Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Hi Everyone,
As we wrap up another year of chasing edges, dodging drawdowns, and celebrating those glorious equity curves, I wanted to take a moment to wish you all the warmest of holidays.
This community continues to amaze me. Your questions, your wins, your “well, that didn’t work” stories—they all remind me why I started this journey in the first place. Whether you’re deep in the Incubator trenches or watching a strategy finally graduate to live trading, you’re part of something special here.
In the spirit of the season, a few things from my household to yours:
Celan’s Mulled Wine (a.k.a. “The Strategy That Never Fails”)
Note: I considered sharing my orange juice futures recipe, but the Duke brothers cornered the market.
Ingredients:
1 bottle of dry red wine (nothing fancy—save the good stuff for drinking straight)
1/4 cup honey
1 orange, sliced into rounds
8 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
Optional: 1/4 cup brandy for extra warmth
Combine everything in a pot over medium-low heat. Warm gently for 15-20 minutes—don’t let it boil or you’ll cook off the good stuff. Strain, serve in mugs, and enjoy by the fire. Works equally well for celebrating a winning week or recovering from a losing one.
What we’re listening to:
“Christmas Time Is Here” — Vince Guaraldi Trio
“Please Come Home for Christmas” — Eagles
“The Christmas Song” — Nat King Cole
What we’re watching:
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Die Hard (yes, it counts)
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Babette’s Feast
Trading Places
And because no holiday letter is complete without groaners:
Q: What do snowmen do when the market crashes? A: They have a meltdown!
Q: Why does Santa love the futures market? A: He’s always long on presents and short on time!
(I’ll see myself out)
Here’s to a peaceful holiday season and a profitable new year!
May your strategies be robust, your fills be favorable, and your risk management be impeccable.
Cheers,
Celan