Oma’s spritzgebäck

　　This week I’ve eaten an entire tin of my Oma’s Christmas cookies, which my brother and I guilt trip her into mailing us each December. My favorite are her spritzgebäck, butter cookies piped into the shape of wreaths and dipped half in chocolate. I could easily eat these on their own (I’m stuffing one in my face right now), but they’re really incredible with a bitter black tea or a cup of coffee. My Oma also suggests them with a glass of red wine, cementing her reputation as the coolest grandma ever. [Kate Bernot]

Japanese vegetable seppuku

　　Is seppuku more cute if performed by animated vegetables? You decide. [Kevin Pang]