christmas Archives

Celebrate Christmas in Style: Ways to Make Your Home Feel Festive

Finally, the holiday season is here and we can start living surrounded by Christmas cheer. No matter if you prefer a more religious aspect of the holidays or simply enjoy the vibes and the presents, you will definitely do something to prepare your home for the merriest time of the year. If you want to celebrate in style, be surrounded by Christmas vibes and impress all your guests, here are a few things you can do to your home to make it more festive yet stylish:

Light it up

The most iconic way to decorate your home for Christmas is to hang festive lights around the house. There are people who really push this part of the holiday season to the limit, but you don’t have to turn your home into Santa’s village in order to achieve a beautiful effect. Just grab some simple monochromatic lights and go around your windows and entrance. If you have any trees in your yard, dress them up in lights as well. Each evening when you turn on your lighting, you’ll feel a heart-warming surge of Christmas spirit.

Be creative with the tree

If you’re planning to celebrate Christmas in style this year, you might want to rethink your tree. While traditional trees always look pretty and iconic, you can take a different route this time. You can opt for a minimalist wooden tree that can also be decorated and painted. Or you can make a tree entirely out of baubles and lights. What about a tree made of wrapped presents?

Make over the entrance

The entrance makes the biggest impression on everyone who steps inside your home, so make sure to make it extra festive. For instance, you can create a beautiful holiday wreath for your front door and switch up your regular doormat for something more Santa-inspired.

Give your home a makeover

While for many, December is not the most popular month to paint inside or outside the house, some parts of the world, like Australia, enjoy super-hot weather during this time. So use your warm weather to refresh your home for the holiday. Invite experienced residential painters from Sydney to your home and settle on a new color palette. This might be a more significant investment than hanging lights, but it will be worth it because the effects will be amazing. Pros know how to give the best advice on colors and techniques, and thanks to their experience, your project will be done just in time for Christmas.

Christmas cushions and throws

If you want a fast and easy way to incorporate some extra warmth, softness and cheer into your home, grab a few holiday-inspired cushions. Depending on your interior, you can opt for simple red and green cushions or choose something more elaborate with embroidered Christmas motifs on velvet. Whimsical cushions and throws are a great way to add fun to your home without getting committed to it. Add a soft white throw to your couch or armchair and it will look just like soft snow-covered hills during winter.

Add comforting smells with candles

What aromas do you associate with Christmas? Is it freshly-baked cookies? Maybe some cinnamon and apple tea? Or is it fresh pine coming from your Christmas tree? Whatever it is, there’s a scented candle smelling just like that! Add a few aromatic candles to your coffee table centerpiece, mantle or work desk and don’t hesitate to light them up whenever you want to relax and get into the holiday spirit. Placing candles in your window will also provide some extra natural decoration with a soft aesthetic, just make sure to remove your curtains.

Spray some artificial snow

It simply feels festive to have a white Christmas, no matter where you are from. Even those living in hot climates can get their wish with artificial snow. There are different types of this magical holiday addition, but the easiest one to handle comes in a spray form. You can spray snow on the windows and make fun pictures—this is especially interesting for kids. But don’t forget to add some to your tree and fireplace mantle. The best thing about spraying snow is that it’s easy to apply and clean up and it’s not messy.

Go green and natural with decoration

If you have a bunch of vintage decorations that you reuse every year, that’s an amazing practice that will save you money and keep the planet nice and green. Most new decorations are made with low-quality plastic, making them bad for the environment. Opt for natural decorations like driftwood, pine branches, and recycled paper ornaments if you want to decorate for Christmas yet stay green. These look festive and elegant and won’t fill the landfill.

Use these ideas to decorate your home this holiday season and welcome Christmas in style. Be sure that everyone, including you, will be impressed with your decoration skills and elegant tastes.

Preparing Your Home for Christmas

Christmas is around the corner, and preparing your home for the festivities is probably the best way to enter the Christmas mood effortlessly. They say that having a visual cue is the simplest way to remind yourself of something important. Well, Christmas decorations can help remind you that the holiday, your day off, and all the good things that come with it are just around the corner.

This can help you power through some of the hardest days at the office and ensure that the interpersonal relationships in your home are at an all-time high. Here’s what you need to do to get there.

When Should You Start Decorating Your House for Christmas?

There are too many opinions on this subject matter. Some people start decorating as soon as Halloween is over, while some wait for the middle of December to get going. The truth is that there’s no general rule and that anyone who comes out with a definitive statement is doing nothing but expressing their elitist, gatekeeping stances.

