Summary: District 12 has some new traditions - Winter Festivals, candy canes, and mistletoe. An In Panem/post MJ setting.
Word count: 718
Author’s notes: Written for @talesofpanem Everlark Holiday Bingo 2021. This is my first foray into writing In Panem, so I'm admittedly nervous, but the idea has been on my mind for a while. Shout out to @jhsgf82 for beta-ing and always cheering me on.
It was the first winter after the rebellion. In the months that followed, District 12 started to rebuild. The new 12 was a hodgepodge of those originally from the district and those from other districts wanting a fresh start. Though slow, construction was steadily going. Thom and his men worked as efficiently as they could, focusing on one area at a time. By wintertime, there were a few shops standing and housing units comfortable for folks to live in during this frigid stretch of weather.
While winter is not an easy time of year, the citizens of the district came together and thought up ideas for new traditions for the season‒to make winter feel warmer, cozier, and lighter as it could be‒so that they could get through it together. Thus, the Winter Festival was born.
The tuning of instruments could be heard, preparing to play the next song. Laughter and chatter abounded as adults and children danced or walked through the square where the festival was being held. Lined around the square were makeshift stands that served different foods, drinks, and treats; the wonderful aromas made stomachs eager to be filled. Garlands with holly, ivy, and mistletoe were hung around. Strings of lights and fire pits topped off the atmosphere, providing warmth and glow, erasing the chill and darkness.
Katniss looked on and observed the crowd. While healing takes time, there was something about seeing all these different walks of life celebrating and being merry‒living life as best they could after everything that had transpired. She herself still struggled daily, but the joyous new occasion brightened her up a bit. Well, really, a certain baker, ally, friend, and slowly something more had been the most tremendously helpful in bringing light back to her.
This friend was manning his own stand at the festival, passing out fresh hot rolls filled with either cheese and herbs or sweet cranberry jam. He told her he wanted the attendees to have options for whatever they fancied. She herself preferred the savory rolls and was enjoying them at that very moment. Right as she took her last bite, two small red and white striped sticks with a curve at the end appeared in her line of sight.
“They’re candy canes,” a friendly voice explained.
When she turned to her right, she saw that he had made his way over to stand next to her. She finished chewing and was about to question him, but he answered before she could, the candy sticks still in his hand. “Alfy is watching the stand and passing out the rolls.”
She nodded. Alfy was Delly’s younger brother; the Cartwright siblings were part of their close knit circle along with Haymitch, Sae, and Thom. Her companion continued to talk, breaking her reverie. “The new candymaker made them for today. He said in the olden days these were plentiful during this time of year. They were shaped like their name and tasted of peppermint. According to him, there were even other flavors and color combinations, but this was traditional.”
She hummed in response, and he handed her one peppermint stick while he popped the other into his mouth. She took the miniature stick and brought it to her lips. The minty scent of it filled her nostrils, and when she placed it on her tongue to taste, the minty treat felt cool and refreshing. “Mmm, it’s like mint tea,” she said.
Before he had a chance to respond, a girlish voice interrupted, “Hey, you two, look up.” The two turned towards the voice and saw Delly standing before them, beaming. Katniss and Peeta then looked up and saw a mistletoe hanging above them, another new tradition someone had proposed that had also existed a long time ago.
Katniss blushed. She thought the idea was silly, but as she looked at Peeta, a shy smile on his face, a small rush of excitement flowed through her. And the candy cane still in her hand was all but forgotten. She gave a slight nod in his direction; he moved in gently and tentatively, and after what felt like minutes, his lips touched hers in a short, sweet, and delicate kiss. And right after, all that registered in her mind was that he tasted sweet and fresh, just like the peppermint candy.
Hi! It’s BBA😺 saw your post about posting fics all day and what a great idea. I think I’ve gotten a lot of love for my pieces but could always use some more. May I suggest my Disaster is Served so anyone may feel better about their family dinner craziness. You Realize you’re a Distraction for some ice skater romance and Peeta’s Pocket because sometimes you just need a quick laugh.
Yes! Everyone go read her fics, they are hilarious and sweet and amazing. Read them all once you're there!
Card number and prompt: Card 3 - Winter Wonderland
Title: A Christmas Winter Wonderland
Rating: G
Summary: Katniss and Peeta find themselves at France's Capital of Christmas. Set in my unnamed van life!lark universe.
Word count: 526
Author’s notes: Written for @talesofpanem, this little drabble is inspired by the Christmas market photos I've been seeing on here and Instagram, a chat with @shewakesupwiththesun, and by my own limited experiences of European Christmas markets (Strasbourg, the Capital of Christmas, being one of them). As always, a huge thank you to @jhsgf82 for beta-ing<3
Driving around Europe seemed like a pipe dream when they first tinkered with the idea of traveling in a van, but now here they are in Strasbourg, France.
Their family and friends thought their plan was a little absurd - why navigate a continent they don’t know, in a van, during wintertime? But Katniss and Peeta insisted. They wanted to see Europe in its wintry glory. Plus, they had the internet to blame, or to thank, depending on how you look at it. YouTube videos and Instagram posts of the Christmas markets and the holiday decor blanketing the towns won them over.
