Favorite Snow Activity
Payton: Ice Skating
When it gets cold enough for the ice rinks to start coming out, I know it is my favorite time of the year. Ice skating is definitely one of my favorite snow activities, although I may not be the best at it. Getting together with friends and family and going out to an outdoor ice skating rink is guaranteed to be a good time. My favorite outdoor rink near Littleton is the Downtown Denver Rink because of the holiday lights all around and the fun city atmosphere while skating. Admission is free, and the cost to rent skates is at most $11. It’s a fun and affordable family activity.
Sara: Sledding
My favorite activity every year is when a small group of friends and I grab a couple of sleds and walk to a hill behind my house. Laughter fills the air as we race down the hill, ignoring the cold and mud and the possibility of ramming into cattails at the bottom of the hill. I love feeling the wind on my face while racing down the hill and over the hand-made ramps, topped with a cool splattering of snow at the end. Not to mention the laughter and memories shared with the people I sled with, normally only one or two, but enough to be laughing until our bodies go numb from the cold, despite wearing several layers.
Top Item on Christmas List
Payton: Tasman Ugg Slippers
The top item on my Christmas list has to be some Tasman Ugg slippers. These have definitely been more trendy lately, and UGG’s are coming back in style. I am definitely a slipper lover, and though these feel like slippers when you’re wearing them, they have a very durable sole that can make them last longer. I go through slippers extremely fast, and I feel like these will be my forever slippers. While UGG Tasmans are a little more on the pricey side, the longevity of them can make it worth the price. You can find these on Amazon.com as well as many other online and in-person stores.
Sara: New piercing jewelry
Though decreasing in length every year, a new pack of earrings for my piercings is at the very top of my Christmas list. I’ve been wearing the same ones for years, and I’d love an upgrade. The main reason why I haven’t bought them myself is because I’m worried that the material won’t be completely silver or titanium like I need, otherwise the skin around my piercings turns green because of the nickel. Another difficulty is finding earrings for each piercing (10). If I split it up, multiple people could get just one and save money while crossing me off their list of people to buy for. A total win-win!
Favorite Holiday Tradition
Payton: Christmas Eve with family
The best part of Christmas for me has to be Christmas Eve with my family. We gather together, have a nice dinner, and then everyone opens presents that they got from our aunts and grandma. The adults also have to play White Elephant, and it’s always interesting to see who ends up with what gift. There is a lot of laughing and good energy; this is what Christmas is about to me.
Sara: Making Cookies
My favorite family tradition since I was a kid has been making Christmas cookies with my family. We normally get together and make chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, and sugar cookies cut into different holiday-based shapes. After they’re cooked and cooled, we decorate the cookies with homemade royal icing and sprinkles, while sipping on deluxe hot chocolate. Normally we make enough cookies to last us all the way until January. Personally, I wish they could last all year, but cookies always taste better during the holidays.
Favorite Christmas Movie
Payton: The Polar Express
By far the best Christmas movie ever created has to be The Polar Express. This movie is timeless, and every Christmas I have to make sure to carve out some time to sit down and watch it. This movie is truly for all ages; it can keep young kids entertained, and older people can follow along with the plot and get to know each of the characters. The Polar Express can be streamed on Hulu.com. You’re not truly in the Christmas spirit until you watch this movie.
Sara: Elf
Elf, directed by Jon Favreau, is by far one of my favorite movies to watch during the holidays. I thoroughly enjoy watching Will Ferrell’s adventures as his character, Buddy the Elf, explores New York City to find his birth dad. During his time in the city, he falls in love with a woman, Jovie, played by Zooey Deschanel, and together they have to save the magic of Christmas. Will Ferrell always makes my family and me laugh no matter how many times we’ve watched the movie, which is well over a hundred.
