Christmas trees, menorahs, homemade cookies, mistletoe, presents ... oh the holiday season, how I love thee?
I love thee enough to leave Happy Valley and all my friends for three and a half weeks. I love thee enough to leave the belligerent drunken nights, laughable one-night-stands and delicious late-night Canyon runs for all 25 days.
What are a few weeks away from Beaver Avenue to be with your beloved friends and family going to hurt? The holidays are great! And here are some reasons why we all love this time of year.
1. Presents for everyone!
No, I don't mean receiving presents, but giving. Isn't that part of the holiday spirit? Give, give, give! Mom, Dad, my brother and my never-talk-to-except-for-two-minutes-on-Christmas-morning-Aunt-Sue, and the list goes on until your bank account is at least negative $300.
We just can't forget to be generous this time of year, especially after we got really cute presents last year. Remember the bulky sweater with snowflakes and Christmas trees on it?
2. Family gatherings!
Forget about that hot guy your friend wants you to go out with Thursday night, it's the famous let's-drink-and-eat-a lot-so-we-can-start-telling-our-childhood-stories family reunion!
How much fun, with grandma still pinching your cheek or butt (depending on how many glasses of wine she's had) and saying how grown up you are. And let's not forget the cute little cousins running around and begging you to play hide-and-seek with them. Hiding in a bathtub is fun -- I mean what else could you be doing on a Thursday night?
3. High School Reunion!
This is when we can finally see everyone we graduated with at the mall, grocery store, movies, bars, clubs and just about everywhere else because you really can't get enough of them for those three weeks.
It's so fun to see all those great faces again, like the guy you made out with freshman year when you were really cute with braces, or that creepy girl that always wanted to be part of your "clique" and knew everything about you and your friends.
4. Mall sales!
My personal favorite part of the holidays -- shopping! When else can you get buy-ten-get-one-free-sales? So you've been good all year, why not buy yourself some Christmas presents, like those knee-high stiletto crocodile boots you've been eyeing since fall/winter collection came out?
But wait, what about your random neighbor, high school teacher and family members that gave you gifts last year? You can't go one more year "forgetting" about their presents. Hmm, maybe those $8 pink slippers are looking hotter than the boots.
5. Christmas songs!
It's the time of year when one or two radio stations decide to play Christmas songs 24/7. Who wants to hear Usher's latest hit at this time? "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" is so cool, especially when they play it over and over again. It makes me realize this jam should definitely be playing at the hottest clubs.
This time of year also gives us a chance to appreciate the great former musicians that have made Christmas songs their musical comebacks: Clay Aiken, Hanson, Jessica Simpson.
6. Homemade food!
The kitchen is always full of mom's finest baking and the holiday treats that everyone else decides to donate. Forget about that six-pack you've been working on at the White Building; it's time to indulge in the holiday goodies: Fruitcakes, candy canes, cookies, eggnog and more.
Enjoy as much as you can, because come weeks before spring break when you're back in school, you'll have the memories of tasty desserts to remind you of why you don't fit into your spring wear.
7. Great weather!
Yes, we finally get a break from central Pennsylvanian weather. No more snow or freezing wind gusts, just warm, sunny, 70-degree weather. We'll be lying next to our pools, sipping on some Coronas while working on the tan we lost at school.
Oh wait, maybe not all of you are from Miami. Well, I guess have fun shoveling snow out of your driveway for Santa, while I decorate some palm trees for him in my backyard.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and Joyous Kwanzaa!