There are a few things to take into consideration, nonetheless. First of all, Christmas decoration is usually quite power-hungry. So, starting sooner and taking it down later might be noticeable on your power bill.

Second, the very reason why Christmas decoration is so special is that it’s not there all year round. So, some might find that the longer they keep it, the less special it feels.

Lastly, if you’re hoping to see a date or any date, many people are putting up their Christmas tree (and the rest of the decorations) on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Nonetheless, it’s your house and your rules reign supreme.

How Do I Make My House Cozy for Christmas?

The first thing you need to do is ensure that there’s an ambiance of coziness in your home. Just think about snow and why it makes Christmas so special. Sure, you like making snowmen, practicing your aim with snowballs, and making snow angels… for about 20 minutes on the first snowy day. The rest of the month, you’re just shoveling snow from your driveway and avoiding muddy patches on the sidewalk. The real special feeling comes from the ambiance of it being snowy outside and cozy indoors.

To achieve this, you must first appeal to all the senses. Naturally, you want the home to be warm, so if your home is on the older side, you need to learn how to seal your windows for winter. When it comes to your heat source, there’s nothing wrong with an electrical heater but being able to produce a real fire (either through a fireplace or a wood stove) is incredibly important. The crackling of fire can add to the whole Christmas ambiance.

Speaking of which, the crackling of fire and howling of wind outside should be the natural aspect of your Christmas soundtrack. These, however, are not something that you’ll be able to affect. It’s not like you’ll order a wood-burning stove just for this Christmas, and you have even less control over the snow. On the other hand, you can make an amazing Christmas soundtrack. It’s also worth mentioning that all these Ambiental noises (wood crackling in fire, i.e.) can be found on YouTube.

Finally, you want to light up some scented candles and put some cinnamon buns in the oven. This way, your home will be filled with an authentic Christmas scent.

Clean and Stock Up

Cleaning your home before Christmas is incredibly important, seeing as how, during this period, you’ll be spending a lot more time indoors. First of all, you’ll probably be on your Christmas holiday. Second, the weather outside is going to be wetter and muddier, which means that your hallway might get particularly dirty if you’re not tending to it regularly. Third, it’s not unlikely that you’ll entertain more guests than you usually would.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that during the holiday season, there’s usually a buying frenzy. So, if you want to get gifts for everyone, as well as stock up on your home for your private celebration, it’s best that you make a list and start buying as soon as possible.

Christmas Decoration Checklist

Lastly, we come to the part that you’ve all expected since the title – the decoration. Now, keep in mind that everyone’s list is different, so feel free to cross off anything that you don’t see as necessary and add anything that we might have left out. Generally speaking, you should at least:

● Put up a Christmas tree

● Distribute ornaments around the house

● Hang a Christmas wreath on your entrance door

● Look for figurines of Santa Clause and his reindeer

● Hang Christmas stockings on the mantle

These five items are the basics and, combined with the steps we’ve described in the segment about making your home cozier, should be enough to introduce the spirit of Christmas in your home. If you want to add a bit extra, you can always look for figurines you need to set up the nativity scene, as well as add candles, tinsel, mistletoe, etc. One of the ways to gain some extra inspiration is to look up various decoration ideas online.

One of the best things about Christmas is that it’s a family holiday, which is why you should avoid doing it all on your own. Enlist some help and turn the Christmas decoration into a group activity. Remember, it’s all about the spirit of Christmas, and this decoration project might be exactly what you need to set it up. They say that, for the holidays, there’s no place like home. Make sure that your home lives up to these expectations.

Wrap Up

The last thing you need to understand is that preparing your home for Christmas doesn’t take too much effort. How is this possible, seeing as how there’s so much there to do? Well, because a lot of people don’t see it as effort. The very act of preparing your home for Christmas is one of the most universally loved activities around the year. With that in mind and a brief list to help you out, you can almost get started.

About The Author

Stacey is a freelance writer living in Minnesota with her cat, and she’s passionate about yoga, languages, home improvement, and drinking strong coffee. Find her on Twitter @StaceyShann0n

What To Expect When You Bring Your SO Home For The Holidays

The holidays are meant for family. You eat too much, give and receive gifts, and you enjoy being in the company of those you love- including your boyfriend.

When you first tell your family that he is coming home with you everyone is more excited as ever to meet him, but here are a few things that happen we he does come home with you.

1. Your parents feel awkward about the two of you sharing a room.

While you have been away from home you have gotten used to having sleepovers at your boyfriend’s, but your parents are just not ready to acknowledge that fact.

