1. Weekly movie nights

Whether you're with your family, your significant other, or just watching Netflix in your dorm room, take a night (or more) each week to take a break, make hot chocolate, pop popcorn, and curl up to watch Hallmark movies, 25 days of Christmas, or the next episode of whatever you're binging on Netflix this semester.

2. Do something for someone else.

I feel like I should include this because the Christmas season tends to bring the helping side of us out. However, do something kind for someone in January or August too. Yes, be kind and show love this month, but let that be a quality you possess no matter the temperature or how many leaves are on the trees. Just be kind. Do good. Help out. Love one another.

3. Keep the traditions— even the little ones.

If you don't have any, make some. To me, it wouldn't be Christmas without watching It's a Wonderful Life the week of Christmas, or opening up brand new pajamas on Christmas Eve, making sausage balls for Santa (yes, we still leave Santa a snack on my nineteenth Christmas) or drinking mom's hot chocolate on Christmas morning. It doesn't sound like much, but it's Christmas to me.

4. Don't stress.

About tree decorating, gift giving, Christmas cooking, or especially family planning. Nothing ruins the holidays more than stress and arguments. Whether you're trying to find room for 10 people to sleep or breaking the news that you'll have to have Christmas on the 26th this year, remember that these family members are what make the holidays worth all the stress and money and time. It's all about sitting around the dinner table, talking, laughing, catching up. It's about exchanging meaningful gifts, playing Dirty Santa, throwing a football outside. It's about the pictures you'll always go back to look at. It's about having these moments and making these memories with people you love, who love you, who help make you who are.

Hope you all have a very merry December!