There are officially 18 days left until Christmas. Eighteen. Freaking. Days. To kick off some holiday cheer, here are 18 reasons why you should be pumped for Christmas!
1. Holiday Movies
Come on, seriously. This should be a no-brainer. Almost everyone who celebrates the holidays in the U.S. remembers watching "Frosty the Snowman," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys," "Charlie Brown," and some of the more contemporary favorites, like "Christmas with the Kranks" and "Home Alone." It’s an unspoken tradition, and ABC’s yearly marathon of Christmas movies only facilitates it.
2. Hot Chocolate
Especially with peppermint or marshmallows. My fondest memories of the holidays always include huge mugs of hot chocolate, made lovingly by my grandmother.
3. Christmas Lights
Christmas lights aren’t a game anymore, folks. Everyone strives to have the prettiest house during the holidays—it’s just a fact of nature at this point. If you haven’t seen an inflatable in your front yard or a string of lights across your gutters…you’re wrong.
4. Gift Shopping
I don’t know about you, but if there is one thing I love the most about Christmas it is buying gifts for the people I love. There’s something so satisfying about finding that video game that trumps all presents for your brother, or a beautiful gold necklace for your mother. It’s confirmation that you know the people around you really well!
5. Parties!
Who doesn’t love a good party? The holiday cheer really amps up the party atmosphere, too. “There’ll be parties for hostin’..." (booze optional).
6. Christmas Caroling!
“...marshmallows for toastin’, and carolin’ out in the snow…” Whether you are the caroler or the carolee, Christmas carols are always so much fun. Even if you can’t really sing!
7. Snow (Or Maybe Not…)
I’m most excited to be at college in the Northeast because I’ll finally be guaranteed some snow during the holiday season. Christmas just isn’t Christmas without some white snow—or palm trees if you have the pleasure of living in Southern California…I guess.
Have a snow-corgi!
8. Special Holiday Foods/Beverages
Candy canes, eggnog, hard candy…you name it, you probably have to wait until this time of year to get it...(sigh).
9. Heavy Coats, Mittens, Scarves, and Hats
The cold nips at your face, begging you to return inside to the warm and cozy retreat of your house, but you aren’t getting cold…because you’ve got enough wool on you to put Australian sheep farms out of business. Way to be proactive!
10. Advent Calendars
It’s like you get a prize for being on top of the date. Go you! Enjoy your prize!
11. Christmas Commercials
I live for Christmas themed commercials. They’re like Super Bowl commercials, but better.
12. Santa Claus!
What are you talking about, “Santa Claus isn’t real”? Quit being a cynic. Why do you hate Christmas?
13. Ugly Christmas Sweaters
Hello?! This is the only time of year that it is socially acceptable to wear ugly clothes. Got a big bulky red sweater with three cats on it that are pawing tinsel and Christmas lights? You’re automatically cool! Your grandma’s sweater with the poinsettias? You’re in the club! Or God forbid that knit sweater with the traditional ‘Christmas’ design… you automatically get extra points for that one. This year, manufacturers are going all out and offering sweaters like this one. (“And I know when those sleigh bells ring…”)
14. Mariah Carey
That goddess with her voice like silk. No one, and I mean no one, has a hold on Christmas music like she does.
15. Nativity Scenes
Even if you’re not particularly religious, there’s something so calming about this universal scene. Thinking about a tiny baby Jesus in a manger brings peace to my heart like nothing else.
A quite minimalist nativity scene.
16. Christmas Dinner
Dinner on Christmas is almost on the same level as Thanksgiving dinner, at least in my family…and that’s no joke. Except it’s usually ham, not turkey. Yum yum. Also, who doesn't love dogs with human hands?
17. Getting Ready for New Year's
Got some resolutions? Want to drink more water? Want to start being more compassionate towards others? Perhaps you want to be more studious? (That one is definitely at the top of my list.) Maybe you’re not about resolutions—that whole “New Year, New Me” idea is totally not sustainable. So watch the ball drop and kiss somebody if you’ve got somebody!
18. The Joy of Being With Your Family
This is especially pertinent to me because I have never been so far from home for so long. I haven’t seen most of my family in the flesh since September. This Christmas, I’m going to make sure to hug everyone super tight—because family is the most important thing to remember during the holiday season. Remember this and appreciate your family more than ever before. It’s all about love, people.