After an awkward conversation, they allow it, as long as there is no “funny business”… whatever that means.

2. You end up telling the story of how you two met about 1000 times to different family members.

And the worst part is, there is nothing too romantic about meeting each other at a party, is there?

3. You get nervous every time you look over and he is alone talking to one of your relatives.

Immediately you wonder what they are talking about and praying that he doesn’t say anything stupid.

4. You realize sometimes you need your space.

Spending a whole week with your family plus your boyfriend can be a bit much and everyone needs time to themselves but in the end, you will cherish the time you are able to be with all of them.

5. You realize that no matter what, your family will accept who you date because they believe in your judgement.

After all of the stressing over if they will like him or not, by the end of the week you realize that none of it mattered because they love you so they will love him.

Consider Gifting Experiences When Giving This Christmas

The Holidays are here and everyone is doing their online and offline shopping. Kids have their list of wants and desires and gifting for your significant other seems extra significant this year. After all, we have experienced a pandemic, climate change, supply chain woes, and economic as well as personal highs and lows this year.

Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t been all bad. Some of us have made personal discoveries during these socially distanced times. Some of us have switched careers or started a new hobby. For me, taking on tennis has been something that has come out of this strange time. And I really love it. And the friendships that I have made.

After being in isolation, and social quarantine for so long, the gift of community and trying new things could be the most thoughtful way to gift give this year.

Here are some thoughtful experiences that you can gift your loved one this Holiday.

Gift Cards That Get You Together

Instead of thinking big, think local. Restaurants are still struggling to make up for lost revenue from the pandemic, and fitness instructors are finally able to teach in person. Movie theaters that survived are ready for your business. So why not gift your sister a package renewal of her favorite fitness class? Or your bestie and you can sign up for dance classes together? Movie tickets for your brother and a gift card to your beaus favorite restaurant so you can have a romantic evening out. Looking at a new restaurant to try? How about taking that friend you have yet to catch up with in person? Concerts are back and so are all major events. Look at ticket centers to see who is performing and when. Gifting experiences locally not only support your community but they also encourage time with the people you love.

Plan A Trip Together

Vaccine card requirements, booster shots and a fundamental understanding of mask wearing while traveling has been established. So why not plan a trip with friends and family? Look to travel apps to find deals and book hotels. Making time for your loved on to take a trip encourages adventure and much needed time together.

Book A Spa Day

Want to catch up with your gal pals? Why not schedule some spa time. Self care is so needed after the last two years. And what better way to show your besties how much you care about them then booking them a treatment at your local spa?

Schedule A Holiday Brunch

There is nothing better than brunch with friends. So picking up the tab or buying the mimosas can be a quick on the fly present for your friends that support a shared experience.

Spend Time Indoors that is meaningful for you as a group.

Instead of justing binging on Netflix like you usually do at home. Skip the screen time and try bringing modern day meaningful games to family time this year. Games such as OuiSi, a photo card game that helps foster creativity and builds mindful connections through imagery and thoughtfulness.

Be Philanthropic

Kids can learn a lot about Social Responsibility if you gift them an endangered animal to adopt and support throughout the year. Or teach them by taking them to an animal sanctuary or gifting them a membership to an organization that could use support this year. Check out Charity Navigator for ideas.

Conclusion

Shop locally for experiences that your family member or loved ones are doing regularly to support their favorite habits or gift them new experiences to try.

52 Reasons There’s Really No Place Like Home for the Holidays

The song says it best; there really is no place like home for the holidays.

Home is where you can walk around in the dark and not bump into anything. It is where you know all of the little nooks and crannies.

Home is the place that warms your heart just thinking about it.

The best parts of going home for the holidays are:

