It’s that time of the year again, one of the most beautiful/intimate/annoying/hectic (underline your preference) periods of the year, which everyone experiences differently. Whatever way you feel in December, here is a very mixed selection of recommendations to help you get through the last month of the year.
Watch a movie!
The time has come to revisit The Happiest Season, which is probably familiar to all lesbians* by now. Kristen Stewart’s character and bad life choices… or is that not what’s going on?
* Or any other classic holiday favourite you love to rewatch, whether it’s Love Actually, The Holiday, Carol, or anything else that makes December complete.
Go skating!
If you’ve been, you know exactly how good it feels. If you haven’t, here’s a personal testimony: after about an hour of panicking, the author of these lines glided over the ice with a full Cheshire cat grin – such a wonderful vibe. You can go to the classic rink in City Park or to a smaller, friendlier one, like that in Budapest Park: https://www.budapestpark.hu/events/kori-park-20251201#tickets or perhaps to Csepel: https://www.csepelijegpark.com/. There are some Christmas markets (both in Pest and Buda) where, beside enjoying a delicious mulled wine, you can also go skating.
Go to a Christmas market!
One of the most heartwarming events in winter – it could enchant even the Grinch himself. Instead of larger fairs we recommend smaller, more intimate events, such as the one in Óbuda https://www.adventobudan.hu/ or the one in Városház Park: https://budapest.hu/karacsony2025
Are you single? Have a self-care day!
Do something you don’t normally do on weekdays because you consider it a luxury or forget that it’s an option: go to the spa and enjoy a sauna, book a massage, or invite a couple of friends over for dinner and board games—even the preparations will fill you with joy.
Are you taken?
Go to the mountains (just head to the Dunakanyar to find some brilliant accommodation), rent a cute little forest cabin with a jacuzzi or hot tub, and forget about the outside world—just focus on each other. After all, this is a celebration of love.
Pro tip: if you can’t find a place for December, instead of buying the fiftieth useless knick-knack, a gift certificate for any of these unique accommodations would make a great gift.
Go to the cinema
One of the biggest movie hits of autumn/winter is a must-see for all LGBTQ+ people. Starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, Wicked is the most “queer-coded” musical of the decade. Guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings. (Even if musicals aren’t your thing, it’s still worth giving it a chance.)
Bake a cake!
You don’t have to start with macarons right away: Mabon cake is simple, delicious, and easy to make. Its name comes from a ‘witchy’ festival held during the autumn equinox. Ingredients: one small cup of kefir (going forward, use the cup it came in as measurement), 1,5 cups of sugar, 2 cups of flour, 0,5 cups of oil, 2-3 eggs (3 if they are small), a bit of baking powder, 1 whole apple, grated, spices to taste (e.g., cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla sugar, ground ginger), and a diced apple for the topping.
Mix the ingredients in a bowl, then pour into a baking tray and bake in an oven preheated to 180 degrees for 20-25 minutes (it may take longer; mine took about 30-40 minutes).
Source: https://www.tiktok.com/@feketemacsek/video/7552943936118050070)
Visit a glass manufacture!
Or we could say: THE glass manufacture in Tárnok, where the Szabó family preserves the traditions of this beautiful craft. All their decorations are handmade, and before Christmas they open their workshop to the general public: https://szabouveg.hu/munkafolyamatok
Do charity!
No matter who you want to give money, time, items, or tools to, just give. You are sure to find a cause close to your heart: animal shelters, animal rescue organizations, people in need, organizations that help them, babies left in hospitals. Whatever moves you, don’t be afraid to give! It doesn’t necessarily have to be money; you can also send a package or volunteer. For example, children: https://nevetnikek.hu/adomany/ or https://dorkasz.hu/adakozas/ , animals: https://mindenallatert.hu/tamogass-minket/, homeless care: https://adjukossze.hu/szervezet/oltalom-karitativ-egyesulet-981, or a compilation link: https://adjukossze.hu/adomanygyujtesek
Spend the holiday evenings in a safe environment!
If you want to be in a friendly place with a supportive community for Christmas, or if you don’t feel safe where you “should” be, choose Why Not Café. It has become a tradition that on Christmas Eve and both days of Christmas, everyone is welcome for dinner between 4 p.m. and 1 a.m.: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1351153953689167&set=a.438472418290663, On the 25th December, starting at 7 p.m., Queertrécs is hosting a super Community Christmas at Auróra (pre-registration required): https://www.instagram.com/p/DRu0Ul8DB2J/
Party!
Popshe is a party series that started this year and will take place on the A38 ship on the Friday before Christmas (19th December). The party pays tribute to drag and ballroom culture, and if you want to work off those holiday calories in advance, this is the place to be! https://www.facebook.com/events/847294301112354
Explore new and special places!
If you’ve seen La cage aux folles, then you’ll definitely like Red Neon. An uncategorizable venue offering high-level entertainment and fun: https://vorosneon.hu/teli-alom/
Order some merch!
If you watch Jólvanezígy or any of the programs on Fókusz Stúdió, you’ve already come across your new favourite gift idea: the Last Christmas jumper. Let the jumper be right, that’s all I ask. https://kopaszcsimpanz.hu/collections/last-christmas/products/last-christmas-pulcsi
Come and attend a qLit program!
Play ping pong on the 19th December at the BME Sports Centre: https://www.atlaszsport.hu/events/category/sport-esemeny/ping-pong/ or take part in our quiz on the 16th December at Gaby’s: https://www.facebook.com/events/2849439041917360
Whatever you do, wherever and however you do it, we send you our best wishes for these few weeks—see you again next year!
Have a great holiday, Happy Queermas!
Translation by Zsófia Ziaja
