Perhaps I'm just defensive because my birthday falls at the end of January, but I see no reason why all the winter celebrations should suddenly cease after the new year. After all, when the holidays end, winter itself has barely begun: there is so much more winter to get through! Now's the time for all the parties and fun we didn't have time, money, and energy for in jam-packed December…
My group of friends dearly wanted to get together for a gingerbread house-making party, but in December our schedules were full of making gifts and decorations, shopping for gifts, traveling to see family, working extra shifts, and so much more. But now! Now January has arrived, we're all back in town and back to our regular schedules, and I think a gingerbread house birthday party sounds perfect. (Here's a how-to from Martha Stewart if you'd like to get in on the fun.) Back in snowy Chicago I would sometimes have sledding birthday parties, but the San Francisco rain and fog doesn't encourage the same sort of frolicking. Gingerbread houses in January it is!
And there are so many more fun things to do that we might not have gotten around to in December. I made a silvery swag to hang over my door and am thinking of making quince preserves or grapefruit marmalade to give as post-holiday gifts. Some friends suggested heading to Pika-Pika, the Japanese photo booth wonderland, to take holiday photos for cards. Sadly, our schedules were too crowded in December, but now we can go and take New Year's photos, or make Valentine's Day cards á la Julia Child! Even better. You know I'm in favor of sending insanely late cards.
What other winter fun were you unable to get to in the holiday rush? Making a bûche du noël? Having your friends over for gossip and glögg? Watching Better Off Dead? Making garland? Always remember: it's never too late for garland.
(Image: Martha Stewart)
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I wish I were as eager to continue with the festivities, but instead I am glad I can take a nice break and that December is done.My birthday is also during this cold season.
If anything, it may just be a knitting day with a friend, but that is hardly a festivity.
I think do it right in Mexico where Christmas ends on Epiphany.
Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year) - an excellent excuse to gather and celebrate. This year I believe it is 2/10.
I'm a big proponent of Groundhog Day. It's a hopeful holiday because it looks toward the spring. There are a lot of good jokes to tell about Groundhog Day, and, hey, it's also a cool movie.
Yes, chieromancer! My birthday falls on the Epiphany, and though its not really celebrated here in the states, I always continue my holiday celebrating through to that day. Christmas tree, decorations, and holiday music are all fair game until then in my house. I usually have a birthday party with a winter holiday theme, too. I have found that it is actually a great time for a party amongst my young city dweller friends, as it is much more difficult to see everyone around the holidays when most of us are traveling back to our hometowns. This year I'm going old-school and doing a twelfth night celebration!
To me, Christmas is not just a day, it is a season and I carry the feelings of the season thru till I get spring fever!
uh, yeah it kind of does need to stop. we are broke!
Christmas begins on Christmas day -- that season between Thanksgiving and 12/24 is all about the retailers making money.
Plus, like all winter festivals, it's about lighting up the darkest, shortest days to help keep your spirits up -- so I say party on! At least through Epiphany . . .
I agree with Cremedela. Groundhog Day is the perfect day for a party this year--Feb. 2 is a Saturday. If it's a sunny day, we won't care that Spring is still 6 weeks away because we'll cook out. It it's cloudy, we're happy because Spring will arrive early and we'll serve up Groundhog Day grub like dirty rice and adorable Groundhog Day cupcakes I found years ago on Martha's website. Here's to Phil!
I am hosting a Scandinavian smorgasbord tomorrow (the 11th day of Christmas), so yes, actually -- there WILL be glogg and gossiping!
I love holiday music, and winter, and while I didn't put up a lot of decorations (we spent two weeks back in our home state for Christmas), I'm glad to get to look at them for awhile longer! It makes me sad that some people take their trees and lights down on Dec. 26. Seems like so much build-up to the holiday and then BOOM! it's over. :(
My good friends always host their holiday party on the Saturday closest to Epiphany. I love that it provides an opportunity to gather and celebrate the Christmas season without all of the stress.
Post-Christmas baking. That's what I do.
I mean, everyone is overloaded with baked goods as it leads up to the big day, but what happens a few weeks later when family is gone and new year's resolutions are forgotten and there is still snow everywhere...
What better way to heat up the house than turn on the oven and spend an afternoon baking cookies and squares to share with friends and loved ones? Because come on, there wasn't time to make every recipe before the 25th.
Also, by Groundhog Day, most people have given up on their January diets and are able to eat hearty winter food and chocolate again. It's no fun to bake for a roomful of dieters.
AMEN! Winter deserves (and possesses) its own aesthetic!!!