We’ve almost made it! We’re in the home stretch of 2018, the holidays are fast approaching, and the New Year is almost upon us. We know the last month of the year always goes by in a flurry, and it can be easy to let the days escape you, but have no fear! December’s guide will revamp your motivation, and help you soak in the last days of 2018.
Activities
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know everyone’s New Year’s Resolution is to be more active, but why not start now?! We have just the activities to get you moving this holiday season.
Get Active: Snow Excuses
Grab your trusty skates or rent a pair, and hit the ice (no, not literally, it may be slippery -- so try not to fall!) There’s something special about skating in the crisp night air under the stars, but if swimming is a more realistic option where you’re from, check out Rink Finder to find the closest indoor arena to you. Skating can be a daunting task to those who are not well acquainted with the sport, find adult skating classes near you!
If you’re not afraid of the cold and you live in the right climate, snowshoeing is an amazing winter outdoor activity. Buy a pair of snowshoes (or rent them from your local rec center) and go on an adventure! Great photo-ops along the way too! Need more info before taking the plunge? Check out this first-timer’s guide.
Walk/Drive Around to See the Lights: All Light Long
Holiday lights are right up there with fall foliage for the best views of the year. If your neighbors love to go all out, consider taking an evening stroll to see the festive decor. Nowhere worth gawking at nearby? Take a drive to the town center or another neighborhood with more to take in. The twinkly lights and beautiful displays are sure to get you in a cheery mood!
Crafts
Whether you're looking for a fun and easy decoration or a beautiful homemade gift, we’ve got you covered.
Paper Snowflakes
Right Click to Download FableVision’s Snowflake Template
"To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold."
The age-old classic doesn’t have to be so simple! Paper snowflakes can be beautiful, intricate designs that will spruce up any dorm room or party space! Check out these templates for a more mature version of a childhood favorite. After they’re cut out, leave them blank for a classic version, or add glitter and decoration.
Or, add a New Years spin to your snowflakes and write some early resolutions to keep you motivated throughout this last month of 2018 and get you excited for the year to come. It’s a snow-brainer!
Cinnamon Stick Candle
This candle makes a great homemade gift for a loved one (or for yourself. Plus, it’ll make your house smell amazing). All you need is a pillar candle, a glue gun and glue sticks, some cinnamon sticks, and an optional ribbon to finish it off. Anyone can do it! Here’s how:
Get a candle and some cinnamon sticks from your local grocery or gift store. Think about how far up you want the cinnamon sticks to reach when deciding on a candle.
Plug in your glue gun to get it ready to go! If doing this with children, make sure there is adult supervision! The glue guns can get extremely hot.
Cut the cinnamon sticks to your desired height. Put them up against your candle to see if you prefer them to go all the way up , ¾ the way up, or half way up. All are great options that are sure to delight!
Put a thin line of glue on each cinnamon stick and adhere them to the candle.
(Optional) Grab some twine, a ribbon, or some raffia to tie around your candle creation.
Before burning, place on a coaster or dish under your candle to ensure there will be no messes. Now you have a beautiful centerpiece or gift, perfect for all occasions!
Recipe
Oh no! You got invited to a last minute holiday party but don’t want to show up empty handed? Store bought cookies can’t always cut it. Have no fear, we have a personal favorite recipe from Jen’s friends, the Stark family, that is sure to be a crowd favorite. Cracker candy is a holiday treat that everyone will love, with it’s chewy texture and sweet and salty flavor combo! And the best part, it only takes 20 minutes to make and about an hour to cool!
INGREDIENTS:
1 ½ sleeves of saltine crackers
2 ½ sticks of salted butter
1 cup brown sugar
14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
1 bag dark chocolate chips
Optional: Sea salt, toffee pieces, crushed candy canes, crushed oreos
INSTRUCTIONS:
Line a ridged pan with parchment paper and preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
Place crackers flat on pan covering it entirely
Melt ½ stick of butter in a pan and pour over crackers
Melt the remaining 2 sticks of butter in a pan on medium/low and stir in 1 cup brown sugar. Continue stirring over heat until bubbly
Remove from heat and add condensed milk, stir until well combined and pour over crackers.
Put in the oven for 8 minutes, until bubbly but not burnt
Remove the tray and allow to cool for a few minutes before sprinkling chocolate chips on top. Once melted slightly, spread chocolate chips over the entire tray. Add any desired toppings (we chose toffee pieces and sea salt, but the cracker candy is completely delicious as is!)
Allow to cool completely, then cut into pieces for serving. Enjoy!
Movies
Snow day has you stuck inside? We have the perfect movies to keep you cheery while you wait out the storm!
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
“It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags,” because it came on Netflix. The love and joy surrounding the holiday season is enough to make anyone’s heart swell (or grow three sizes…) and what better way to enjoy the last month of 2018 than with a classic movie filled with laughs, that reminds you that the true meaning of the holidays doesn’t come from the store. Now with three options of which version you want to watch, the 1966 animated original, the 2000 live action, or the newest version, which came out just a month ago, there’s a Grinch movie for any movie watcher!
Balto
In a heroic tale based on a true story, Balto, a Siberian husky-wolf hybrid, leads his team of dogs through the Iditarod trail during an alaskan blizzard. Balto braves the storm and races time because his town of Nome experiences a health epidemic and medicine is needed as soon as possible. Traveling through the cold, Balto and his team encounter many dangers, but also some friends along the way. This high-stake adventurous tale will have you on the edge of your seat. Bundle up and get ready to watch Balto, the dog who will do anything to help his community and save the people he loves!
There’s snow easy way to say it, but this is the final installment of the Seasonal Survival Guide series. Thank you to our devoted readers (hi Mom!) and keep checking the InternVision blog for more amazing intern projects in the future!
Jen Jordan and Yasmine Ebeed’s Seasonal Survival Guide is an independent project of FableVision’s Fall 2018 Marketing Interns. Apply to join our team at www.fablevisionstudios.com/jobs-internships.