In the Loop: December
So . . . 2022 hit different, right? It wasn't *quite* the same as crazy old 2021, but were we laughing all the way? To be fair, we laughed some of the way. But we're merry and festive and bright, and we're decking the halls and filled with holiday cheer!
It is the most wonderful time of the year and everyone knows it. Because this is the time of year that is filled with end-of-year "best of" lists. Want to know the best music, movies, and books of the year? No problem! Do you need a reminder of noteworthy moments in pop culture (slaps, Wordle, celebrity lawsuits, jet plane movies, the royals)? Politics, news, sports—there's literally a cheat sheet for everything, in handy list form. And isn't that the true reason for the season?
It's been a heck of a year and we're grateful to you for being with us: new clients, tried-and-true clients, newsletter readers, tweet likers, well-wishers, and guest bloggers. Whatever you celebrate—if you celebrate—this time of year, we hope you have a joyful, festive, holly jolly holiday!
And here's our special gift to you: this month’s playlist is a real treat! Each newsletter includes a playlist that relates to the theme of the month, and this month features tunes to help you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve, and the Winter Solstice! It's very merry, indeed.
Editing Q&A: It's a Season for Some Greeting
Cards from the Bunch:
When pluralizing a name, no apostrophes are needed. Ever.
Most names add an -s.
Merry Christmas from the Coopers!
The Becketts wish you a Happy New Year!
Last names that end in an -s get an -es added to the end.
Happy Holidays from the Joneses!
The Davises send you glad tidings!
Even names that end in -x, -z, -ch, or -sh add an -es in the plural form.
Feliz Navidad from the Devereauxes!
The Finches say Howdy Holidays!
Big Holiday Energy:
Happy Holidays (not possessive)
Merry Christmas (not possessive)
Happy New Year (not possessive)
BUT
Season’s Greetings (possessive)
Get together to celebrate New Year’s Day brunch (possessive)
But Where Are You Going?
The Coopers are going to visit the Becketts’ house after Boxing Day.
We’re going for dinner at the Lopezes’.
A Playlist That Sleighs All Day
(Click the image to enjoy a holiday-inspired playlist)
What's the Diff?
There are a lot of sneaky words out there—those that sound awfully similar to others, but with a different meaning. Here’s the dish on some of those commonly swapped-by-accident words.
Present (n.): A present is something presented or bestowed, it is something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation.
Gift (n.): A gift is also something presented or bestowed. Present and gift are well-matched synonyms and pretty much mean the same thing in certain contexts. But gift is also an attributive noun, sneakily acting like an adjective to modify another noun: gift boxes (not present boxes), gift cards (not present cards), gift wrap (not present wrap), gift shop (not present shop).
Cool Guides
Stuff We Like
Santa was inspired by a psychedelic mushroom, my dudes.
These reindeer are running like the wind!
Merriam-Webster has declared gaslighting to be the 2022 Word of the Year. On the other side of the Atlantic, the Word of the Year is goblin mode.
Your friends at PostScript would like to make your holiday shopping easier with these helpful gift guides for everyone on your list: gifts for Dolly Parton fans; gifts for podcasters; gifts for potheads and THC enthusiasts; gifts for introverts; gifts for insomniacs; gifts for Hanukkah!
I heard there was a secret chord. And that’s why everything sounds so festive.
It’s the thought that counts, unless your only thought is a robe.
Sinister birds and dancing insects: There is probably nothing creepier than Victorian Christmas cards.
A snowbird is someone who goes to a warmer climate for winter—or a cocaine addict. And speaking of which, have you seen the trailer for Cocaine Bear?!!? Yikes.
Did you read anything good this year? If you read any of these books then the answer is yes.
It's West Side Story and it's Hanukkah. So it’s a win!
The Food Network is premiering a new series, The Kwanzaa Menu, on December 26.
How about a festive wormhole to end the year on a high note?
Apparently, some mean bosses make people work during the four weeks before Christmas. Ugh.
There was a surprising amount of good television to watch in 2022, including Bad Sisters, The Bear, Paper Girls, and Abbott Elementary. What were your favorites?
Rebecca Solnit, Jeff Chang, and David Kyuman Kim talk nostalgia, the quest for self-care, and hope in this Democracy in Color podcast.
Pay It Forward
Pictured: A Forest City sweetheart. Photo by Rachel Long
Meet Alayna Hryclik!
Alayna Hryclik is a multidisciplinary artist and entrepreneur (and our artist crush); textiles, sewing, and silk screening are her mediums of choice. She is the Forest City sweetheart behind soft flirt, a home décor, lifestyle, and apparel brand that highlights some of the more tender things in life.
Don’t be fooled by her tender-hearted whimsy and sweet-but-punchy style. Alayna is breathing much-needed color, joy, and life into her community by way of partnerships and leadership at Punk Rock Flea Market, neighborhood mural projects, and artist mentorships.
We totally love that soft flirt vibe and you will too. Check her out—seriously, stop what you’re doing and go check her out right now—on her website and wherever media is social (she’s @softflirt just about everywhere). And don't forget to click on over to the blog, where you can read Alayna's guest musings about art and community.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/softflirt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/softflirt/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@softflirt
