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5 Christmas Traditions

A Blast From The Past

Mackenzie Hunt

Dec 11, 2016

Millennials of Connecticut

1.The Christmas Pickle

The Christmas Pickle has been a tradition throughout my childhood and still today. The pickle is hidden somewhere in the Christmas tree and the child who finds the pickle is given a surprise gift. It is said to have originated in Germany, which is strange because I’m not German. Regardless, though it is a time to elbow your siblings and cheat your way toward another gift. (I’m sure my sisters know who I am referring too)

2.The Cookie Swap

The Annual Christmas Cookie Swap happens in December. It is normally a gathering of women who bake their specialty cookie. At the end of the Cookie Swap you should leave with a platter of assorted cookies. This plate is generally placed out for guests on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Also, cookie swaps are to be taken seriously and invitations are hard to come by. If you make a cookie that no one likes you probably will never be invited again, also people who bring store bought cookies never get invited back. (Some of you are now reading this and thinking WOW tough crowd, well Linda no one likes your lemon cookies with coconut shreds)

3.The Hallmark Channel Watchathon

I know this may seem cliché but the past couple of years my mother and I spend just about every night watching The Hallmark Channel from November twenty fifth right up too December twenty fifth. There is no better feeling than snuggling up by the fire while watching people fall in love in the midst of Christmas Spirit.

4.Reindeer Food

You read that right, REINDEER FOOD! Now every year as a kid a woman from my mother’s work would send my mom home with Magic Reindeer Food! I can remember as a kid being so excited to sprinkle the food on my front lawn so that the Reindeer had something to eat on Christmas Eve. Come to think of it I never did notice if it was actually ever gone, as a kid you don’t think of those things.

5.Stockings First

Our Christmas Day was always “structured”, idly you always wanted to go for the biggest gifts but rules are rules and stockings were always the first thing you went through. This is still practiced in our family even today.

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

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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