Christmas in California
When you try to capture and reflect the foods, traditions, and personality of a state as vast as California, you’re certainly up for a challenge. The state has more people than Canada, more land than many countries, including Germany, and its GDP would place it as the fifth-largest economy in the world. But we tackled the state with as much vim and vigor as possible.
We ventured around the state with foods that are iconic for the region but also famous for Christmas flavors or Christmas Eve traditions. We kicked off the day by listening to Colbie Caillat’s (born in Malibu, CA) “Christmas in the Sand” album. We savored some cruffins (made famous in San ) and lingered in the San Fran region for a lunch of cioppino with some sourdough bread We set off to experience “Christmas Tree Lane” (near Pasadena) and then ventured up to the Sierra Nevadas for some watermelon snow and a Gold (and Frankincense and Myrrh) Rush Treasure Hunt before heading back toward the coast with an evening spread of Napa Valley wine country fare, including baked brie with figs and a glass of California white wine. We wrapped up our spread with a date shake (Coachella Valley) and some Minute to Win It games inspired by In-N-Out Burger (founded in Baldwin Park, CA).
But if we’re being honest, you can’t mention California without mentioning Hollywood. So many Christmas songs and movies originate there, and it has played a large part in creating the Christmas classics that we know and love. So, we capped off the night with a celebration of (Fa La La La La La) La La Land. In honor of The Golden State and its iconic silver screens, Ben decorated the basement from floor to ceiling with shimmering gold and silver tinsel to create a magical “Tinseltown” wonderland, complete with a 1960s-era aluminum Christmas tree. He also found a playlist of “Christmas at the Movies” and “Christmas Orchestral Scores” to create a dramatic ambiance.
We then settled down to have some fun. The kiddos had a Shirley Temple with candied cherries that resembled a Santa hat while us adults had a roasted grape wine cocktail with our elegant cocktail party fare. Once the kids were put to bed for the night, the two of us parents settled back in to watch “A Hollywood Christmas” and watched the day fade away as the sun set on today’s festivities and the state of Sunset Boulevard.
ACTIVITIES:
“Fa La La La Land” Sign
Tinseltown w/ Tinsel Tree
FOOD & DRINK MENU:
Cioppino in Sourdough Bread Bowl
California White Wine
INTERESTING READS & CONTEXT:
