It’s December, and thus, the holidays are approaching. Stockings are starting to be hung up, hardware stores are selling themed decorations of all sorts, and houses are being decorated with lights and embellishments to match the spirit. This is the time of year to watch holiday specials, sit by the fire and chat with family or friends, or ski at Greek Peak; the possibilities are endless. Above all, regardless of what you celebrate during this time of the year, there is always one thing that is worth talking about with your friends, family, and anyone else you know well—food.
There are quite a few holiday foods that are quite exceptional. These are some of them, with the following foods presented in an order where they get progressively better as the list continues.
Candy Canes
These are definitely a holiday staple. This is a classic treat not only to encourage you to get into the holiday spirit, but rather, your taste buds as well. The sweet and minty taste makes it feel like you are eating a fresh and crisp reward. Regardless of what you celebrate, these pair with just about every holiday-related festivity. The only downside with these is that they don’t make you feel very cozy. Candy canes are like the winter version of a Fun Dip stick; hard, and lacking an array of flavors. Nonetheless, candy canes are still a notable and fundamental part of the holiday season.
Gumdrops
Gumdrops are chewy and flavorful, without annoyingly sticking to your teeth. As a plus, they go exceptionally well with gingerbread houses, another seasonal activity for this time of year. I know this may not be an exclusive holiday food, but still, these have become a common association with the holidays, which is why they are featured in this article. However, gumdrops have a similar problem as candy canes: they don’t make you feel fuzzy next to the fire as you watch Home Alone after you come home from snowboarding. Otherwise, these candies can be fun to eat and put you into a festive mood.
Hot Chocolate
Yes, I know, this is not a food; it’s a drink. However, that fact doesn’t stop it from making the list. Hot chocolate is not only a holiday favorite, but a winter favorite. It warms you up, so you can enjoy your favorite winter activities without shivering in between. You can also decorate hot chocolate with any topping you desire: whipped cream, a dash of sugar, some extra chocolate bars, marshmallows, and more. Additionally, this treat has a trait that candy canes and gumdrops lack: it makes you feel cozy on the couch during a cold winter night, relaxing you from any stress the holidays may bring.
Hot chocolate, however, does have its own problems. Its degree of coziness is still less than my number one choice. Also, sometimes it can be hard to drink since the chocolate is too hot. As you drink the piping hot beverage straight off the stove in your favorite mug, you may find yourself struggling to not burn yourself as the liquid comes closer to your mouth.
Freshly Baked or Microwaved Chocolate Chip Cookies That Are Perfectly Warm and Sweet
Without a doubt, chocolate chip cookies likely bring back some sort of nostalgic memory, even if it’s one not during the holiday season. Sometimes they are so warm and soft that they just melt in your mouth, bringing back memories of your childhood. It solves every problem that every other holiday food in this article has. They are sticky and sweet, and they’re not as piping hot as hot chocolate is, so you don’t have to worry about having a fire rage in your mouth when you take a bite out of it. These also make you feel super cozy. As it snows during a dark, frigid night and you are eating these straight from the oven, in front of the fire, next to your loved ones with the lights slightly dim with your favorite holiday movie on screen, you’re bound to feel immensely relaxed, and filled with the warmth and adoration of the holidays.
I get that there could be contrasting thoughts with my choices for the best foods of this season. Maybe gumdrops and candy canes make you feel more cozy than hot chocolate. Maybe you absolutely hate chocolate chip cookies, hot chocolate, or even every holiday food on this list. Whether you agree or disagree, however, I wish you a very happy holiday season, no matter what you celebrate. I also would like to encourage you to spend time with your loved ones. Carve out time to watch holiday specials together, do some sledding, coax your parents into baking chocolate chip cookies together, or eat other foods mentioned in this article to make this a jolly season you’ll never forget. Happy holidays!