1. The specific scent of your house

2. Laying in your comfy bed instead of your one at school

3. Getting to catch up with old friends

4. Visiting the local coffee shop

5. How everything is so very familiar

6. Having access to a full fridge

7. Seriously though, my fridge is almost empty

8. A full pantry too

9. Home cooked meals

10. Binge watching all of the shows you need to catch up on.

11. Having time to binge watch Netflix

12. Loving on your family pet

13. A bathroom you didn’t have to clean

14. Being able to drink good alcohol

15. Catching up on the family drama

16. And hometown drama

17. Lots and lots of sleep

18. Being able to do absolutely nothing

19. Getting a break from trying to adult

20. Heat and air conditioning that you don’t have to pay for

21. Maybe your mom will do laundry for you

22. And take you grocery shopping before you leave

23. Getting to see your extended family

24. No obligations to anyone or anything

25. The traditions

26. Seeing your siblings

27. Grandma making anything you want

28. I’m a sucker for my grandma’s baking

29. Taking un-needed things there for storage

30. Having access to a good iron

31. A real decorated house

32. Having friends to question your life choices with

33. Making more questionable choices

34. Nothing is better than fresh coffee to wake up to

35. Curling up with a good book

36. Not feeling guilty for reading just to read

37. Getting to watch the presents pile up under the tree

38. The big hugs your nieces and nephews first give you

39. Drives by my favorite places

40. Eating out at your favorite non-chain restaurant

41. How happy community members are to see you

42. Everyone coming up and giving you big hugs

43. People being genuinely happy to see you

44. Being genuinely happy to see people that know you best

45. Not having to deal with roommates

46. Having good water pressure

47. Loving on your pets

48. Getting to bum around in your comfy clothes all day

49. Reminiscing with old friends

50. Holiday movie marathons

51. Good quality toilet paper

52. Spending the holidays with the people you love the most

5 Top Christmas Travel Destinations

It’s the holiday season when many people start to prepare to host family and friends. If you’re like me, however, I am preparing to get as far away as possible from my family and friends this holiday season.

With these five destinations, there will be plenty of opportunities to get away from the drudgery of hosting and spending time with family while experiencing how other parts of the world celebrate Christmas.

1. Fiji

Fiji is considered a romantic getaway so it’s a great Christmas destination for couples and young families – especially at Christmas. The Fijians party hard at this time of year, with a mixture of celebrations throughout the entire two-week period building up to New Year’s Eve. Communities come together to sing, dance and feast on “lovo” – a variety of dishes that are slow-cooked in banana leaves.

2. New York

First-timers to New York feel as though they are in a film – so you can already imagine that Christmas is a magical time to visit the city that never sleeps. And whilst you’re there, why not take a movie tour and visit the sets of iconic Christmas films including Scrooge, Elf, Home Alone 2 and Miracle on 34th Street. As you would expect from the Americans, New York has the most elaborate decorations, the most lights and the biggest displays including the Lincoln Centre lights, the Rockefeller Tree lights and Bryant Park winter village.

3. Reykjavic Iceland

Iceland does Christmas like nowhere else; they have 26 days of Christmas, 13 Santas and an irrepressible group of Yule Lads. On top of that, the Christmas markets, ice-skating rinks on frozen ponds and the delicious offerings of Christmas buffets provide a uniquely different Christmas. And with tours to witness the white, pink, green and purple streaks in the night sky provided by the Aurora Borealis, there are no other Christmas lights in the world that compares with this natural light display.

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

With its awe-inspiring network of canals, Amsterdam is one of the most attractive cities in the world any time of year. At Christmas, the “big village” takes on a truly magical quality that has to be experienced at least once in your lifetime – mainly due to the incredible Light Festival. In addition, you will find an endless chorus of carols, live music shows, sumptuous food, Christmas markets and romantic quality of lights shimmering on the surface of the water. If you want to experience something different this Christmas, Amsterdam is very different!

5. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague’s medieval downtown looks like something straight out of a fairytale. The cobbled streets and gothic architecture around Old Town Square bring the romanticism of Christmas to the surface. Christmas in Prague has a special vibe and is a must for the street food alone – delicious servings of Czech delicacies including deep-fried carp, the mouthwatering winter food, halušky and the sumptuous trdelník, a sweet pastry topped with cream and dressings. Prague is one of the most photogenic cities in the world – at Christmas, it’s even better.

Wherever you decide to go this Christmas and New Year, make sure you have a truly magical experience and hire a local tour guide. The locals know where to go and where to avoid – and with the bustling Christmas crowds, local knowledge is a gift.

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7 Reasons Why December is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

No matter where you live or what religion you are, December is the best month of the year.

1. Snow

While living in the North, snow makes the winter just a tiny bit better. The first snowfall is flawless. Seeing the snow on trees is absolutely breathtaking.

2. Santa is Coming

Nobody is more excited about Christmas than Buddy the Elf. Santa is coming on December 25th! Children all over the world wait for this day all year.

They all hope to be on Santa’s good list rather than naughty so they don’t get a lump of coal in their stocking.

Kids will leave cookies and milk out for Santa at night so he has a snack when he stops by. When they wake up and see that part, or all, of the cookie is gone, they know Santa stopped by!

3. And even if you’re not Christian…

The religion of Judaism celebrates Hanukkah. This holiday is celebrated on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Jewish calendar.

