A Grinchy Treat

It's that time of year again - the time for sweet treats, sparkly ornaments, brightly colored lights and gifts, but the most important thing of all - time with family and friends. Our holiday season is a bit different this year, however.

Being in the midst of a global pandemic has turned all of the world upside down - many of us are unable to be around our family and friends, due to the risk of spreading COVID-19 and harming our loved ones or ourselves. It's no wonder that so many of us are feeling a bit "Grinch-like" this year, if not outright dreading the holidays. There's so much uncertainty and anxiety in the world today, that it isn't difficult to understand WHY we're all feeling a bit apprehensive and perhaps very unenthusiastic about the holiday season.

How do we get into the holiday season and lift the "Grinch-blues?" This is the slightly more difficult part. For my own family, if we find ourselves feeling a bit "Grinchy," we usually find engaging in some sort of holiday-related activities will help to increase the holiday spirit in our home and in general improve our overall happiness and well-being. This is where hot cocoa comes in, because I can't think of any other more holiday-spirited food or drink than hot cocoa.

Hot cocoa is a wonderfully versatile holiday drink - even year around! You can dress it up, dress it down - drink it plain and minimally sweet or make an extreme chocolate and sugar overload by adding marshmellows, whipped topping, candy, syrups, chocolate chips, etc. I have discovered in more recent years, "gourmet" hot cocoa. Most of the gourmet hot cocoas are pretty tasty, I've only come across one or two that I didn't particularly care for. However, my favorite is still homemade, cooked on the stove and made from scratch hot cocoa with a few mini marshmellows on top and a candy cane to stir it with and then munch on while drinking it.

Our family tradition is to watch the original "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" on Christmas Eve (and sometimes Christmas night too!). We make the hot cocoa with care, put in our marshmallows and candy canes, make a batch of popcorn and then we all pile up and watch the Grinch as he tries to stop Christmas from coming. This year we are planning a "Grinch Marathon" with all three Grinch movies - but hot cocoa, candy canes and popcorn will be our staple movie-time beverage and snack.

There's just something comforting about drinking hot cocoa that makes one feel all warm and fuzzy inside - and it isn't simply because it's a warm drink. A large majority of people have positive emotions when it comes to such simple comfort foods or drinks, so it will actually literally boost your mood and lift your spirits. A nice warm cup of hot cocoa with a peppermint candy cane in it is both warming and soothing, but because of the peppermint, it is also refreshing and relaxing. Of course, you can use any type of candy cane you'd like and make up your own combinations.

Whether you only drink hot cocoa during the holiday season or year around, it's a nice warm treat. You can buy hot cocoa mix, you can buy the ingredients yourself, you can leave it plain and minimally sweet or you can try any number of different things to add in or mix it, put on top or even serve it with other snacks, meals or food items. There are any number of recipes online to make your cocoa from scratch - from super simple to really complex. The sky's the limit when it comes to your hot cocoa, it all comes back to your personal preferences.

Hot cocoa is just simply one of those beverages that even the Grinch himself would have difficulty saying "no" to! Share with your loved ones and create new memories, don't forget to write down your recipes for future holiday seasons. On a random aside - you can gather recipes from family and friends, type them up onto some pretty backgrounds and have them printed into inexpensive photo books or have custom recipe cards printed to put in nice wooden boxes or decorative tins. This would become an instant family heirloom or keepsake - as well as building positive memories with your loved ones, you can include everyone.

This can even be done virtually to allow time with family and friends, set up a Zoom meeting or video group chat and get all of your loved ones involved for a cup of hot cocoa - even if it is just virtual. You can send gift baskets or packages with hot cocoa, do no-contact drop-offs for handmade items or even have items delivered to loved ones by the many delivery companies that are available for grocery and food/beverage deliveries.

In the meantime, enjoy that warm fuzzy feeling that only a cup of hot cocoa can bring, enjoy your time with those you love - whether in-person or not - and start a new tradition to carry on for years to come.

Happy Holidays!