10. Decorating

Time for bright lights and crazy decorations! Inside or outside the house, why not join in the decorating festivities? The cozy atmosphere you’ll create will keep you psyched for the entire season, not to mention all the fun you’ll have putting the decorations up!

9. Gift Exchanges

Secret Santa, Magical Menorah, there must be a million different names for the holiday gift exchange. Planning on organizing one with your friends this year? It’s a good idea to start planning early so people will have time to go looking for presents. It’s a great way to share in the fun with your friends, and there’s nothing like the surprise and excitement you’ll feel as everyone passes around their gifts.

8. Holiday Parties

You’ve finally got the perfect excuse to throw a party, so round up your friends and make this holiday season special, or head over to a friend’s house for a holiday get-together! It’s time to make this year memorable, so forget about the Florida weather; instead, sit around the fireplace with your best buds, roast marshmallows, and drink hot cocoa anyway.

7. Envision Snow

After checking Weatherbug for the hundredth time, you’ve probably reached the conclusion that, “no, it’s not going to snow this year… Again…” But that’s okay! You can still pretend it’s snowing, or even make festive snow cones. Even better, make snow cones and then use them as snowballs! No-snow ball fight 2011 is just begging to be organized, hint hint!

6. Shopping for Presents

Some love it, some hate it, but nearly everyone this season will go out shopping for the perfect gift for the important people in their lives. Make it more fun by going with a friend – while you share hilarious stories about holidays past, the gift-searching will fly by in no time.

5. Holiday Treats

It doesn’t matter if you’re a master chef in-the-making or a Pillsbury Slice-and-Bake connoisseur. Going all-in on holiday celebration can be a reality for everyone, so why not start with some tasty holiday snacks? Ask around and you’re almost sure to find a family recipe that needs some dusting off. Or, take the opportunity to help your grandma make her famous holiday cookies, and you’ll have new holiday memories galore.

4. Music

Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit like the festive music you’re used to hearing each winter. Nat King Cole, Brenda Lee, Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé; whatever you’re musical taste, now’s the perfect time to go and make a playlist of your favorite songs!

3. Holiday Movies

Sometimes, there’s nothing better than curling up on the couch and watching a movie. Even better than that? Curling up on the couch with a mug full of cocoa and watching Will Ferrel in Elf for the third time in a month. And let’s not forget the classics—Frosty the Snowman, anyone?

2. No School

Definitely one of the best things about holidays! Extra time to be spent with friends and family is always a plus. And, no more stressing about exams. Cheers to that!

1. Spending Time with Friends and Family

The holiday season is the ultimate time to spend with loved ones. Whether it’s the aunt that you only see once or twice a year, or the brothers and sisters that you see every day, it’s the perfect time to show that you care about them. This holiday season, make an effort to get to know someone special to you. After all, loved ones are what the holidays are all about.