It lasts eight days on each day a candle of the menorah is lit. This means eight day of presents.

This holiday is very important to the people of Judaism because it commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

4. Christmas Music

‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la, la la la la. Christian or not, Christmas music always gets people in a holly jolly mood.

From Silent Night talking about the night that Jesus was born to Santa Clause is Coming to Town.

World wide, both songs are very popular. Christmas songs fill the air with joy and smiles are shown from ages one to one hundred.

5. Christmas Movies

Home Alone, A Christmas Story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown, and Elf are just a couple classic Christmas movies in the United States.

6 Winter Break

No school? For over two weeks? What’s not to like? Elementary schools get ot have winter class parties and celebrate the holidays while college students celebrate by finals being over.

Middle and high schoolers on the other hand usually have projects that are due when winter break ends which honestly, well, it sucks.

7. Pretty Lights

Lights are decorated all over trees, houses, stores, just everywhere. New York City is one of the most beautiful places this time of year.

Time Square is lit up even more than usual. It really is the city that never sleeps.

How to make Your Christmas Gifts stand Out from Others

They say it is better to give then to receive. It is definitely true for adults, as they aim to please the people they love, by finding the right gift for them. But as Christmases come and go, it is getting harder every year, to find the one that will brighten everyone’s smile. Here are a few ideas that should help you be the best Santa, this year.

Spend Time on Details

It is true about most things we accomplish in life: The more we go into details, the better the results will be. Therefore, this Christmas, make sure that you do everything right, by thinking of things others won’t. It starts by acquiring a printed ribbon to place on each present you will offer. By having them made professionally with the message you want to spread out, people will be left speechless. You can have your name on them and a wish for all. It will guarantee that you stand out.

Don’t go for the wrapping paper you find in just about every store. No matter how intricate the print is, it is still just wrapping paper, in the end. Go to a textile store and choose a variety of them, in which you will wrap the gifts. Make sure that the print and colour fit the personality of each people. And if you can sow, make the wrapping textile a present at the same time, by turning them into beautiful scarves, as well.

Look for Information

We often spend too much time thinking about what people want, instead of looking for what they need and would be happy to receive. That is why we should ask the people around them for advice, by asking what they believe is the perfect gift. If you receive all kind of different answers, then you will have to dig deeper and find a way to ask the person directly, without him or her understanding that you are thinking of a Christmas gift. But if the answers you get are similar, or one comes up more often, then you have probably found the right Christmas gift.

Offer Something that will last through Time

Too many gifts end-up going into a closet and spending the rest of their time on earth in there. Others are simply consumed right away and forgotten in a matter of days or weeks. What you really want this Christmas is to give a present that will stay in the person’s life forever. There are many solutions, but here are two that should be taken into consideration.

A Common Gift

You can buy a piece of jewelry for someone and get the same for yourself. It will become a bond in time, that will unite the two of you, for as long as you wear it. For the wildest of our readers, why don’t you offer a matching tattoo?

An Unforgettable Trip

The other solution is to offer a trip, that you will spend together. It has to be something important, though. You can travel on the other side of the world or head to Disney – this one always works, as it will fill you and the person who received the gift, with incredible memories.

17 Things People Obsessed with the Holidays Understand

Sure, a lot of people say they love the holidays, but to you “love” is an understatement.

1. You mark every holiday, including unofficial national days, on the calendar.

There is always a reason to celebrate – literally, every single day can be a holiday if you want it enough. Especially when more than one holiday falls on the same date, like, National Drink Beer Day, for example.

National Drink Beer Day is on the very same day as National Good Neighbor Day and National Strawberry Cream Pie Day. So there’s a perfectly good reason as to why you’re standing on your neighbor’s porch, ready with a six pack of cold ones and a strawberry cream pie.

2. You have your present game ready by summertime.

You know exactly who’s getting what present, how much it is going to cost, where you’re gonna get it, and what color scheme you’re going with for wrapping paper, by mid-August at the latest.

3. Your favorite Christmas movie is ELF, hands down.

You know every single word of Elf by heart. In fact, you quote the movie on a regular basis starting on September 23rd (the autumnal equinox).

4. You purchase your Halloween outfit MONTHS in advance.

A lot of careful planning goes into choosing your Halloween ensemble. You want it to be the best Halloween outfit yet, so by January you’ve compiled a list of viable costume options and have scoured the internet for the best deal.

5. Your apartment could easily be mistaken for a Bath and Bodyworks store.

Pumpkin spice, vanilla bean, and brown sugar cinnamon scented candles? YES PLEASE.

