Halloween just ended, and it’s taking everything in me not to climb in my attic and pull down the garland and Christmas tree ornaments. In an attempt to hide my Christmas obsession and stop myself from putting up the tree and wrapping gifts on November 1st, I’ve put my time into a Thanksgiving/Christmas bucket list (but mostly Christmas, sorry). It’s the best time of the year, and there’s so many things you shouldn’t miss out on or forget to do, so bear with me.

1. Start Christmas shopping now. Why procrastinate trying to buy all your gifts in December, when you can start the fun a month in advance?
2. Go ahead and make that Christmas playlist on Spotify for car rides, bath time, before you sleep, and everything in between!
3. I know this sounds cheesy, but I do it every year and it’s super humbling. Make a list of the top 30 things you’re thankful for. It’ll make you feel happy, I promise!
4. Try having a fall photo shoot with some of your friends! Capture each other and all the leaves changing colors. Anywhere is fine really, as far as location, but I highly suggest mountains for extra landscape beauty!
5. Make sure you gather all the best foods for your Thanksgiving feast and invite the people you love most to join you. Grandma? Check. Fun neighbor down the street? Check.
6. Thanksgiving morning, remember to put your TV on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade! Totally worth it, I promise.
7. Put on the playlist discussed in #2, and decorate for Christmas!!These Put up your tree, some pretty lights, stockings, mistletoe, and your snowman pillows!
8. Have Christmas movie nights with cookies and hot chocolate to wind down from your long, cold, December days.
9. You have to wear an ugly Christmas sweater at least once, okay?
10. Host a Christmas cookie baking contest, and see which one of your friends has the tastiest and most creative cookies. Super fun time, and you get to eat delicious treats. Win win!
11. Exchange gifts with all your loved ones. Gifts are my love language, so every year I get so excited to find custom presents for my peeps.
12. Tune into the Hallmark channel for your daily dose of holiday flicks!!
13. Grab a friend and make a gingerbread house! Key ingredients: graham crackers, icing (you need something to serve as glue to hold your house together), candy canes/peppermints, hershey kisses, sprinkles, & m&ms!) Those are my favorites, but you decorate to your heart’s content with whatever you like!
14. Get in the car, clad in your favorite snowman PJ’s. Go grab your favorite Starbucks’ coffee & a pal. Then venture out into the night in search of all the best neighborhoods with Christmas lights/yard decorations. Don’t forget your playlist!
15. Last but not least, on December 25th, sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Before you open the presents under the tree and start calling your friends about what you received. Just sing Him his song. He’s the reason for the season, after all!

I think this little bucket list veered more to the Christmas side, but I can’t help it! I hope you try some of these, because these things are what absolutely MAKE my year every year. Have a FABULOUS holiday season, and go have some fun with your loved ones! Toodles!