Make: Festive Holiday Gift Baskets
December 12, 2007
By Meher Ahmad (mahmad@hilite.org)
Love the holiday cheer but can’t afford to pay for it? This holiday basket is the perfect answer. Put together a simple yet desirable basket filled with the goodies everyone craves. Here’s what you’ll need:
Candle from Hobby Lobby: $1
Basket from Michael’s: $7
Hot Chocolate: 5 cents per serving
Hershey’s Kisses: 30 cents per serving
Mug from Michael’s: $1
Chocolate Spoons: 50 cents per serving (see recipe below)
More bang for the buck: At just under $10, this holiday basket gives you the most value for your money.
Around the world in five minutes
December 12, 2007
By: HiLite Staff
North America
1. Christmas today in North America is a conglomerate of cultures and traditions from all over the world.
2. The Christmas tree, Advent calendars and gingerbread house all came from Germany.
3. The English introduced greeting cards.
4. Ireland introduced the custom of decorating our windows with lights.
5. The United States gave us Santa Claus.
6. The French introduced the crèche (Nativity) scene and carols.
South America
1. On the eve of Jan. 6, children leave hay and water outside the house so the horses of the Magi who bring them their gifts will have a meal, as they journey toward the Christ Child in Bethlehem.
2. Since Peru has no social security, Christmas is an important occasion for the poor. Churches, patrons and businesses hold “chocolatadas” where they give hot chocolate, bread and a toy to the children and the old.
3. Prior to Christmas, Catholics in Chile observe a novena, which is basically a nine-day period of prayer and spiritual preparation.
4. To save money, most Brazilian families rely on “amigo secreto,” which is the equivalent of America’s “Secret Santa,” for presents.
Eurasia
1. In 1962, a law was passed in France decreeing that all letters written to Santa would be responded to with a postcard. When a class writes a letter, each student gets a response.
2. Near the top of Monte Ingino in Italy, a 800-meter Christmas tree is decorated with 450 light bulbs. In 1991 the Guinness Book of Records named it “The World’s Tallest Christmas Tree.” The tree is topped by a star that can be seen for nearly 50 kilometers. The tree is lit up every year on Dec. 7, the evening before the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
3. Fresh pine trees are too expensive for many Filipinos, so handmade trees in an array of colors and sizes are often used. Star lanterns, or parol, app–ear everywhere in December. They are made from bamboo sticks, covered with brightly colored rice paper or cellophane and usually feature a tassel on each point. There is usually one in every window, each representing the star of Bethlehem.
Africa
1. Christmas is a summer holiday in South Africa. Although Christmas trees are not common, windows are often draped with sparkling cotton, wool and tinsel.
2. The most important part of Christmas in Congo is the love offering, which is the gift in honor of Jesus. In the morning, everyone makes their way to the celebration of Jesus’s birth. Everyone who attends the service goes forward to lay down their gift upon the raised platform near the communion table.
Australia
1. Due to the problematic nature of recreating the “convict spirit,” few Australians use holidays to reflect upon history or tell stories about the past.
2. Because families spend more time outdoors in Australia, the tree is often a stringy shrub.
Sources: historychannel.com, about.com, caryn.com, santas.net, convictcreations.com
Top 10 Films of the Year
December 12, 2007
By: Sam Watermeier <swatermeier@hilite.org>
1. Zodiac
This murder mystery depicts the real-life case of the Zodiac killer, the man who terrorized the San Francisco Bay area in the late 1960s and 1970s. “Zodiac” captures this period in history in a way that is eerily realistic and haunting. The film follows three men: a reporter (Robert Downey Jr.), a cartoonist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and a detective (Mark Ruffalo). All of these compelling characters become so obsessed with catching the Zodiac killer that they endanger themselves and their families. Few films of this genre evoke the same type of obsession within the viewer. “Zodiac” is one of the few.
