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