6. You listen to holiday tunes on the reg.

Every day you are jamming out to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas.”

7. You’re a pumpkin carving champion.

You keep tracing paper, cutouts, and carving utensils conveniently packed in a portable sack, just in case there is a pumpkin somewhere that needs your amazing carving abilities.

8. Your Netflix queue is overflowing with holiday movies.

From Hocus Pocus, to The Craft, to A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, to Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, you have it all.

9. You force everyone to get in the spirit, including your animals.

Your dog has been dressed as a pumpkin since September first.

10. You enjoy buying and wearing ugly sweaters.

Your closet is full of light-up reindeer sweaters, and you freaking love it.

11. You make it a point to incorporate peppermint into every meal.

Candy Canes and peppermint mocha lattes is all your diet entails from the time October begins to the end of January.

12. You call your grandma at least twice a week to make sure of any menu changes.

You enjoy talking to your grandma, really. But, when the holidays come around it’s strictly business.

We’re still having mashed potatoes, right?

Okay. Good. Expect a call same time next week.

13. You have decorative bowls of candy just sitting around.

You channel your grandparents by filling your apartment with several decorative glass bowls full of candy.

14. You have boxes and boxes of decorations.

Each box has a date and time at which you must unpack its contents and DECORATE!

15. You bake more than Betty Crocker.

Sugar cookies are your b*tch.

16. Your social media accounts are covered in snowflakes and all things seasonal.

Your Facebook cover photo fluctuates from pumpkins to snowflakes to candy canes to snowmen to tree ornaments.

17. Your holiday lights are up and running a week before Thanksgiving.

Your electric bill is through the roof, but it’s holiday season, so YOLO.

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9 Things Single People Hate About the Holidays

The holidays were practically designed to cater to all of the lovey-dovey couples of the world. Where’s the love for us singles?

1. When you’re single, family is the pretty much the only option.

We’re talking every holiday dinner including New Year’s… that is four or more occasions in which you will be asked several times over and over again why you haven’t found that special someone yet.

Just a constant reminder that you are absolutely alone in this world.

2. As if that isn’t terrible enough, they try to help you.

Now you not only have to listen about your single AF status, but you have Aunt Gertrude trying to explain why you’re single… “Oh, honey you need to be more social”… and “What about the nice little Jewish boy down the street?”

And it’s so great because who doesn’t love to be reminded of their imperfections, especially the ones you didn’t even know existed.

3. You leave dinner early only to watch holiday movie re-runs alone in the dark.

Holiday movies are a wonderful, stomach-warming thing – if you’re in love that is. Without love, holiday movies are pointless, which is why you are now flipping through the channels mindlessly to find anything else.

4. When you try to escape from sappy holiday movies, all you find are Kay jewelry ads.

Oh isn’t it lovely, all the snow, sparkles, and unicorn magic that left you cold, single, and alone during this glorious season? Who doesn’t love those Kay Jeweler commercials? Next time you hear “Every kiss begins with Kay” you might just punch someone.

5. Receiving cheesy Hallmark postcards from your coupled-up friends.

What’s in the mail? Bills. Bills. Bills. Oh and a stack of beautiful postcards adorned with photos of your closest friends and their boyfriends snuggled up on sleds, kissing in a pumpkin patch, and building a snowman together.

6. You see mistletoe literally everywhere you go.

It’s in the doorway of the coffee shop, the archway of your favorite store, and the doorjamb of the freaking bathroom. When does the madness stop?

What even is mistletoe? And who made it a kissing plant, anyway? Whoever it was obviously wasn’t single.

7. Your only food option for weeks is leftover pumpkin pie.

All of your friends are happily canoodling at all of the best, super hard to get into without a 2 person minimum, restaurants… so going out is obviously not an option.

If you can’t join them, out eat them. After all, the best part of the holidays is the food, right? #LeftoeversForDays

8. You’re forced to come to terms with holiday weight gain.

The holiday depression mixed with too much egg nog and a pound of the sweet ham your grandmother made is pretty much a permanent part of your stomach now. But to you it doesn’t matter because you have no one to look cute for, so more whip cream on top of whip cream it is!!

9. Waking up hungover and alone.

There is nothing worse than waking up completely alone on Christmas day. Who will open presents with you? Oh… wait. What presents? And what about the Christmas brunch that follows the present opening?

Being single has not only ruined two of the best things in the world – brunch and presents, duh – but being single has also destroyed every day in between October and January.

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