It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas

Christmas season, there are parts of it I just don’t always get swept in: themed sweaters, trips to the mall, Dickens, wassails, caroling, outdoor activities… Sure I like It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story and I feel Christmas music should be judged on whether the song is good, melodic, holds up to multiple listening – not if the stores start piping it in October.

Maybe I’m not the most Christmasy fella in the world, but I am not waging war on Christmas, I like the season plenty but in the most practical sense Christmas means cookies, decorations and a chance to share time with people I don’t always get to see.

What is my favorite type of Christmas cookie you ask? I like the shortbready – sugar cookie with about a half-inch of butter frosting on top and this time of year, I look the other way with the food dyes (that vivid unnatural green does evoke happy childhood memories). But don’t worry if you want to give me other varieties, like nutty – walnut or filberts work and both type of nuts are available at the market this weekend.

Since I live alone, I don’t go full on tree, but I’m all Scrooge about the issue, trees aren’t practical considering how much I’m home –  I like wreaths and pine boughs – like the vanilla, cinnamon smell of baking cookies, the scent of resin, not to mention decorative properties of wreaths can make the draftiest, bachelor home seem festive. Even if your home is a few steps more evolved than mine, Sungold, Absolutely Floral, Rick Steffen, and Fav Produce can help you festive up your home.

Three, only three Markets remaining this year/season/before Christmas. And what a better place to bump into friends and fellow Portlanders in a low stress environment. PSU runs 9-2 on December 3rd, 10th and closes out the 17th.

Oh, Lisa Jacobs mentions her namesake Creamery will have eggnog pudding “to get people in that hohohoho holiday spirit!”