S4 C1-C2 DEAR SANTA...COULD YOU PLEASE BRING THE MAGIC BACK

to take the initiative - to be the first to take action in a situation

to rehash the oft-told story - to repeat familiar frequently used narratives without adding value

faux-Santa - a person dressed as or pretending to be Santa Claus

annual happening - a regular event that occurs once every year

to put reason aside - to consciously stop thinking rationally

childlike wonder - a feeling of awe and curiosity that children often have

to believe sth at your own peril - to accept sth as true at your own significant risk

met with derision - received with contempt and ridicule

to shimmy down the chimney - to move down a narrow chimney with a wiggling motion

afoot - currently happening or being planned or prepared

magic of the inexplicable - the enchantment of sth that cannot be explained or understood

to stand for sth - to represent or be a symbol of a particular idea

sappy Christmas movies - festive films that are overly sentimental to the point of being embarrassing

to venture to one’s homestead - to undertake a potentially difficult journey to your family home

something special is at work - a unique or extraordinary force is at play

frazzled - in a state of extreme physical or emotional fatigue

to feel goodwill towards people - to experience a general disposition of kindness and benevolence for others

inebriated - intoxicated from alcohol

anxiety-inducing scenario - a situation that causes worry or nervousness

mild panic - a low-level state of sudden fear or anxiety

allegedly - according to claims made without conclusive proof

notable angst - a significant feeling of deep anxiety or dread

barren days - periods of time that are empty, unproductive, and dull

downtime - time when one is not working or is at rest

to brood - to think deeply about sth that makes one unhappy

dwindled bank account - a greatly reduced sum of money held in a bank

flatlining resolutions - new year's resolutions that remain without progress

last dregs of the celebrations - the least enjoyable parts of the festive season that are left once everything else had passed

ominous date - a day viewed as a threatening portent of bad fortune

to come to a head - to reach a critical climax or turning point

to be in an emotional tailspin - to be in a state of rapidly worsening distress

exaggerated merriment - forced or over-the-top displays of cheerfulness

performance of having a good time - the act of pretending to enjoy sth

to ooze quiet desperation - to exude a subdued but palpable sense of despair

gregarious celebration - a festive event characterized by sociable and lively interaction

familial celebration - a festive event spent with family members

debilitating tradition - a custom or practice that has a harmful effect

baked in - ingrained or inherent as an integral part of sth

wrapped in ennui - enveloped in a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction

preconception - ideas formed before having adequate evidence

to embrace the misery - to consciously accept and indulge in unhappiness

secret sauce to sth - special or hidden formula for success

to elicit reminiscent feelings - to evoke emotions related to past experiences

arbitrary holiday - a holiday with no fixed inherent meaning or necessity

significant - sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention

lingering resentment - a prolonged and persistent feeling of bitterness or anger

party pooper - a person who spoils the party for others by being negative

mandate - an official order or authoritative command to do sth

to stir up dread - to cause feelings of intense apprehension to arise

to deviate from the norm - to depart from usual pattern of behavior

to usher the new year in - to mark the beginning of the new year as a significant transitional moment

to endure sth - to suffer or tolerate sth difficult patiently

substantial - of considerable importance size or worth

corny closure rituals - overly sentimental or trite practices intended to provide a feeling of resolution

sense of release - a feeling of relief or liberation from emotional pressure

to ruminate about sth - to think deeply and at length about a subject

measurable goals - objectives whose progress or success can be quantified

to opt for vague goals - to choose imprecise and less defined objectives

to set oneself up for failure - to arrange conditions that make failure likely

to take stock of sth - to review or make an assessment of a situation

to alleviate the pressure - to reduce the intensity of stress or demands

pomp and circumstance - formal and impressive ceremony or display, especially traditional ceremonies on public occasions

celebratory - engaged in or characterized by lively enjoyment of a festivity

to ring in a new year - to celebrate the start of a new year

to cozy up on the couch - to settle into a comfortable position on a sofa

idyllic - extremely peaceful, beautiful, or picturesque

hallmark christmas movie - a mawkish and formulaic festive film

to measure up - to reach the required or expected standard

seasonal beverage - a drink specifically associated with a particular season

potluck dinner party - a party where each guest contributes a different dish

to whip sth up - to prepare or create sth quickly with little effort

hefty price tag - a very high cost

to curate the ultimate holiday playlist - to carefully select and assemble the perfect festive playlist

cheesy - emotionally clichéd in a way that lacks taste

to snuggle up with a winter read - to get comfortable while reading a book suited for the cold season

to get a headstart on new year’s resolutions - to begin working on one's annual goals ahead of time

to lay out throw blankets - to get the soft blankets out

to go window shopping - to look at goods in store windows without intending to buy

to peruse decorated department stores - to examine festively adorned shops at length

frigid cold - intensely and unpleasantly cold weather

immediate mood booster - sth that improves one's emotional state quickly

to jot sth down - to write sth quickly or briefly

apt - appropriate or suitable in the circumstances

to bundle up in your cutest outfit - to dress warmly in your most attractive winter clothes

to bask in the holiday cheer - to revel in the festive atmosphere

to try one’s hand at sth - to attempt an activity for the first time

to long for sth - to have a strong persistent desire for sb or sth

awe-struck - overwhelmed by a feeling of reverence, admiration, or fear

jolly figure - a cheerful person (like Santa Claus)

awe-inspiring - eliciting a powerful feeling of wonder and respect

to identify a feeling - to correctly name or recognize an emotion

to tap into a feeling - to access and channel a particular emotion

mundane - lacking interest or excitement; dull

too far gone - beyond the point of recovery or redemption

to rekindle a feeling - to revive or restart an emotion

to reframe sth - to change the perspective or context of a situation

intimately connected with a younger version of oneself - deeply linked to one's past self

crisp air - cold dry and refreshing air

to amplify joy - to intensify or increase feelings of happiness

to intentionally seek sth out - to deliberately look for or pursue sth