It’s getting to be that time of year again; winter holiday time. That season of the year where you see nothing but stuffed turkeys and blow-up Santas all over the place. While many of you will be blaring “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and buying new sweatpants for Thanksgiving dinner, I would usually be doing my best to avoid each and every one of you partaking in the holiday spirit.
Don't get me wrong, I’m as thankful as the next person, and I love the meaning behind Christmas, but all the things that go along with it just aren’t for me. Who knows why that may be, but I certainly expected to be a “Scrooge of all seasons” forever. Turns out, that was all about to change.
As a freshman at SEMO, I knew my outlook on some subjects would vary, but I definitely did not think my feelings about the holidays would. Ironically enough, when it came to making friends at school, I just happened to meet three “die-hard holiday fans” and befriended them instantly. I wasn’t aware then of their absolute love for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but boy do I know it now. I’m currently surrounded by binge-watching of Christmas movies on Netflix, “Michael Buble’s Christmas” radio station on Pandora, and now a “25 Days of Fallon” in order to get my spirits up. Yes, “25 Days of Fallon” that will now consist of one small gift a day and festive activities until Winter break to “keep my spirits up.” These three friends of mine have come together to make the most of my holiday season. Has it been ridiculously obnoxious listening to how much they’re going to try and make me love this time of year? Of course. Am I terrified of what I might be getting myself into with these friendships? Absolutely. However, I am almost filled with joy to possibly be starting a new trend, a new love for this holiday season.
Throughout these next two months these friends of mine are planning to put their all into making me enjoy this November and December. I raise a glass to their dedication because I’m quite hardheaded. I deeply admire their love for not only the season, but for me as well. It is such a moving feeling to know that other people hold this time so dear to their hearts that they would be willing to tackle this opposition I have towards the winter season. While all four of us go on this journey to “get festive” for the season, I’m going to need all the luck I can get.
That being said, if you find yourself being a bit of a scrooge this time of the year, here’s a little “how to” I have come up with on being festive.
How to be festive:
1. Netflix and Chill to some cheesy Christmas classics.
Curl up with someone, or your furry pet, and enjoy a nice Christmas movie about a Red-Nosed reindeer that’s a little make believe, or a repetition of 12 failed dates, leading to a Christmas love story, the cornier, the better.
2. Spotify or Pandora - those obnoxious Christmas radios.
Every time you get in your car, turn one on and have yourself a merry little concert, safely.
3. Put up that mini Christmas tree.
Heck, make a paper one and tape that to your door if you must.
4. Get holiday attire.
For example, get those “oh so beautiful” Christmas sweaters that have a 3-D Santa hanging off of them and light up the world.
5. Volunteer somewhere.
Go to a soup kitchen, food pantry, or even ring a bell for the Salvation Army. Anything will do.
6. Make that list and check it twice.
That list being one filled with things for which you're thankful.
7. Turn back time.
Get a group of friends and bake some cookies for Santa, get some milk, then devour all the cookies later.
8. Another list, but this one's for Santa.
Turn back time again and write down “All I want for Christmas is…”
9. Looking forward.
Start a countdown, even if it starts the day after Christmas. Get yourself excited for what's to come.
10. Spread Christmas cheer for all to hear.
Get yourself some elf ears, call yourself “Buddy,” and spread that Christmas cheer through song.
In doing all of these things, don't forget to surround yourself with people who help get you in the spirit. For my part, I have to thank my three friends: Emily Long, Ashley Long, and Taylor Ferrell for working at getting me out of my Scrooge-y slump.
