I absolutely love Christmas time. It is literally my favorite time of the year! I love it because I get to spend time with my family and just have fun. I also love to craft! So I figured what better to write about then 10 of my favorite holiday things to do. They range from cooking, to crafts, to traditions that I have in my family. So here they are.

1. Making Christmas Cookies!

I love baking during the holidays! If I have any free time late at night you can always find me in the kitchen baking super tasty holiday treats! My favorite thing it make are sugar cookies with royal icing, like the ones in the picture. I also love making gingerbread houses and cupcakes as well!

2. Listening to Christmas Music!

Music, Christmas music in general: I love it. Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Dan + Shay's Version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" has to be one of my absolute favorites! I love Michael Buble's Christmas album (always the favorite in my house). Christmas music is just something my whole family can bond with. But y'all need to take a listen to Dan + Shay's Christmas song because it is the bomb dot com.

3. Making Homemade Ornaments!

Making homemade ornaments is something my whole family does. This is something that my family usually makes a night out of. The ornaments can range from the clear glass ones that we fill with a little bit of paint and glitter to solid color ones we write on to the salt dough ornaments that you bake. Any of these kinds of ornaments can make a boring night into a fun one. This is one of the many things I always look forward too!

4. Making Gingerbread Houses!

Gingerbread houses are always a fun thing to make in the winter. Whether you make them just for decoration or to eat though out the holidays, its a fun family activity. There are some years that we make our gingerbread from scratch as well as the icing the royal icing. Then some years we just buy the gingerbread house kits or the gingerbread train kits from the store. It just depends on how we want to do it that year. But either way they are so much fun and so yummy!

5. Decorating the Christmas Tree!

Decorating the Christmas tree is always a family affair. We all have to be home when it gets put up — no ifs, ands, or buts. It usually gets put up a day or two after Thanksgiving because that's when we are all home. When the tree goes up you know its the Christmas season. Each year, in my family, we get a new ornament. I tend to stick to either Tinkerbell, because she is my absolute favorite, or Disney Princesses. I will always be a Disney kid at heart.

6. Getting the Family Picture with Santa!

Most people probably think a picture with Santa is just for little kids. Well, I don't believe it is. We always get a family picture at Christmas with Santa. It a fun night out with my family and we have fun which is all that matters to me. Being away at college makes times with family like this something I will always love.

7. Watching "Elf" with My Family!

"Elf" — whenever you hear this you think of Buddy the elf. My little brother has loved this movie ever since it's been out, and he's 13! This is always a Christmas must-see. It's not the Christmas season unless you watch "Elf" at least five times! My family has and always will love this movie. I mean we can't sit through the movie without quoting it. That's the best part because it makes it so much better. But "Elf" is a Christmas must!

8. The $20 Gift Exchange!

Gift exchanges. These can be lame or they can be hilarious. In my family we do a gift exchange with the adults and one with the kids. The adults have to get two $20 gifts each. The gifts are usually joke/funny gifts and helpful gifts you can use around the house. Other times they can be oversized candy, snuggies, alcohol (for those over 21), and food. Now my family will literally hide the gift or not show what they got if they don't want anyone to steal it. This usually happens with the food. Why? Because my family's from Canada and we usually get Canadian candy and chips and put it into the exchange. Let me tell you, this exchange gets hella interesting. It's just one reasons why its my favorite.

9. Opening Presents on Christmas Morning!

Presents. Who doesn't love presents? Spending Christmas morning at home with my family is my absolute favorite. I love to see everyone's faces when we are opening gifts. No matter what is under the tree, we love the time we get to spend with family. We are grateful for anything and everything that we get.

10. Spending Time with My Family!

Spending time with the family. You can never spend to much time with your family. When you're away at college, no matter if it's an hour or two hours or 18 hours, you will always love coming home to see your family. You get to sleep in your own bed, you get home cooked meals, and best of all, all the time you get with your family. I love my mom, dad, brother, sister, brother-in-law, and my nephews. I don't know what I would do without them.

I wish everyone the best on their finals and on their trips home for break. Cherish the time you have with family and friends. Hope y'all have an amazing winter break. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Have a Happy New Year!