Buzz
While checking off my Christmas shopping list, I often forget to think about ice. This makes sense, as depending on where you live, ice probably isn’t top of mind during the lead-up to Christmas, especially if you’ve been shoveling snow, driving through it, or simply observing it.
But ice is essential for Christmas celebrations (both Christmas Day and Eve). Whether you need it for mixing cocktails, making iced beverages like tea, chilling champagne, filling coolers, or—if you're feeling a bit fancy—keeping your shrimp cocktail or caviar cold, it’s a must-have.
Sadly, there’s no magic trick to produce ice instantly; it takes several hours in the freezer for the water molecules to become solid. While you could buy ice, many stores are closed or have limited hours. However, McDonald's is likely to be open. Though not all locations are guaranteed, as many are franchises, I’ve had enough Christmas morning sausage biscuits from McDonald’s to remain hopeful. (A company representative also informed the Pioneer Woman that most McDonald’s will be open, and I trust that.)
Most of these franchises sell bags of ice for under two dollars, so you can easily swing by the drive-through for your much-needed frozen water, then head home to whip up some icy cocktails or enjoy a cold tea. If you’re craving the best ice (pebble ice), make sure to stop by your local Sonic, but remember to do it on Christmas Eve. While many Sonic drive-throughs stay open the evening before Christmas, they won’t be available on the big day itself.
