drug to my husband’s squadron christmas party thing, no clue what I’m wearing though, last year I wore a black leather corset over a black button up shirt with a black velvet skirt, with my trusty Dr. Martin boots…
Most people quit buying me clothes, after some seriously horrible gifts with no attention to my personal tastes, that I accepted graciously, then returned. And I’ll send my size/measurements to anyone who wants to buy me clothes. Normally it’s just my mom who buys me clothes, and she’s really good at getting the right size and style even without my help.
And I have to say, best gift, really depends on the person, though thoughtfull gift cards are always great, you know, ones for stores they actually shop at.
Oh and on Winter Solstice being used in a Disney game, it was probably a choice to keep the game non-religious, because while Winter Solstice IS celebrated by Wiccans/Pagans you need to keep in mind, it’s also just the changing of the seasons. A lot of non-religious people celebrate the solistice rather than Christmas, because celebrating longer days and the promises of warmer weather works well for people who don’t believe in a god, but like the celebration. That said, any Christian that would assume that the Solstice in a video game would make their children fall in league with Satan, would probably be offended by fairies too, just like the same set is offended by Dungeons and Dragons, Magic the Gathering, Harry Potter, and any other fantasy game, movie, and/or book for promoting witchcraft.
My thanksgiving was the best, most mindful one I’ve had in years! I cooked, but didn’t try to do everything myself and did a lot ahead of time. As a result, I was able to relax and enjoy my company, eat mindfully and enjoy every bite, and relax after dinner feeling pleasantly satisfied, rather than stuffed.
My bf and I totally made kickass eggnog milkshakes at home the other night… delish! :)
DaniFae, thanks for your post. I didn’t realize that celebrating the seasons was considered as an alternative to religion, as well as being a part of the Wiccan/Pagan religion.
I also am familiar with Christians dislike of magic things. There was a deal with them regarding Pokemon for a similar reason. I think the issue with Harry Potter was probably the most publicized item they had a disliking of.
I mean, it’s confusing cause if Jesus turned water into wine, and made fish and bread appear from nowhere, isn’t that magic?
Jackie
How did the food-centric and often fraught Thanksgiving dinner go for you?
Eh. I come from a skinny family that eats a lot, so we generally do not have food issues. My aunts comment quietly on the few who are not skinny (and by that I mean, mostly average. My family is really skinny), and I was really too mild in my ‘not all people are supposed to be skinny’ approbation. I suck. And Ashley and Chrissy, I’m sorry.
What’s your favorite holiday song?
The little drummer boy is so sweet. And I’m Jewish.
What are you wearing to your family gathering or company holiday party, and where did you get it?
I don’t know. I have a lot of worky things to attend, as always, and because of that I have a pretty big cocktail dress stash. I’ll see how I feel.
Are you cutting down on your spending this year?
No, but I’m trying to get people non-frivolous things like ‘bottomless cup of coffee/tea/soda for all of 2009’ for starving grad students.
What’s a good gift to give to the BFDiva or BFDude in your life?
I’m making all of the inner circle elaborate headbands.
What do you do if you get a sweater that doesn’t fit—and is it worse if it’s too big or too small?
Both equally bleah. I guess you could shrink too large.
What are you asking Santa for?
I already got a new snowboard for my birthday, so new skis.
Have you had an eggnog milkshake yet?
I think all of those things are so yucky (Starbucks drinks, et c.), I can’t even think about it.
And what is figgy pudding, anyway?
I know the figgy pudding thing. Because my husband was British. Not a fan of it.
Ah the holidays. My favorite song is definitely Silver Bells. It is the only song my dad ever would sing and so it holds a certain special and masculine sort of festivity for me. And reminds me of snowy city streets. I am just making people little gift bags for X-mas with homemade lotions, little books of my favorite quotes, funny little things…it’s all I can afford.
Love the dress by the way!
jh
bodaweightloss
Jackie–
When Jesus does that sort of stuff, it’s called a miracle. when someone else of a non-Christian, non-Divine nature does it, it’s a Hell-worthy trespass.
As someone who’s grown up surrounded by crazy Southern Baptists, the reason I love my church (I’m Anglican) is that on our church loaning library shelf we have a mix of religious books right next to all Harry Potter books, and (this cracks me up) The Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman. So saying “Christians hate magic” is one of those bothersome stereotypes that, well, bothers me, even though I grew up being told that I was going to hell because my mother practiced Wicca. Those people aren’t Christian… they’re assholes.
Also… we’re doing a Christmas potluck, and one of our British members is bringing figgy pudding. So that will be interesting for the people who’ve never had it before.
Given that I adore figs, and heavy sweet things, I may have to do some food playing. Especially if there is some good homemade custard sauce involved. I have a dark and dangerously deep love for good custard.
No Thanksgiving here, though I am all for the notion of giving thanks. I am getting fed up with pre-Christmas whinging.
My favourite carol is “It came upon a midnight clear”. Can’t say I stir a heartbeat for any of the commercial ones, though the Waitresses’ Christmas Wrapping is fun.
Not going to any Christmas parties that I know of, but I’m going to a wedding on Saturday and wearing a top and skirt both from Monsoon, which is expensive, but curve-friendly. (I own them both already, though.) For Christmas I’ll be getting mostly books, and a few clothes I pick out myself. Too big is definitely preferable to too small, but I don’t believe I’ve ever received anything that actually didn’t fit. Didn’t suit me, maybe.
Janny – “Christians hate magic” bothers me, too, speaking as one who probably owns more fantasy novels than anyone she knows. (I’m very liberal. And British.) There are plenty of other stereotypes that also bother me, but this is not the time or place for a big rant!
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