This weekend I turned the oven and the radio up to high and dance-baked my way around the kitchen. Dance-baking is the newest sensation of the holiday season/my life. First developed in my parent’s kitchen, it’s a guilt free, highly addictive activity with absolutely no cost. All damage from cookie dough consumption cancels itself out upon conclusion of a good music set. Last Sunday, while putting my talent to use rocking out to (what else????) Christmas classics, I received a very rude awakening.
“Christmas music ALREADY??” My dad exclaimed!
“Already?” I replied, clearly put out, “the season is more than half over! Its been practically a month since Starbucks rolled out the red cups, Warm 106.9 has been playing all-Christmas-all-the-time since mid-November, and don’t tell me you forgot our Black Friday outing to Fred Meyer for socks! In other news, Hanukkah starts TUESDAY!”
(At this point I was obviously, and rightfully so, exhausted from all the screaming/dance-baking)
Suffice to say my tirade proved him wrong, or at least shut him up, but I was left wondering, am I alone in all my holiday cheer? A highly scientific survey soon confirmed that I was. Fortunately I’m the kind of girl who sees her Starbucks Eggnog latte half full; while you are just diving into your holiday spirits I already know ALL about what’s sizzling hot this year. Allow me to share my knowledge.
HOTTTT
THE gift for him:
Wii– everyone, I mean EVERYONE wants a Nintendo Wii. I get the appeal; 3-D gaming is pretty much dance-baking for boys. Also, its the only way I’ll ever learn to bowl that perfect game. Looks like Nintendo’s rolled a strike.
THE gift for her:
Uggs- A grandma classic gone avant-garde, everyone from Oprah to my boss wants these crocheted Uggs. To me they look like adult bootees and/or really low leg warmers, but hey, how often do we get to combine comfort and fashion? I’ll take two pairs.
The do-gooder gift:
Kiva.org Gift Certificate- Calling all lazy givers! This year you can be socially responsible without putting ANY time into your gift! The certificates are credits for micro-lending to start-ups in developing nations. The recipient choses the borrower and follows their progress through email. Tip: bring handkerchiefs and prepare to get major points from Grandma… and Oprah.
THE holiday song:
“Ludacrismas” by Ludacris, from Fred Klaus– Here comes Santa Claus…… and his homies! Five words: Instant adult contemporary holiday classic. In a close second, and also my current ring tone: Ashley Tisdale’s “Last Christmas,” although I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a version of this song I don’t like. (Thanks Wham!, ‘Nsync, Cascada and others for years of solid work.)
THE Xmas DVD:
“High School Musical 2” - I could have picked “The Holiday,” or “Love Actually,” but whats more festive than teenagers singing and dancing on summer vacation? Due to Disney refusing to regularly replay this mega-hit, there are some of us (possibly just me, lets be honest), who don’t have it on DVR and have to wait till the Dec 11th drop to get “Fabulous” again with Sharpay. Is that so wrong?
Now get to that shopping! Afterwards hit me up, because Me + You + Dance-bake marathon= JOY
