a few of my favorite things

The holiday season is magical, with special bashes, velvet dresses, endless bubbly, endearing embraces and love that you can feel all around and within you. Although it may be stressful when trying to figure out what to get your Dad or which party to skip, it really is *the* precious season.

Here are my favorite things that always make the season shine bright, even after Mariah Carey has finished belting out "All I Want For Christmas Is You", the Facebook engagement photos have been deleted and you're halfway through forgetting those dumb New Year Resolutions.

A Little Party Never Killed Nobody 
At the time, holiday bashes can be annoying with thoughts like "What am I going to wear?", "Do I have to go?" and "What should I bring?" but they make the season so fun. I went to a few gatherings where I only knew the hostess, and it was a ball. Get out there, spread some cheer and deck the damn halls. 

Online Shopping Is Your Friend
Walking the Christmas Market with your honey and a hot apple cider are what holiday dreams are made of. But when it comes to bringing Christmas gifts home, it is what holiday nightmares are made of. I do not have room in my luggage for gifts, so this year I bought everything online and shipped it to my parents. 

Tradition Making 
You do not need a family to build your own traditions. That's a pretty empowering thought as a young woman without children. I have learned that I love baking bread pudding and it has become a Christmas tradition that I have now shared with my Mom. 

Holiday Style
This is the only time of year you can wear a pair of reindeer antlers with glitter and a bold red lip. Do it and emancipate Mimi. 

Gift Giving
This is an obvious given, but each year I enjoy finding the perfect gift for the perfect people in my life. We work all year long, and for a few days a year, we get to receive and celebrate. That's really the best gift under the tree.