2. Bug
Misery loves company. “Bug” is about a man and woman stuck in a hotel room with paranoid delusions of mind-reading bugs. This tragic love story filled with bugs and paranoia is William Friedkin’s comeback film. Like his earlier films “The French Connection” and “The Exorcist,” “Bug” defines movie magic. Its stunning originality and intensity evokes giddiness and wonderment.
3. No Country for Old Men
The Coen Brothers are back! This film is a fantastic atmospheric thriller. Like “Fargo,” the setting is the most important character. The vast, desert wasteland is as menacing as some of the characters and the plot. The film stars Josh Brolin as a man who stumbles upon a large sum of money after a drug deal goes wrong, and Javier Bardem is the man who pursues Brolin and that money.
4. Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead
Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke star as two brothers desperate for money who devise a plan to rob their parents’ jewelry store. Unfortunately, the robbery bears tragic results. Eighty-three-year-old Sidney Lumet, the director behind such masterpieces as “Dog Day Afternoon” and “12 Angry Men,” directs with the energy of a 20-year-old. Hoffman and Hawke also deliver their finest performances yet.
5. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
This film captures Jesse James’s world so vividly that you will feel you are actually inside it. Master cinematographer Roger Deakins and writer-director Andrew Dominik strip this Western of all conventions, delivering a bleak yet hauntingly beautiful and poetic film. Casey Affleck delivers one of the best performances of the year as Robert Ford. Brad Pitt is also effective as Jesse James, capturing his charisma and the sorrow he hid underneath.
6. Rescue Dawn
This film puts you at the front lines of Dieter Dengler’s truly terrifying experience as a prisoner of war. This is a unique war film in that it is not about gunfire and chaos, but the quiet before the storm. With this film, director Werner Herzog delivers another haunting and heartbreaking account of one man’s struggle with the horrors of physical and human nature.
7. Interview
A reporter’s (Steve Buscemi) interview with a Britney Spears-esque starlet (Sienna Miller) turns into a surprisingly intense battle of wits. This film intelligently explores the darkest and most violent parts of the human psyche. Buscemi’s direction is spot on and his chemistry with Miller is genuine. This film is one of those gems that only arrives once a decade.
8. American Ganster
In this masterfully crafted crime drama, Denzel Washington portrays real-life gangster and smooth operator Frank Lucas, and Russell Crowe is Richie Roberts, the cop who pursued Lucas in the 1970s. These acting heavyweights create compelling characters who share fierce determination yet sorrow underneath. The tone of the film matches the intensity and energy of films from the 1970s while maintaining the perfect amount of tragedy, like “The Godfather” and “Dog Day Afternoon.” Ridley Scott’s meticulous direction and Steve Zaillian’s suspenseful screenplay make this film an Oscar contender.
9. Superbad
This raunchy comedy is as heartfelt as it is downright hilarious. From the team that brought you “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Knocked Up,” “Superbad” delivers non-stop laughs and insight into the peer-pressure-filled world of teenagers. It stars Michael Cera and Jonah Hill as two friends who spend an entire day trying to buy beer for a party. This is one wild and crazy adventure of a movie.
10. The Hoax
This smart, funny and taut film follows Clifford Irving as he attempted to fool America in writing and publishing a fake autobiography of Howard Hughes. Richard Gere delivers the best performance of his career as Irving. Screenwriter William Wheeler proves to be a fresh, new talent. Director Lasse Hallstrom (“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” and “The Cider House Rules”) also shows range in his direction of this light-hearted thriller.
Chocolate-covered spoons
December 12, 2007
By: Meher Ahmed <mahmed@hilite.org>
What you’ll need:
• 4 plastic spoons
• 1 bag of melting chocolate
• 1 bag of white melting chocolate
• Assorted sprinkles
1. Fill a microwavable bowl with a few pellets of melting chocolate. Microwave for one minute, 30 seconds at a time, until the chocolate is the same consistency as pudding. Make sure to mix the chocolate every 30 seconds as well.
2. Coat the plastic spoons with the melted chocolate. Apply sprinkles of your choice and lay on a tray to cool for 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, melt a small chunk of white chocolate in a microwavable bowl for one minute. Mix every 30 seconds, as done with the milk chocolate.
