

Real. Every year, my partner and I and other partners or friends are welcome to join us, go out into the forests and legally cut down a tree.
It’s a pain in the ass, it’s adventure, it’s a party, it’s fun. It’s also way cheaper than just buying one. I think we paid like $13 for the state park purpose licence this past weekend.
I have a tradition I made up for this, too. Every year, I cut a puck off the bottom of the tree before I put it in the stand. I drill a hole through it, label it with the year with a marker, and hang it from the tree. I think this will be our 7th year? It hasn’t been decorated yet because our living room is super small and a disaster and the tree is currently in the kitchen.
I find that the challenge gives purpose to time, and gives us excuse to socialize more in these dark months.












PROTIP: to put a tiny bit of spicy in your hot chocolate. Not enough that you can taste, but just enough that you can just barely faintly feel it in the back of your throat, as it enhances the sweetness without relying on salt. I generally do like a micro-pinch or cayenne powder, since that’s the easiest and what I generally have on hand consistently.
If you can taste spicy, it’s too much.