The Christmas season is officially upon us! Everywhere you look it is as if the sugar plum fairies from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker came out of hiding and puked Christmas all over everything. However, Christmas happens to be one of my favorite holidays of all time and so I fully support all of the holiday craziness we currently find ourselves in. Here are some basic essentials everyone needs in order to ring in the holiday season with style.

1. Christmas Decorations

Christmas decorations are must when ringing in the holiday season. My Mom loves to decorate for Christmas. In fact, to be completely honest, I love every single second of watching her decorate if I happen to be home from school when she does it. She always makes the house look so beautiful, welcoming and festive. I have never told her this but I love watching her get super excited and seeing the priceless smile on her face that she gets every year that brings me so much joy. Decorating the tree has also always been a big tradition in my house and I cannot wait to pass these traditions and many others like it on to my own family someday.

2. Large cups of hot chocolate and/or other warm beverages

When the weather grows colder outside, it is natural that everyone chooses to opt out of the colder beverage in favor of a warmer one. In the case of the holidays, though, this means that every coffee shop within a five mile radius comes out with their various seasonal drinks and that's right everyone, Christmas cups. I personally love seasonal drinks and cups. I simply can not embrace the holidays without them. Some of my personal favorites include the Peppermint Hot Chocolate and the Peppermint Chai Tea from Starbucks Coffee. Basically, I love anything and everything with peppermint in it because, let's be honest, who doesn't love peppermint? In the end I don't really care how or where you get your hands on a warm beverage this Christmas season, I just want everyone to enjoy one. There is something spiritual that happens when someone takes a few minutes out of their day to wrap their cold hands around a warm cup filled to the brim with goodness because a higher power brews it. Trust me, I would know.

3. Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Every single person, in my opinion, needs an ugly Christmas sweater! In fact, I have two and I even own the one pictured above because it is just plain awesome. I found it on Amazon.com and I love it. There is even tinsel in the sweater and it also happens to be super comfortable and warm. It doesn't get better than that and everyone needs an ugly Christmas sweater for the office Christmas party.

4. Favorite Holiday Films

Christmas simply isn't complete without watching a Christmas movie and the best part is that there are so many new and fun classics to choose from.

5. Really soft and/or fuzzy blankets

Blankets are the next essential because, let's be honest, there is nothing better then a soft and cozy blanket when it's cold and snowing outside in some parts of the world.

6. Christmas Music

Christmas isn't Christmas without the countless amounts of Christmas songs that are sung from November to January. So whether you choose to listen to classics like Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathias or something a little for modern like Idina Menzel, I encourage you to turn it up and rock around the Christmas tree.

7. Favorite holiday treats

To quote Buddy the elf, “WE ELVES TRY TO STICK TO THE FOUR MAIN FOOD GROUPS: CANDY, CANDY CANES, CANDY CORNS AND SYRUP.”

8. Drive around and look at Christmas light displays

One of my mom's absolute favorite things about Christmas are the many light displays found around town. My family loves to drive around and look at all of the fun and creative things that people do with the outside of their homes for Christmas.

9. Write a Christmas List

"You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout, I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town. He's making a list, he's checking it twice. He's gonna find out who's naughty or nice. Santa Claus is coming to town."

- "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"

10. Read a Christmas Classic

Due to the fact that I am an avid reader and I am currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in English, I cannot let my holidays pass by without reading a Christmas classic. Reading a Christmas classic is a fun activity for anyone to take part in even if you are not an avid reader. So, this holiday season I challenge everyone to pick up their favorite story and share it with their loved ones. Some of my personal favorites include A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement C. Moore and Luke Chapter 2 from the Bible.

Marry Christmas and Happy Holidays!