During finals week, whenever I wasn't studying (which was most of the time if I’m being completely honest…), I was constantly looking up cooking videos. To the point where it was obsessive. To the point where I decided that it would be a great idea to cook up so holiday dishes. Even though this "trauma" that I went through, I have to say that these gifs completely summarized my experience, and pretty much any holiday cooking mood.

1. Scrounging for decent holiday recipes

Because listen, you gotta impress the fam….so, of course, you instantly go to any recipes made by Gordon or Martha. No way are you going to be that one relative that brings in a cheesecake from the grocery store. It’s either homemade or not is all I’m saying.

2. Telling family members about your food plans...and instantly teased

Of course, teasing is done endearingly (I hope…), but how can you not get annoyed when everyone instantly questions your cooking skills? Like, excuse me?? Since when has my cooking/baking ever been bad? Honestly, I should just drop out now and go to culinary school.

3. Days later...rushing to the store to pick up last minute supplies

Okay...so you had it all planned right. You made a list of all the ingredients, all the steps, all the little sidenotes that you left for yourself. And yet...you still manage to pick up ingredients last minute…

4. Burning yourself more times than you can count

And trying not to swear out loud since there are most likely relatives around. ...you also gotta play it cool because there is no way are you going to look weak in front of these relatives that you see once a year who you KNOW are gossiping behind your back...

5. Constantly tasting your food…

‘Cause dang isn’t it good. Ya it might be burned slightly...and maybe the cheesecake mix is looking more on the liquidy side...but hey, at least it tastes good

6. Instantly regretting volunteering to cook a dish(es)

“Okay I gotta keep checking on the dish in the oven every 20 minutes...start prepping on the veggies for this other recipe...make sure to have the cheesecake rest in the oven before putting it in the fridge...and oh yeah, put some decent clothes on before you go out to the holiday party you lunatic… why did i sign up for this again??”

7. ...and then clapping yourself on the back with how good the food turned out

What can you say? The food was obviously going to be good. Honestly, you're debating right now whether you should drop out and go join one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants...