He says wiiii, she says ugggg, I say DANCE-BAKE!

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

That too-full-but-oh-so-happy feeling

 

Today we give thanks… for about five minutes. Then we dive into third helpings of mashed potatoes and devour one too many slices of pumpkin pie. I’m talking about concentrated indulgence. Who can resist the unique flavors and time-tested consistency of each and every dish; from the kick in our sausage stuffing, to the new twist on apple pie, and of course the always delicious “green stuff?” For 21 years I’ve had the same thought, “that green stuff looks disgusting,” but each year, time and again, I end up relenting, “what IS this, and why is it soooo amazing???”

I think the varied traditions and new innovation of a modern Thanksgiving feast fits in well with mainstream music. First of all, there are a lot of Turkeys out there. (Sean Kingston????) We’re also seeing a lot of musicians bringing fresh people to the table, from different cultures and with different experiences to put together completely new and delicious sounds. For this, the ears of America and the world are very thankful.

I for one will try a helping of anything once. How else do you get to taste that new twist in the apple pie? For me this month its “As I Am” from Alicia Keys. Her music, inspired, this new album, amplified brilliance. She takes her vocals to an alternate level without leaving her core fans behind. Her hit, “No One,” even played during a set at a Dub Reggae night I recently attended. She’s pop, she’s soul, she’s jazz, she’s reggae. You can’t put your finger on the secret ingredient, but it is tasty.

This afternoon I saw the “green stuff” waiting in the fridge and I frowned. I was sure it was going to taste terrible, as always I was wrong. I feel the same way about T-Pain. I want to hate him SO bad. His voice is always computer enhanced and not all that unique or interesting, but the songs he collaborates on are surefire hits and more catchy than the autumn flu. Right now I’m digging his work on “Kiss Kiss,” with Chris Brown, “Good Life,” with Kanye West, and “Baby Don’t Go” with Fabolous. Like the initial turnoff of a dish that looks like fluffly sewage, T-pain seems awfully unsavory, but goes down real smooth.

I am feverishly looking forward to the full swing of Christmas. I already have my old favorites by my side, Wham’s “Last Christmas,” and Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is You.” I wouldn’t bet against “Love Actually” set to repeat in my DVD player. I also bring with me the new tastes and flavors I’ve explored during these fall months and those dropping just around the corner. Blake Lewis’ debut hits stores as advent calendars start counting down, and I have ADD just thinking about “Audio Day Dream.” The sound is totally unexpected. Like bringing a red curry to your grandma’s Thanksgiving feast. Its going to take over what Timbo and Kanye started this summer and bring pop music into a prolonged stage of euro-pop-dance-late 80′s- early 90′s-throwback anthems. Yum.

Each Thanksgiving I feel free. Free to bask guiltlessly in that too-full-but-oh-so-happy feeling. Free to purchase four weeks of Starbucks red cups while listening to Warm 106.9 Christmas classics. Free to indulge in my favorite artists and wander upon new ones breaking into the mainstream. Which artists will be back to see next year’s Thanksgiving? Who will be vetoed faster than overcooked yams?

I know only two things, 1. I hate overcooked yams. 2. There’s a piece of apple pie waiting for me in the kitchen. I’d better go eat that while I rock out to some Alicia Keys.

Happy Thanksgiving! Let’s indulge.