The holiday season is the best season of them all. Your life is filled with love, family, and friends. Christmas is a time that is joyful, and cherishing.

In order to be friends, there are a few things about Christmas, or things to do around Christmas time, that we must have in common.

1. Hallmark movie marathons

Okay, so yes, these movies have the stereotype of being cheesy, boring, or predictable, but there isn’t any other type of Christmas movie that makes you feel so happy, and satisfied afterwards. It never feels like Christmas until you watch these movies over and over again. The perfect love story plot, plus a Christmas time setting makes it to where it doesn’t get any better than curling up on the couch with friends while binge watching Hallmark channel!

2. Christmas shopping

It can be the worst experience ever, that’s why you need your friends there with you to help keep your sanity. They are also needed to talk you out of buying more stuff for yourself… It’s hard this time of the year to realize the few extra dollars you have lying around can’t be spent splurging on sweaters and cardigans that you have way too many of already, but instead used to buy Christmas gifts for the infinite amount of family members that you have.

3. Reuniting with hometown friends

One of the saddest things about moving away to college is leaving behind your closest BFF’s. You go from seeing them every day in high school, to only reconnecting when you come home around the holidays. That’s one of the reasons that makes Christmas so great because it is spent spending time you’ll cherish with friends that you aren’t able to see often.

4. Ice Skating

It can be filled with many memories, even if the memories consist of a bruise or two. Ice skating is not easy! It takes practice and patience, but if you are doing it with the right group of friends, you can make many memories that are priceless… and hopefully they’re the ones to pick you up when you fall down.

5. Baking

Being in college means it is a very rare occasion to be found in the kitchen, but Christmas time is the perfect time to break this habit and bake some Christmas cookies. No, I do not mean the ones you buy at the grocery store and throw in the oven, but instead the made from scratch, like your grandma is known for making. If you and your friends can manage to make these without burning them, or setting the kitchen on fire, then you’re doing a great job!

6. Exchanging secret Santa gifts

Secret Santa gifts can sometimes have the reputation of being lousy gifts that you do nothing with, but if you do secret Santa gift exchanges with your friends, you are bound to get good gifts. They are the ones that know you more than anyone and can relate to what you’d love as a gift. They know your taste in clothes, favorite food places for gift cards, and they have probably also heard you complain about previous gifts in the past, so they know what not to get you too.

7. Exploring the Christmas lights

Driving around trying to find houses decorated in millions of strands of lights is a must every Christmas. If you can find the houses that have the radio station connected to their Christmas lights, then you hit the jackpot. It can sometimes be hard to find houses that are all decked out in Christmas decorations, because there are a lot of scrooges out there, but when you do the sight is totally worth the adventure of getting there.

8. Christmas scented candles

If you don’t like the smell of Christmas trees and sugar cookies, then don’t come to my apartment during the holidays. When Bath and Body Works has a sale on candles, expect me to stop what I am doing in order to get there.

9. Singing Christmas songs at the top of our lungs

Christmas songs can be annoying and obnoxious... That is why they must be sang louder. The best friendships are formed by driving in the car singing songs at the top of your lungs.

10. Relaxing and enjoying hot chocolate or coffee

Hot chocolate is a necessity during the holiday season. It makes you feel warm and cozy, exactly like the spirit of Christmas makes you feel. If you need that extra caffeine, enjoy a cup of coffee instead filled with peppermint, or sugar cookie creamer. The definition of Christmas in a cup.