After Challenge #8, hopefully your sweet tooth has been satisfied and you're a happy little reveller. We've discovered yet another baking benefit, it's less shameful to eat a bunch of cookies you made than say a row or box of Oreos. But who's counting anyway, WINTER'S COMING! Well, for some of us it's here already. Right, so Challenge #7 plays into your cookie coma a little and our holiday spirit-inducing suggestion is to play games. 

Challenge #7 – Play Games

We're not suggesting head games of the crazy ex variety, but rather good old fashioned board games with your family and friends. Gather some of your favourite people and have a game night. If you have enough people, you could have multiple games going simultaneously. Maybe have each person bring their favourite and have a marathon.

We feel that classic board games allow for more of a connection between the players, but digital games can offer just as much fun. A few years ago, our awesome friend Jeff gave us a Wii with a board and we took it to a family gathering. Let me tell you, the amount of bonding (and laughter) that occurred while watching the uncles try to spin an imaginary hula hoop on their hips was epic. Here's a list of games that we love to play here at the studio. 

Fun Games List

• Scrabble - Establish house rules before starting the game
• Cards Against Humanity – Fun fact, they mailed actual poop to people
• Taboo - People always end up yelling 
• Bezzerwizzer
• Catch Phrase - great for a quick team builder at the office
• Cranium - Because who doesn't love playing with Play-Doh?
• Things - This game ends up dirty. Every. Time.
• Wii Fit
• Bananagrams
• Kwizniac - Great for road trips 
• Card games (Crazy Eights, 21, Uno) - Click for an alphabetical list

What game will you play? Share it in the comments under Challenge 7.

Play hard,

The 9 Lives Team

Challenge #9 was to watch a holiday movie so we hope you enjoyed relaxing and laughter/romance/nostalgia. It seems like Elf was the most popular movie amongst readers. I mean, who can resist a grown man in tights? Anyways, Challenge #8 requires that you roll up your sleeves and make a mess in the kitchen. 

Challenge #8 – Bake

Bake. It can be a cake, cookies, bars, drops, whatever your favourite holiday treat is. They say baking soothes the soul so if that's the case, I say eating treats feeds the soul! It gets pretty cold in North Bay so in support of an extra layer for warmth, I am looking forward to stuffing my face with sugary goodness. YUM! If you're a baking pro, take the Holiday Spirit Challenge to the next level and host a cookie swap (learn how here). 

Before your goodies disappear, showcase your work in the comments under Challenge #8.

Disclaimer: Baking doesn't always work out but you can always try again! One time I left some Swedish Butter Balls in the oven for a little too long and they wound up being hard, powdered balls of fury in a food fight rather than delectable delicacies. The result was sugar explosion fun so the effort was worth it after all. Below is a list of our favourite holiday treats (click the treat name for links to recipes).

Our Favourite Holiday Treats

• Gingersnap cookies - Such a great flavour
• Shortbread - Classic that freezes well
• Peanut butter balls - A little more effort but so worth it
• Swedish butter balls - This cookie lives by so many names
• Chocolate drop cookies - A great no-bake option!

What's your favourite holiday treat recipe? Add it to the list in the comments below or share it with your photo on the Challenge #8 post on Facebook.

Happy baking,

Jade