So that’s how Katniss and Peeta find themselves at France’s oldest Christmas market and proclaimed “capital of Christmas” or as the neon lights at the entrance state: “Capitale de Noel”. It’s only fitting that the day they’re here is when the town is dusted in snow. They stand at the entrance of the market and are mesmerized by the sights, sounds, and smells of the ongoing festivities.
The archway that beckons them is well lit, bright white lights against warm yellow. Stars of varying sizes run along the arc, and two teddy bear shaped figures sit at each end. When they look past the arch, more lights are strung throughout in colors of red, green, blue, yellow, and white. Snowflake lights hang from the trees. Lit angels and gingerbread men hang high above the pathways. The stalls themselves have garlands and warm glows of their own. As Katniss’ and Peeta’s eyes wander to the picturesque buildings around them, they see garlands and streamers and Santa hats and banners of stars and hearts. A building or two has garlands made of cuddly teddy bears and boxes of presents with little trees at the occasional windowsill.
Excited chatter of children in awe of what they see fills the air; the little ones stretch their arms out attempting to point out the teddy bears or snowflakes or gingerbread men or other visual wonders around. Carolers sing Christmas classics in melodic harmony. Vendors are more than merry to talk to customers about their offerings. Clicks of cameras and shouts of what may be “say cheese” in varying languages can be heard throughout. Laughs and joyous vocals are abundant.
In unison, the petite brunette with a French braid hanging over her shoulder and the broad muscular blond with his unruly curls take a deep breath, inhaling the smells that waft its way over. Scents of evergreen, peppermint, and holiday spices tickle their noses.
What lies ahead of them is an absolute Christmas themed winter wonderland. Pictures and videos do not do it justice.
While excited, Katniss can’t help but feel a little overwhelmed, her senses overloaded. She takes another deep breath, readying herself.
Peeta stretches his left arm out to Katniss, and she enthusiastically grabs hold of it with her right. He gives her hand a squeeze which automatically makes her feel better. He looks down at her, eyebrows quirked and a smile on his face. “Together?”
Katniss grins back at him. “Together.”
Hand in hand, they walk into this Christmas Market wonderland, eager to take in what it has to offer.
Summary: Of sweet traditions, grandmothers, and love - Poppy and Graham Mellark are eager to surprise their mama. Pure and utter fluff, modern AU.
Word count: 1,403
Author’s note: At the start of 2021, I never would've predicted that I'd write and share stories, and now here I am wrapping up a bingo card for @talesofpanem Everlark Holiday Bingo 2021. Kudos to @jhsgf82 for being an amazing friend and beta-ing, couldn't have done this whole writing thing without ya! To the readers, I hope 2022 is good to you.
“Papa, when can we put the cookie dough into the molds?” An eager blue-eyed, dark curly-haired 6-year-old Poppy Mellark asks whilst peeking up over the kitchen counter. Her 4-year-old chubby, blond, grey-eyed brother Graham stands next to her, his eyes shining with equal eagerness.
“Soon, my little bakers,” says her papa, who is prepping the materials on said counter. He holds up his right pointer finger over his lips. “But remember, we have to stay quiet if you want to surprise your mama with them when she wakes up.”
The sister and brother bob their heads up and down in response. Their eyes twinkle in merriment, struggling to contain their excitement to surprise their mama with Christmas cookies and decadent hot chocolate for breakfast.
—
The children loved the story about how their parents’ relationship began over a tin of spiced cookies. When their mama was 14, their Grandpa Everdeen had been in a car accident while driving home from work; another car ran a red light and hit the driver’s side. Due to the injuries, he spent the holidays that year in the hospital recovering, so the Everdeens were there everyday that holiday period.
Peeta wanted to do something, anything really, that could bring a semblance of festive cheer to his classmate and long-time crush, Katniss. Whenever he felt a little blue during that time of year, his Oma would bake a batch of her family’s famous speculaas cookies, and afterwards, they’d then munch on them together. Every single time, he felt full of joy-his blue mood forgotten, replaced with memories of delectable spices of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, and ginger and his Oma’s love. So, he thought he could do the same for Katniss; if it successfully made him feel better, then maybe it would do the same for her. Plus, this would by far outdo the hospital’s holiday offerings, in his opinion, anyways.
On the last day of school before winter break, Peeta spotted Katniss clearing out her locker. He knew this was his chance, so after a brief pep talk to himself, he marched to her locker and handed her the tin of his Oma’s cookies. “I’m sorry about what happened to your dad, Katniss. I know it must be hard right now with him at the hospital instead of at home, but I hope these can help a little bit. I made my Oma’s special cookies that always make me feel better when I’m down.”
“Oh, um, thank you” was all Katniss could say. She herself was flustered by Peeta’s unexpected but kind gesture; otherwise, she would have tried to refuse, not used to receiving something without having anything to give in return. Not knowing what else to do or say, Katniss hurriedly rushed off to get Prim and then make their way to see their father. Peeta watched her go, and while he wished there could have been more to the exchange, he just hoped his Oma’s cookies would do their trick.
