I love Christmas theme parties. It’s a chance for me to wear stockings and not feel awkward, a chance for me to give ridiculously cool gifts that make me even more excited to give than receive, and a chance for me to catch up with my high school buddies. There’s so many types of Christmas parties that its impossible for me to not contain my excitement come December 1^st (and sometimes even longgg after the party has ended!).

Looking to get into the holiday spirit? Here a few of my favorite ways (and you can even plan ‘em on the fly!):

The White Elephant gift exchange is one that is always interesting.  Some people end up with some pretty awesome, useful gifts and others…well not so much.  At a White Elephant gift exchange, each party-goer brings a gift, usually a gag gift or something that will put a smile on everyone’s face.  Then once you pick your gift, you have a choice to keep it or trade it for something you really want. But watch out and keep your gift guarded because that $15 iTunes giftcard you snagged may turn into someone’s grandma’s antique porcelain statue. Ew.

Christmas Cookie Exchanges are Christmas parties you don’t want to miss out on.  With chocolate chip, peanut butter cup, and sugar cookies galore, be prepared to leave with a full stomach and a sugar high.  So here’s the deal, each person brings one dozen cookies (and a couple to sample,) then the exchange begins! You can swap cookies, mix and match with your friends, or grab one of each. Just be sure to leave with how many cookies you came with…but if it were me I would most likely leave empty handed. What? I like cookies!

Read More »

Every year I find myself entering December with the same longing in the pit of my stomach. I see couples holding hands and sharing hot chocolate. All the stores are decked out in twinkling lights and ornaments. Every car that passes has a Christmas tree strapped to the top. And while I want to be home with friends and family, drinking fun holiday drinks and decorating the Christmas tree, I’m stuck in my 4 by 4 cell studying crap I could really care less about.

And with my luck, I always end up with a final on the very last possible day, which has me rushing home on the 23rd and trying to cram all of my holiday activities into 48 hours.

It just isn’t right.

But just because I’m holed up in my dorm studying during the most wonderful time of the year, it doesn’t mean that I (or anyone suffering like me) can’t enjoy a little holiday cheer. Since most of us won’t be seeing much of the world outside of the library over the next few weeks, here are some ways to bring the holidays to us:

Decorate.
Yes you live in a tiny box and chances are your school has 8 million rules about what you can’t bring in to the dorms. But there are still ways to deck out your room for the holidays. The best $15 I have ever spent was on a mini Christmas tree from WalMart. You can also get them at Target and Borders. They come in a variety of colors (of course I bought it in hot pink) and come with the most adorable mini ornaments and tinsel to decorate. If a tree isn’t a thing, why not relive your glory (read: kindergarten) days and make a snowflake chain? It’s super cute and festive, and a fun way to take a break from the studying and recharge that noggin. Read More »