4. Splatter the white chocolate over the chocolate-covered spoons and let cool for 10 minutes.
Mix a cup of hot chocolate with these spoons for an extra dose of sugar and richness!
Listen: Seasonal Songs
December 12, 2007
By: Cathy Chen <cchen@hilite.org> and Reid Conner <rconner@hilite.org>
Enjoy these cheery holiday tunes from all different genres.
Rock
• “I Wanna Be Santa Claus”
(Ringo Starr) (above)
• “Barenaked for the Holidays” (Barenaked Ladies)
Alternative
• “Sufjan Stevens: Songs for Christmas” (Sufjan Stevens)
• “Let It Snow Baby… Let It Reindeer” (Relient K)
Jazz
• “Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas” (Ella Fitzgerald)
• “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (Vince Guaraldi Trio)
Country
• “White Christmas” (Martina McBride) (above)
• “All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan” (Kenny Chesney)
Pop
• “Noel” (Josh Groban)
• “My Kind of Christmas”
(Christina Aguilera) (above)
Oldies
• “Elvis Christmas” (Elvis Presley)
• “A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra” (Frank Sinatra)
Gift: Holiday Wishlist
December 12, 2007
By: Bennett Fuson <bfuson@hilite.org> and Lexi Muir <lmuir@hilite.org>
For him
1. Guitar Hero III ($79.99)
“Guitar Hero” has evolved from a video game franchise to a pop culture staple, bringing classic rock songs to the pop forefront while at the same time giving you a creative outlet to look like a complete fool (activate Star Power!).
2. Customized hat from Lids or Hat World (prices vary)
Watch Judah Friedlander on NBC’s “30 Rock” and you’ll understand why having a customized hat is so cool. It’s awfully hard to find a hat that says “Ninja Master” in bright red letters or, for that matter, “Mash Potatoes,” solely for the fact that most people respect themselves too much to wear it. However, it’s certainly a great way to start conversation, and for those brave ones out there, a chance to maybe find that special someone who also enjoys an odd affinity for standing way out in a crowd.
3. Stephen Colbert’s I Am America (And So Can You!) ($26.99)
Colbert’s continuous news joke has taken a hard hit during the writers’ strike. (If you don’t appreciate this sentence, just go back to your “The Hills” marathon.) Fortunately, I Am America (And So Can You!) has the power to hold all of Colbert’s sarcastic, mock-conservative humor on paper.
4. iPod Touch ($299 for 8 GB, $399 for 16 GB)
The iPhone has had many pitfalls and mixed reviews, mainly because of its difficult telephone interface. But the iPod Touch takes away everything bad with the original, leaving only the good features. This includes, but is not limited to: huge touch screen, WiFi capabilities, portable iTunes store and the envy of all of your friends.
For her
1. UGG Boots ($200)
These Australian boots are the perfect gift for any girl. Available in brown, black, cream and many others, they are fashionable, comfortable and warm for winter. UGGs are essential to any winter outfit and will keep your feet warm and cozy.
2. Tiffany Ring ($150)
Simple and elegant, Tiffany rings make great gifts. They have a wide variety of styles, and they come in silver or gold. Ask for this on your Christmas list, and you can be sure that you won’t be disappointed.
3. Sephora Limited Edition Blockbuster Palette ($48)
This make-up kit has almost everything you’ll ever need to apply your make-up. The sleek, mirrored palette holds 64 eyeshadows, 32 lip colors, seven cheek colors, one translucent shimmer powder, four double-ended shadow applicators, two blush brushes and two lip brushes.
4. Vera Bradley Tote ($58)
Totes from Vera Bradley are not only colorful and exciting, but also convenient and perfect for school. The tote can easily fit school books and anything else you will need for school. Because they are so colorful, they match almost any outfit and are great for any season.
5. Juicy Couture Perfume ($55)
Fruity and sleek, any perfume from Juicy is both delightful and sure to catch everyone’s attention. Along with the nice scent, the bottle itself looks great sitting on your bathroom shelf.
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