Holiday Movie Marathon

Now that finals are over, you probably have a lot of time on your hands. There's no better way to kick off winter break than with a holiday movie marathon! Here are some of my top picks:

White Christmas

Classics 

• White Christmas 
• It's a Wonderful Life
• Miracle on 34th Street
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town
• Frosty the Snowman
• The Year Without a Santa Claus

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

New Favorites

• Home Alone
• Elf
• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
• The Santa Claus
• The Nightmare Before Christmas
• This Christmas
• Love Actually

What are your favorite Holiday movies?

Reunited: Things To Do with Your Friends Back Home

Reunited and it feels so good! Finals are over, and everyone is back home for break. With not an ounce of homework in sight, there’s nothing standing between you and your high school friends from catching up. Some of your friends may have gone to the same college as you, but most likely you all went separate ways after graduation. Winter break is the perfect time to get together to reminisce about the old times and to make new memories. Here are some suggestions to keep you laughing together all break long.

 

Every December, my high school friends and I get together to have a secret Sana gift exchange. Everyone dons their best ugly Christmas sweater and brings holiday treats to share. We do gifts differently every year. One year we are randomly assigned another girl in the group so we knew who we were buying for. Another year we just brought a present then played a game to see what order we picked gifts in. This is always my favorite way to play. You can each pick a gift in a random order, but everything gets more exciting when you can “steal” presents from someone who already opened theirs. Another way to play is musical presents, where gifts get passed around the circle until the music stops. No matter what way you play, it’s usually best to put a spending limit on gifts. We’re college students, not millionaires. By limiting everyone to the same budget it equalizes the playing field and forces people to get creative.

If presents aren’t your thing, have a baking party! Everybody knows calories don’t count over break. So pull out grandma’s recipe and turn on the oven. You’ll get some quality time to catch up on gossip while you’re baking. Who’s got a hot new boyfriend?  Who’s got the crazy roommate? Which girls from your high school are pregnant or married already? If you’re old enough, add some wine into the mix! By the time you’re done chit chatting, your desserts should be ready.

Nothing compares to shopping with your girls. No dressing room mirror is as honest or as helpful as your best friends. There’s so many shopping opportunities over break. Braving the mall crowds for pre-holiday shopping is 10 times easier with your friends. Post-holiday, you can all get together to return that well-intended, but not so chic sweater from your aunt or you can spend; all those gift cards that are burning a hole in your wallet. Don’t forget to stop for lunch or coffee at your favorite little café.

Get outside with your girls! Go ice skating or sledding, just like when you were little kids. You’ll laugh more than you have in weeks and you’ll get some cute photos to add to your Instagram. If you live near the mountains, hike the slopes for a ski or snowboard weekend. If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere warm, go to the beach or for a hike. There’s no better way to work off that extra cookie weight than with an adventure with your best friends.

Big Appreciation Week Ideas

There’s no relationship quite like the big/little relationship. She’s your mentor, your best friend, you role model, your partner in crime. She was showering you with gifts before you even knew her name. Now it’s your turn to pay her back for everything she’s done…it’s Big Appreciation Week! If you’re at a loss for what to your amazing big, here are some suggestions:

Picture Frame - I’m sure you and your big have tons of adorable photos together. What better way to say “you’re beautiful and I love you” than with a frame for her to look at every day. Bonus points to you if you craft the frame so it’s more personalized. If crafting isn’t your specialty, hit up your local TJ Maxx or Target to look for a cute photo frame.

Crafts - Speaking of crafting, why not make some crafts! I’m sure your big made you a slew of cute crafts for big reveal. Now it’s your turn to return the favor. Whether it be a paddle, monogrammed wine glasses, or a pin box, I’m sure she’ll love whatever you make. Every craft is beautiful if it comes from the heart.

Date Night - Take your favorite lady out for a big/little date night. Grab a bite to eat at your favorite café and then catch the latest RomCom that your boyfriend refuses to see. Don’t forget a trip to the nearest ice cream parlor at the end so you two can catch up on gossip over a cone of rocky road.

Matching Shirts - There are so many cute big/little shirts out there. You can find the style that fits your relationship perfectly. Preppy? Get matching frockets with your monograms embroidered on the pockets. Too cool for school? Get the all too hip Biggie Smalls shirts. The possibilities are endless!

When in doubt, just buy candy! Every girl loves candy. With gifts like these, it will be like big reveal week all over again, but this time you get the be the gift-giver!

What have you done for Big Appreciation Week? We’d love to hear it in the comments.

10 DIY Halloween Costumes

As you know Halloween is coming up soon! If you have not already decided what you are going to dress up as you have come to the right place! Today we are sharing our top ten favorite DIY Halloween costumes.

10. Black Cat 

Black tights, a black t-shirt, and cat ears are all you need to be a mysterious cat for the night. Use eye liner to add wiskers to complete your outfit!

9. Hot Sauce

Whether you're feeling mild, hot, or on fire, you can't go wrong with Taco Bell sauce! Just alter a big t-shirt and write a catchy phrase on it and you are good to go. 

8. Marry Poppins

You can be everyone's favorite character with items that are already in your closet! Just wear a white button up with a shirt and add a cute little bow tie to finish your look. Carry around an umbrella so everyone know who you are! 

7. Mini Mouse

You can't go wrong with being the ever so classic Mini Mouse. Wear a red skirt with a black blouse and black Disney ears for your outfit and use eye liner to add a black nose to you face and you are all set. 

6. Deer  

If you wear a completely brown outfit and add some "deery" makeup, you will be fighting off the hunters all night long. 

5. A Pineapple

This summer was all about pineapples and citrus fruits! Relive those times with a simple yellow dress and a stem made from green paper!

4. 50 Shades of Gray

Pay tribute to your favorite book without breaking the bank. Collect paint samples in all shades of gray and attach them to a gray outfit for this fun costume!

3. Social Media

If you want to be tech savvy this Halloween then just be technology itself. Gather a group of friends and make t-shirts representing all of your favorite social medias.

2. Scarecrow

Take a cute spin on a traditional fall item. Pair your favorite plaid shirt with some skinny jeans and boots and add a few sunflowers to complete your outfit. Finish the costume off with cute scare crow makeup.

1. Starbucks

It has been said that the best crafts are made when you have coffee (Starbucks to be exact) but what if you are actually crafting Starbucks? A simple brown dress and white feather boa make this outfit simple and awesome!