He was working his bakery shift a week later when he saw Katniss through the window. She seemed to be internally debating herself, based on her pacing back and forth and the serious look on her face. He saw her take a deep breath before she made her way to the door, opened it, and stepped into the bakery. She looked to the counter and made eye contact with Peeta. After a visible inhale and exhale, she walked towards him.
“Hey, Katniss. Welcome to Mellarks’,” he warmly greeted her with a smile, hoping to ease some of her nerves.
“Thank you for the cookies. Prim loved them; they made her happy. My parents also enjoyed them; my dad said it’s better than what the hospital passes for dessert,” she blurted.
“What about you?”
She quietly and shyly answered, “I really liked them, too. It helped us forget that we were in the hospital for a little bit.”
Peeta couldn’t help but beam upon hearing that. It was everything he’d hoped it would do and more. “It’s Oma’s holiday magic.”
Katniss nodded and then held out a canister to him. “Um, this is for you.”
He quirked an eyebrow in question as he took the canister from her.
“It’s Grandma Everdeen’s special hot chocolate,” she clarified. “To return the favor.”
He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand and shrugged. “It was nothing, Katniss. I wanted to do something that could bring a little bit of holiday joy to you and your family.”
A whisper of a soft smile graced her lips. “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Peeta.”
An act of thoughtfulness and a returned gesture lit the match, coaxing a pleasant fire between the two. Through kindle and tending, a friendship was forged that blossomed into the relationship they have now. Thus, each holiday season, Oma Mellark’s perfectly spiced speculaas and Grandma Everdeen’s rich hot chocolate made a special appearance.
—
This year, Poppy and Graham were giddy to participate in the yearly tradition, so they (Poppy talked for the both of them) asked their papa if they could help make the cookies and the hot chocolate and surprise their mama in bed (Mama had recently been feeling a lot more worn down).
“It’s time to put the cookies in the mold, my little bakers,” Peeta announces.
The children squeal with delight in return. After putting on matching red and green aprons that say “Santa’s Elf” on them, they step onto the foot stools Peeta has set up for them by the counter. With Peeta’s guidance, Poppy and Graham put speculaas dough into the cookie molds, and when ready, Peeta pops each cookie out of its mold. “Ooos” and “aahs” are bountiful during the process; Poppy and Graham point out various details they can see imprinted on the cookies.
After all the dough is used, Peeta places the molded cookies into the oven. He and the children make the hot chocolate while they wait for the speculaas to finish baking. Poppy, being the grown up 6-year-old she is, wants to be in charge of presentation; she picks out the plate and mug to place on the tray and uses some remaining holly and ivy decor to round out the tray. Once the oven timer dings , Peeta takes the cookies out and lets them cool for a few minutes before he carefully transfers the ones Poppy and Graham selected to the plate.
Once all is ready, Poppy and Graham lead the way up the stairs and down the hall to their parents’ bedroom as Peeta carries the tray. Peeta quietly opens the bedroom door, and in unison, the children run inside, jump onto the bed, and yell, “Surprise, Mama, surprise!”
Katniss, already awake, is sitting up in bed and scrolling through articles on her phone. She smiles at her children, eyes playfully curious. When Peeta steps into the room holding the aromatic tray, he grins, winks at her, and cocks his head in the direction of the enthusiastic kids. Her eyes dawn with realization, but she keeps up the charade. “What’s the surprise?”
“We made cookies!” Graham proudly announces. Simultaneously, Peeta sets the tray down in front of Katniss and stays standing beside the bed.
Poppy adds, “We helped Papa make Great Oma’s speculaas cookies and Great Grandma’s hot chocolate.” She carefully enunciates speculaas, since it’s not a word that easily rolls off her tongue just yet.
“It smells wonderful,” Katniss encourages. She picks up a cookie and bites into it. “It tastes delicious as always.” The smiles on Poppy’s and Graham’s faces grow even wider, rivaling their father’s. Katniss grabs the mug of hot chocolate and sips. “Mmm, just like Grandma Everdeen’s. Thank you, my little ones. This was a lovely surprise.”
The siblings clap their hands together, ecstatic that they pulled it off-with the help of their papa. Katniss gives each one a cookie, and they happily start eating them.
The weight of the bed shifts next to Katniss as Peeta joins her. He places featherlight kisses to her forehead. “How are you feeling?”
“Better now. It seems our grandmother’s treats were exactly what these two little ones needed. I can tell they want more,” she says as she caresses the swell of her belly.
“Hmm, maybe this time we should name them after the ingredients used in the cookies and hot chocolate,” he teases. “After all, our grandmas do know best.”
Fin.
—
Final author's note: My ethnicity has Dutch influences, and one of my favorite treats during the holiday season is speculaas (or speculoos in Belgian and French or spekulatius in German; Biscoff may be a more recognizable name). Growing up, my aunt in Germany would ship packages of these cookies to the states to my Oma (grandma) who would then spoil me (and my siblings) with them. These memories are what inspired me to write the above story for the prompt.
