Now that all the presents have been opened, the cookies have gone stale and all the decorations have been disassembled, it’s time to start that awful period of reflection…similar to when you try to relive your Saturday nights in order to find your cell phone (or your underwear).

So, while we’re looking back at all the wonderful moments (and the not so wonderful ones, i.e. that time you threw up in your new boyfriend’s bed) here are a few articles that made my year just a smidgen better. I know for a fact after reading them you’ll feel ten thousand times better about all of your not-so-great moments of 2011.

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And with that, I wish you all a Happy New year. May your resolutions be easy, and your champagne glasses always full.

Like what you read? Read ALL our Weekly Tens from 2011 right here!

Courtney will be spending this new years eve wining and dining with Patriots players, unlike last years which involved a box of tissues, an empty bottle of wine (or two) and When Harry Met Sally. Be sure to follow Courtney for updates on her fabulous (okay let’s be real…average at best) life (@CourtneyCormier). 

Over the years, certain items have left our lists like Barbie dolls, play sets, coloring books and Limited Too gift cards…but some items remain constant. We have grown up enough to be aware that Santa isn’t real and can’t magically give us everything on our lists (though we are still in mourning). However, we haven’t grown up enough to realize that our parent’s don’t have the connections to get the *Nsync-er that we put on our list under the tree with his you-know-what in a box. Similar to how there are classic Christmas carols by Frank Sinatra that people have been listening to for decades, there are essential items that we’re pretty sure our moms and grandmas had on their lists, too. These are the classic wish-list items that make up our not-so-grown up Christmas lists.

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However, there are many people every year who don’t have the luxury to worry about buying gifts for their own friends and family. These same people have trouble affording their homes, feeding their families, and providing necessities for their children. So instead of worrying about whether or not to get your boyfriend that ultra-expensive wallet, why not take some of that extra money you have lying around this season and donate to someone who really needs it? Or, if you don’t have your own money to spend, why not use some your Christmas Break to volunteer your time?

Here are five charities that are definitely worth your money and your hours.

1. Project Night Night has a mission to make homeless children know that someone in the world cares about them. The charity donates bags containing blankets, books, and stuffed animals to children without a place to live. By giving children comfort items, Project Night Night hopes to lessen the trauma that is associated with not having stability in one’s life. If you would like to donate or get involved in the charity, visit www.projectnightnight.org

2. First Book is a charity that provides new books to low-income children to help them learn how to read. Its founder learned that almost 80% of preschool and after-school programs that are catered to low-income students do not have age appropriate books, and these children easily fall behind in school and never completely learn how to read or love literature. First Book has already sent over 70 million books to children in need, and you can donate to them on their website at www.firstbook.org.

3. Ronald McDonald Houses give funds to sick children’s families to help their families stay with them during serious medical crises. The homes provide “homes away from homes” for families so that they can be near their children at almost no additional cost. Not worrying about money allows families to focus on their child’s sickness and getting them better, and also allows families to travel to seek the best medical care without worrying about both taking care of their child and dealing with keeping up their home. To get involved by volunteering or donating money, visit rmhc.org

4. Nothing but Nets is a campaign to help save people from malaria. Their focus is in Africa, where malaria is the largest killer of children and many of the homes are not built well enough to protect families. A $10 donation to this charity can help buy an anti-malaria bed net and educate families oh how to properly use it. If you are interested or donating to the cause, go to www.nothingbutnets.net.

5. New Eyes for the Needy helps families without health insurance obtain free eye exams and eye glasses. The organization provides help to vision-impaired people both in and outside of the United States, helping children do better in school and adults obtain jobs due their newly increased vision. If you would like to donate old glasses or money to this organization, please visit www.neweyesfortheneedy.org.

As you can see, it really doesn’t take much to change someone’s life. So take some of that money to allocated for holiday shopping and add a few other people to your list this season. It’s easy, it will make a difference and it will make you feel even better than finding the perfect gift for your beloved parents.

What other causes need us right now? Share them below so other CollegeCandy readers can help them out!

So, despite the fact that their assistants and private security will probably send these gifts away before they have the chance to open and enjoy them, here is my list of gifts I’ll be picking up for my favorite Hollywood A (and D) Listers.

