43. WINTERFEST FEVER (#COZY CELEBRATION EVENT)

At the Drozds', preparations for Winterfest are in full swing, and Maja got task to record a special video. So, why not kill two birds with one stone?

Maja: Dear all, hello! Today is a special recording, a charity stream of our holiday prep. It’s Winterfest with the Drozd family! Let’s get started!

Jace: Holiday traditions in my house? Mostly just watching TV together, haha. My family wasn’t really into this festive vibe.

Bas: Favorite tradition? Definitely not these sweaters! Why did you make me wear this? Honestly, I’d rather just play games. Oh, and I like decorating the tree.

Maja: This year, Winterfest is at our place, and I insisted on making the holiday meals! Yes, I know I can’t cook, but making Japchae requires a low cooking skill level. It’s a Korean dish for special occasions. Oh, it turned out amazing! And I didn’t burn the kitchen down!

Maja: Everyone in our family loves decorating the tree. We do it the day before Winterfest.

Bas: Can I upgrade these lights a bit? I’m working on an electricity project right now and...

Maja: No pyrotechnics, please. We don’t want to burn down the house.

...As I said, we love decorating the tree.

Maja: Stargazing together isn’t a Drozd tradition, but sometimes it’s nice to do something spontaneous and romantic, right?

Jace: I guess you could say a tradition in my house was eating dishes from different cultures. Mom always ordered international catering.

Maja: Well, this year, you’re getting a taste of your childhood because I made Brigadeiro, a Brazilian dessert.

Maja: Yes, Mom, I’ll handle everything. You don’t need to bring a thing. Really! No, Jace isn’t helping in cooking; I’ve already made two dishes myself. Really! Yes, I remember you love holiday music and dancing. We have a whole album ready. See you tomorrow!

Maja: You sure you don’t want to try? They turned out really good.

Bas: No, thanks, Mom. I’ll try tomorrow.

Maja: Fine, more for me.

Jace: What’s this now?

Maja: Coquito, a traditional holiday drink from Puerto Rico. I’m practicing. Can you believe it took a Mixology Level 2 to make it?!

Jace: Best holiday movie? Definitely Sim Hard.

Maja: That’s not a holiday movie!

Jace: How is it not? It takes place during a Winterfest party, there are holiday songs in the background, and the actors tell holiday jokes. That’s 100% a holiday movie to me.

Maja: Jace has already gone to bed, but I activated my All-Nighter fame perk, so I can still make cookies...

...and listen to holiday music on the radio...

...and search the Simternet for more dinner ideas. Ooo, maybe chicken?

It’s morning, and someone’s knocking at the door.

Maja: Izi? Aren’t you on your way to San Myshuno yet?

Izi: Not yet, but we’re leaving soon to visit my parents. I just wanted to stop by and wish you all a Happy Winterfest! Sing Fwingle Zibbs for me this year!

Maja: The table is set. Now, just hallaca to make. It’s a Venezuelan holiday dish. Can you believe I’m at Cooking Level 3 now? If I auditioned for MasterCook today, they’d totally take me! Maybe one day, Grim’s Kitchen?

Maja: Everyone has arrived. Of course, my parents are here. This year, my sister Bea came from Sulani with her husband and the twins, Bernard and Felicia. Little Bernie is just learning to walk! Mom’s siblings are here too: Aunt Dorota and Uncles Adrian and Sebastian from Windenburg. 

Maja: Even Jace’s dad came all the way from Tartosa. But my cousin Izi and her family are spending this Winterfest with her parents in San Myshuno. As you can see, our family is scattered all over the Simverse. 

Maja: We’re just an ordinary Sim family, and Winterfest is a special time for us to gather in such a big group. It doesn’t happen often, so we really cherish these moments. The Watcher, on the other hand, maybe less so. 

Maja: We have our traditions. We love good food and gossips. Giving and receiving gifts. Playing instruments, dancing, and singing carols. 

Maja: But most of all, we love just spending time together. 

Maja: Recording is done! Now I’m truly exhausted. A 24-hour charity livestream plus extras—I didn’t think I could pull it off.

Jace: Is it really over, or do you still have more to do?

Maja: I still need to edit the footage for the agency, covering all the prep and the dinner. 

 

Jace: Remind me, why was I drinking hot cocoa with a full bladder?

Maja: The Watcher wanted to complete the entire cozy celebration event at once. Maybe that wasn’t her best idea.

Bas: Let’s see, there’s 3 of us, and we only have 2 toilets. Someone’s in for a bladder accident tonight.

Bas: Still here?

Father Winter: Just wrapping things up! So, how about a gift? What do you want most?

Bas: I think that’s beyond even you.

Father Winter: Let’s see... How about some advice? My data shows a certain girl loves watching movies. And there’s a cinema in San Sequoia. Is this math mathing?

Bas: No real holiday movie? Lame. How about one last game tonight? A race?

Maja: Always! And I’m totally going to beat you again, haha!

Bas: We’ll see!

Maja finished editing and sent off the video. It was a fantastic holiday, even if a little tiring!

And fyi, somehow, no Sim peed themselves! 

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