After returning from Disneyland early in the month, the rest of December was spent splitting free time with family and friends. Here’s what we got up to over the merriest time of the year:

Just days after returning to our regular lives, we checked out the Glow light festival in Langley. On this rainy night, I was impressed that umbrellas were available to all brave enough to head outside to view the displays. The kids also had a great time checking out the indoor festivities, while Mrs. Sip and I enjoyed some Dirty Fries with Bulgogi Beef from one of the food trucks. I was sad that only non-alcoholic drink options were available, fondly remembering the days when you could get a local craft beer or festive cocktail.

For our annual Christmas dinner with some friends, I put together an ambitious menu of drinks, with a total of 10 cocktails and two mocktails. My theme this year was Christmas characters and there are so many deserving options. The recipes included (last two were the mocktails, since they involved child characters!):

• Bah Humbug! (Ebenezer Scrooge): Rhubarb & Ginger Gin, Red Wine, Sweet & Sour Mix
• Yippee Ki-Yay (John McClane): Scotch, Coffee Liqueur, Club Soda
• You Better be Good! (Krampus): Jagermeister Spice, Maraschino Liqueur, Fanta Orange
• You’re a Mean One (Grinch): Lemon Gin, Melon Liqueur, Sprite Chill, Maraschino Cherry
• What’s This? (Jack Skellington): Pumpkin Blast Rum, Candy Cane Vodka, Coconut Cream
• Cotton-Headed Ninny Muggins (Buddy the Elf): Maple Syrup/M&M Rim, Maple Moonshine, Raspberry Iced Tea, Marshmallows
• The Clause (Scott Calvin): Cookie Dough Whiskey, Creme de Cacao, Egg Whites
• F*ck Me, Santa (Willy T. Stokes): Vodka, Cranberry-Black Cherry Juice, Tonic Water
• You Want the Moon? (George Bailey): Banana Bourbon, Orange Juice, Ginger Beer
• Sh!tter’s Full (Cousin Eddie): Eggnog, Stout
• Ya Filthy Animal (Kevin McCallister): Pepsi, Ice Cream, Whip Cream, Sprinkles
• Only I Didn’t Say ‘Fudge’ (Ralphie Parker): Chocolate Milk, Root Beer

From the drinks, the most popular was The Clause, while my preferred beverage was the You Want the Moon? Honourable mentions go to What’s This? and You Better be Good! for being surprisingly tasty.

Later that week, we met up at Me-n-Ed’s Pizza Parlor with some of Boy Sip’s soccer team for a holiday wind up dinner. Mrs. Sip and I shared a pitcher of Hoyne Dark Matter, while I tried the mini-sized Me-n-Ed’s Combo. The wrong pizza was made for Mrs. Sip, so the server gave it to us for free, while her actual order was prepared.

A couple days later, we gathered for Mrs. Sip’s office Christmas party at The Boathouse in New West. My entry for the White Elephant gift exchange was a Delirium Tremens gift pack with four beers and a beautiful glass. I walked away with a Boston Pizza gift card, which will come in handy given our frequency of visiting the chain.

As for our meal out, it was really good. Every item on the starter Pupu Platter (Coconut Shrimp, Ahi Tuna Tacos and Vegetable Spring Roll) was yummy, providing me with ideas for future visits to the restaurant. For my three-course meal, I selected the Caesar Salad, Sake Glazed Salmon and Cheesecake with Berry Compote. Of course, multiple cocktails and a beer with dinner were enjoyed as the evening progressed.

For the big day itself, I received a number of liquor-related Christmas gifts, including a cocktail smoker, Crown Royal Chocolate and a four-pack of Jak’s Verdita Margarita (cucumber, pineapple, jalapeno and mint) from Mrs. Sip. I was also gifted a bottle of Diplomatico Reserva Rum from in-laws. As for the giving, I picked up Mrs. Sip a tall can four-pack of Dead Frog Murchie’s London Fog Winter Ale.

That wraps another busy month for the Sip Family. January will see the crew make our final trip to Disneyland on our expiring Magic Key passes!