There’s a reason I have been a less sassier, and little sweeter these last couple of days back in town. Could it be the introduction of cooler weather? The fact that the season of winter is rushing upon us? Or maybe finals have shot me into a faux euphoric state while I am forced to accept the inevitable.

Or maybe its jet lag. The whole one hour of jet lag that I could possibly have.

But it could quite possibly be because your favorite Hallmark symbol Santa Claus will be caught sneaking around your homes in the coming few weeks. Now I never actually believed in Santa --and was also probably that brat on the playground who rolled her eyes when you brought up Santa, but never actually told you that your parents were liars-- but I will always find room to honor a saint.

While I am supposed to be arguing with my mother, who will be over cleaning the house for the holidays, and putting up a multiplicity of Christmas decorations (because you can never have too many), and throwing mini parties, and shopping for gifts until my bank account can no longer take it, I am presenting you all with a few of My Favorite Things (*cue canned-laughter*) this holiday season:

Mariah Carey

Yeah, she’s great all year round, but she is a Christmas icon. There is nothing better than hearing one of her Christmas songs come on the radio. Sure, there was that thing that happened awhile back with her on television not singing very well (at all), but we are all willing to overlook that, Mariah. Why? Because you’re an actual Christmas angel. Also, All I Want for Christmas is my mom’s favorite Christmas song; and I forced my suitemates to watch listen to that as soon as the clock struck midnight on November 1st.

Hallmark Movies

Some of these movies are totally awful. Like really, really bad. Like, seriously. However, I am still a sucker for the cheesy romances. I think it’s adorable. And the last piece of evidence that I still have a heart. Plus, they are always really fun. In fact, my mom thinks that it is our Thanksgiving tradition for the two of us to watch Christmas Hallmark movies while I break bread for the stuffing.

P.S. It’s not a fun one.

Gingerbread Lattes

This is self explanatory. ‘Tis the season for me to ruin the diet that I never really had to begin with. Although I love everything gingerbread related this time of year, my all time favorite gingerbread genre is the latte. If you haven’t had it, then it’s obviously not Christmas for you yet.

This is a sure way to win my heart if you were in the market of doing so, beeteedubbs. (Just kidding, or am I?)

Eloise At Christmastime

You know the movie with the little blonde girl who lives in the perfectly pink suite in a fancy hotel with her British nanny in New York City? Yeah, she’s great. She’s my inspiration. I will know that I’ve made it in the world when I become her, but for now, I will stick with Nancy Drewing around suburbs instead of the city.

From the children’s book to the movie, this movie is the embodiment of Christmas. It is timeless. Romantic. A cinematic adventure. You name it.

Gifts by Ralph Waldo Emerson

I won’t ruin it, but it is a wonderful time of year to read one of my favorite Emerson essays (Here). It is not a super long read, but a truly thought-provoking one.

“There are persons, from whom we always expect fairy tokens; let us not cease to expect them. This is prerogative, and not to be limited by our municipal rules. For the rest, I like to see that we cannot be bought and sold.”

Christmas Lights

Does this really need an explanation? It’s more aesthetically pleasing than your Instagram feed/Instagram game/VSCO/Whatever you kids are using nowadays.

Tinsel

This is literally the same as previously mentioned. It’s fun, it sparkles, and it makes you feel really nice inside. Unfortunately, my cat, Angelo, likes to eat the tinsel. Therefore, we don’t go crazy in the Sallee household, but if I had it my way, we so would.

Delilah

I don’t know if this is all over the country, or just in certain parts, but growing up on 99.9 KEZ Christmas music, Delilah came on the station to host the Christmas music for the night after a certain time. You could call in and tell your sob story, or a sweet story, or just thank someone in your life who you just so happen to be grateful for, and then she would match up your story to a Christmas song. I used to call in when I was younger to request songs, but I never got through. Oh well.

Weird Arizona Christmas Things

This should just become a thread of “Just Arizona Things,” but if you find yourself throwing Christmas lights on your jumping cholla, and placing Santa hats on your prickly pear, then you know that you probably live in Arizona. From the Mormon Temple Lights, to Schnepf farm’s winter wonderland, to Downtown Mesa looking actually appealing for once, pleasant surprises can be spotted throughout the Valley to ensure you are swept up in the Christmas spirit.

If you’re looking for something a little less free while you’re in the Z for the holiday season, then check out the Phoenix Zoo Lights, or the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (they follow me on Instagram), or even Arizona’s version of the Polar Express in Williams (so basically the Grand Canyon). With the last one, you’ll be killing two birds with one stone: seeing one of the seven world wonders, and spotting the jolliest man in red on this planet. For my family, this is perfect, because I have an uncle who is obsessed with history, and nature --I don’t know why either, so don't ask-- and that same uncle has a young daughter who probably loves, or loved Santa at some point in her young life. This is just a personal example to prove to you how prime this last option is.

If that wasn’t enough of an infomercial for you to visit my state this season, then you’re probably smarter than a lot of the east coast winter visitors who only stick around for the winter months, and clog up our roads, and complain about the neighborhood when they are only present for about four months out of the year.

White Elephant

White elephant gift exchanges make me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside because, if you have ever played this in a religious setting, you realize how screwed up everyone’s sense of humor is. However, there was always one family who made sure that you had a great time. One time they stuck a twenty in a comic book, and my friend whispered it to me while we were in the gift exchange circle. She was a saint.

If you have never done a white elephant gift exchange, then I suggest that you make this a new tradition for your next holiday get together. Basically, you set a price limit, and buy whatever ridiculous gift that you can find within the price range. Then, you pick a random gift from the designated white elephant gift area, and steal someone else’s gift, or pick a new one if you hate everyone else’s. Be careful: a gift can only be stolen twice before the final thief becomes the ultimate owner. It’s a perfect way to make enemies, and if you were apart of a friendly family, the best of friends.

Ugly Christmas Sweaters

There is just something so joyous about a tacky sweater. My mom bought me one when I was like ten, but it’s been almost a decade and it still fits like a glove. No, I probably haven’t grown much with the exception of some parts of me since I was in elementary school, and, yes, I am embarrassingly admitting that now for the world to see. I have become so apathetic to the world around me that I am sure that I won’t die of shame right away.

Perhaps my mom will read this, and be inspired to hook me up with a new one this season. I won’t beg though. (Check T.J. Maxx).

Non-stop Christmas Music on the Radio

There is nothing better than continuous Christmas music all night, and all day. It is the only time of year my parents will actually turn on a radio in the car. Also, everything is better with Christmas music. I believe that Buddy the Elf said it best when he said, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

Good luck with finals, traffic, your bank account, in-laws, and all of the people that you did not choose to be related to this holiday season!