25 Things To Do Before Dec. 25 | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

25 Things To Do Before Dec. 25

Your ultimate Christmas countdown.

199
25 Things To Do Before Dec. 25
citiblogluton.com

1. Buy your advent calendar!

When it hit Dec. 1 last year and I was trying to make it to the end of my first ever college semester I had a near panic attack. Not because finals week was approaching, because it was the start of advent and I did not have a chocolate calendar to initiate the countdown. Thankfully, my mom was express-shipping my roommate and me one. Phew!

2. Plan your ABC Family binge watching.

Above is the most recent schedule!

3. Begin blasting Christmas music until you and your roommate get written up.

And if you haven't heard this rendition of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" then you don't have true Christmas spirit.

4. Go to a Christmas tree lighting.

If your town doesn't have one, watch New York light up its annual tree on TV, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

5. Get started on that shopping list.

Whether you conquered Black Friday or left all your gift-getting for Christmas Eve, you need to make sure you have the perfect list!

6. Make your Christmas list.

Don't forget about your Christmas wishes!

7. Make a list of good things you can do to give back.

But most importantly don't forget the true spirit of the season. Donate to a local Toys for Tots drive or spend a day making holiday meals at your town's soup kitchen! There are endless ways, big and small, to spread kindness.

8. Make a gingerbread house so good Justin Timberlake would approve.

This year try to decorate it with things you will actually eat, not just letting those plastic-like gum balls sit to rot for four weeks straight.

9. Decorate like a Pinterest pro.

This year's semester goal? Crush the Christmas decorating dorm room competition. (Wait, what do you mean that's not really a thing?)

10. Send Christmas cards to the troops!

Check out this site which has lots of ways you can give back to the men and women who give us all so much.

11. Enjoy a true "white Christmas."

Or at least pray for an inch on the ground at some point considering we're on record for the hottest year ever.

12. Christmas caroling!!!

If you have not gone Christmas caroling, you're missing out!!!

I know it's cheesy and walking up to a stranger's door to serenade them can be a strange and embarrassing feeling. But I do it nearly every year with my family and friends and I'm telling you the light in people's eyes when they open the door is priceless. Just sing the simplest thing like "Jingle Bells." Get decked out in some reindeer ears or festive glasses (see below) and you'll never forget how powerful the Christmas spirit can be. Trust me on this one, folks.

13. Abuse the excuse to dress up your pets.

C'mon, who can resist?

14. Watch "It's A Wonderful Life."

If you have not seen this movie, I don't know what you are doing reading this. Go watch this right now! If you thought I was serious about caroling, you're mistaken. This is serious right here. This is hands down one of the most iconic films in our history. A true masterpiece.

And don't fear the black and white picture because there is a color version for all you out there who just can't bear the thought! Keep an eye out for this classic on NBC; it always plays Christmas Eve.

15. Host a reunion screening of "Elf."

Forget "Friendsgiving," a movie night complete with sugar cookies, Santa hats, and everyone's favorite six-foot tall elf is the best way to celebrate you and all your friends being back together. A fraction of the cooking and twice the laughs. It's a no-brainer.

16. Deck out your res hall with as many snowflakes as you possibly can.

Winston Bishop is my spirit animal.

17. Have a cookie-making night!


This was an annual tradition my cousins and I had. Buy two rolls of Pillsbury cookie dough (one sugar, one gingerbread), some frosting and sprinkles, a couple festive cookie cutters and you're good to go! Often times we had more than all our families could handle, so handing them out caroling or having a movie night was a great solution. Who can say no to cookies?

18. Decorate the tree, duh.

You didn't think I was going to forget that did you?

19. And create (or add to) your very own ornament box.


Since I was little, my sisters and I have received new ornaments each year, thanks to my aunt. Now, we have individual boxes to store our large collections, in hopes to use these ornaments on our future family's trees. If you haven't started yours yet, go for it! (And keep it on the down-low so you can call dibs on the best ornaments before your siblings catch drift.)

20. Cruise the night with your fave people, scoping out the best Christmas lights.

There is one house in my town I could sit out in front of every night (if that wasn't considered stalking) and watch the lights twinkling to the music (which they have their own synced radio station for, mind you).

Get your gang together, blast some holiday tunes and try to find the best lights in your town. You could get real creative with a ranking system and awarding prizes.

21. Wrap your gifts like a boss.

You get the point.

22. Don't miss out on the SNL Christmas special.

Because sketches like "Dick In a Box," and "Shweaty Balls" are classics.

23. Glitter up your front lawn so the reindeer know where to land.

Doesn't everybody do that?

24. Make sure everything is perfect for the big night.

Just be sure to be in bed before Santa comes, obviously.

25. And get excited to do it all over again next year!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

196124
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

18402
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460518
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28121
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments