Au revoir Halloween, we have officially entered the festive season. People will disagree on when it’s appropriate to start celebrating the holidays: November 1st, the day after Thanksgiving, or December 1st? Personally, I like to start after Thanksgiving, but to each their own. Whether you prefer a minimalist look or decorating like the Griswolds, we can all agree that food is crucial for a successful holiday season.
If you are a novice or seasoned chef, there are so many recipes you can make this winter. Which makes it a great time to hone in on your cooking skills. Of course, cooking is not everyone’s cup of tea (or hot cocoa), but it is a great way to bond with others. Food brings people together because you get to celebrate your culture or expand your palette of other cultures’ cuisines.
For those who see cooking more as a chore than a hobby, it can still be fun! As above, cooking with a group can make it go by quicker and create long-lasting memories. If you are solo, you don’t have to cook in silence; cooking allows you to multitask. While your meal is in the oven, microwave, or cooking slowly on the stove, that is a great time to call someone, catch up on a show, or listen to music and have a mini dance party.
Holiday cooking is a big task because it can take many hours compared to your 15-minute girl dinner. Well, you are in luck because we have got you covered with a five-hour Spotify holly and jolly no-skip playlist, and it is guaranteed humbug-proof. Your spirits will stay high while you host gingerbread house competitions, cook your assigned holiday feast item, or if your social battery is low.
This playlist has all the holiday staples like “All I Want for Christmas,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of Year,” and “(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays.” I went with the classic (or “oldies”) versions of the songs, and aimed for a nostalgic vibe to remind you of holiday parties when you were a kid and asking the mall Santa for a pet cow (true story). As an avid jazz and Peanuts fan, I had to add songs by Vince Guaraldi (“Linus and Lucy” anyone?), Etta James, and Frank Sinatra. Don’t worry, modern hits like Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe” and Tyler, The Creator’s “Lights On” are included, but expect a calmer playlist to unwind and relax while you cook. This playlist does not have to be strictly for cooking, you can blast it while you decorate or while you have to manually check every bulb on your string of lights–everyone’s favorite part of decorating.