Studying for finals have you down? Struggling to get into the holiday spirit? Don't worry, here is a short list of things that will have you dreaming of dancing sugar plum fairies in no time!

1. Go see the Nutcracker.

The Nutcracker is a classic Christmas tale involving a young girl, a nutcracker, and an evil rat king. This popular story is displayed in the form of a ballet every holiday season, and will for sure get you excited to open up some presents on Christmas morning! And for those of you who can't make it out to the real deal, there are hundreds of movies and online video versions you can watch in the comfort of your own home.

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker: McCaw Hall, Seattle, Washington. November 27th - December 28th.

The Nutcracker: Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, Washington. December 23rd - December 24th.

2. Go to the zoo.

Zoolights/WildLights is a wonderful program that decorates zoos with more than half a million holiday lights. You can see a giant octopus, hammerhead shark, and more!

Woodland Park Zoo: Seattle, Washington. November 25th - January 1st.

Point Defiance Zoo: Tacoma, Washington. November 25th - January 1st.

3. Make a gingerbread house and cookies.

There is nothing more festive than holiday treats. Decorating a house and cookies while listening to Bing Crosby's beautiful Christmas carols really gets you into the spirit, and everything you create is edible! If you need some inspiration or just want to be amazed, check out the Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Hotel in Seattle.

4. Take a trip to Leavenworth.

For those of you who want to take a weekend field trip, Leavenworth, Washington, should be at the top of your list this December! This adorable Bavarian village is blanketed in snow at this time of year, and every weekend they light up the whole town in Christmas lights. There is hot cocoa, Christmas shopping, and live holiday music!

5. Go for a run (for a good cause).

Some people (myself included) have a hard time staying active when the weather gets colder and the days get shorter. A great way to get physical this season is to run for a cause! Here's a list of runs in Washington. Here are my personal favorites:

Ugly Sweater Run, a 5K marathon at Marymoor Park in Seattle on December 3rd.

Jingle Bell Run, a 5K marathon in Seattle on December 11th.

6. Decorate a tree! Or a bush! Or anything!

My favorite part of the season is the holiday decorating. Unfortunately, on a college student's budget, it is hard to afford as many Christmas decorations as you might want. For those of you who can't afford a real or fake tree, it can be just as fun decorate a cactus or the walls of your room!

7. Listen to some Christmas tunes.

Playing some holiday music is a surefire way of lifting your spirits. I highly recommend some of the classic artists, such as Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Burl Ives, and Ella Fitzgerald.

8. Have a "hot cocoa and Christmas movies" night.

Bundle up folks; it's cold out there! There's nothing better than a warm night in watching your favorite Christmas movies with a cup of cocoa and some friends. If you need some movie recommendations, I love "Holiday Inn," any of the original claymation movies, "Elf," and "The Christmas Story"!