Katie Holmes: A Patagonia jacket and some running shoes. The company is eco-friendly, you know. And, well, you never know when Katie might need to go running. In the middle of the night. In the middle of the winter. From a large compound in Telluride.

Brad Pitt: Condoms. And lots of them.  I don’t care how much he might love getting it on with his hot wife kids, we all know what happens to families with too many. And eight is already too many. Plus, Brad is so much sexier on a motorcycle than when he’s toting the kids around in a giant Escalade. And a nasty beard.

Jennifer Aniston: We know this Hollywood starlet hasn’t had the best luck with men, so we thought we’d give her something a little more dependable. Now she can have it all: the long-term cuddle buddy she’s been looking for, without all of that tabloid heartache.

Rob Pattinson: Me, wrapped in a bow. Or, you know, maybe some shampoo?

Tiger Woods: A lifetime pass The Bunny Ranch, the legal brothel in Nevada. Homeboy’s gonna need to get his rocks off somewhere now that he’s effed his way through the entire population of Florida.

Speidi: A vacation. Forever. In Sub-Saharan Africa. What can I say – I’m a giver.

Jon Gosselin: It’s hard to look cool in a giant van when you’re carting around your eight adorable Asian kids. Which is why Jon totally needs some Ed Hardy floor mats and a steering wheel cover. And if I have any money left over, maybe I’ll throw in a custom paint job, too. Anything to help Jonny Boy find true love again.

Adam Lambert:  Eye-makeup remover.  And a chisel.

Kanye West: According to Tim McGraw AND Snoop Dogg, all Kanye West deserves for Christmas is a serious beat down. But maybe I should leave that to Chris Brown?

No?

Too soon?

All that being said, life must go on, right?

So, how do we tighten the belt without living like a hermit? Here are some tips:

Budget: Set your spending limits on a weekly basis. And stick. to. it. Review your receipts at night to make sure you are staying on track, and be honest about what you are spending. This will keep your bank account in the green.

Save on Gas: Carpool with your friends or co-workers. If you need to do some errands, combine them all into one day, and make a route that will hit each stop, in one circle…versus going back and forth in all different directions.

If you live in a city, eliminate your cab usage. I know it is so much easier to hail a cab on those late, drunken evenings, but if you take some public transportation you’ll spend $2.00 versus $15. Or, trying hoofing it; you will burn those drinks away and have some extra wiggle room for a late night snack.

Make your own coffee: Think about it – while we all love those Starbucks Vanilla Lattes, at $4 a pop, that’s $20 a week (for your Mon – Fri coffee kick), $80 a month, and roughly $1,000 a year. I know it may not seem like a lot, but it adds up. Bonus: when you make it yourself, you know you will get it exactly how you want it.

Bring your lunch: Go grocery shopping (which will save you money on a day to day basis) and stock up on lunchmeats, salad fixins’ and yummy snacks. You never realize how quickly those $7 lunches add up and how easy it is to save by brown baggin’ it.

Stop shopping: I am at fault for this myself, especially at the start of a new season and new trends, but instead of spending money on things you can’t really afford, reinvent your old clothes by changing up the accessories or gettin’ a little Project Runway on your wardrobe. Or, try swapping with some of your friends. If you really can’t hold back – shop thrift. The clothes are cheap, cute and vintage; all majorly hot trends this season.

Stop the giving: I’m not saying to stop being a good person, but for the upcoming holidays, decide to do something nice with friends and family, instead of spending money on clothes, electronics and other wants. After all, gifting isn’t what the holidays are really about; spending QT with people is.

Make a Spending Limit: Even though I’m telling you to budget, I’m not telling you to give up all of life’s luxuries: i.e., nights out with your friends. However, what I will say is to leave your credit cards at home (yes ladies, no more drunken “drinks on me!” $50 charges the next morning). Protect yourself and your moolah by bringing a cash limit (be it $20, $40, or whatever you can spend) and bring ONLY that. If you run out of money, simply find someone else to but you some drinks.

Save: Even if it’s $10 a paycheck, open a basic savings plan and throw in extra cash (even spare change) whenever you can. Save it for a rainy day or whatever else you need…like Christmas shopping…

(Photo courtesy of squidoo.com)

I know what I’m asking for this Christmas! Lord knows I need some practice before my real cat lady days set in. Sigh.