tis the season!

Well sugarplums, the holidays are upon us. All of us are excited for the fat guy in the red suit to bring lots of goodies, because naturally, we have been very good this year and deserve that one month of unlimited Pure Barre classes. Tis the season to have some time away from the job and to spend how we choose, right? So what are we to do with your holiday-induced free time? One can only spend so much time opening presents and watching that It's A Wonderful Life marathon with the family.

Here are my suggestions for how to spend some of your holiday break, none of which require an ugly Christmas sweater...

1. Make Christmas cookies. They're easy to make with minimal clean-up and they really impress when edible. Oh, and you can decorate them with icing and sprinkles, if you're into dyes and processed sugars.

2. Watch Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and quote the film in its entirety. Don't be scared. Christmas is a time of perpetual joy - say that to those friends/lame family members that accost you for perfectly reciting your favorite Kevin McCallister lines. "Suck brick, kid!"

3. Go shopping. Whether it's fighting the dementors to get that last minute gift for so and so or taking back that awful pajama set in an attempt to exchange for something you actually like, get out there. It's the only American way to be one with the yuletide.

4. Listen to your favorite (non-Christmas) vinyls at a high volume while singing along to every word. Trust me, this is just as awesome as it sounds. Christmas came early for me when I got both Jenny Lewis and The Civil Wars to add to my growing vinyl collection, so yes, I am full of joy and good cheer.

5. Eat ice cream for dinner. You know you are in the prime of life when you do this.

6. READ. You know, something other than a boring work email or the nutrition facts on your microwavable lunch. Pick up that book that you've been too busy with life and other drugs to read and get started. Holiday break is the perfect time to read something funny, i.e. Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? since you will undoubtedly need a little pick-me-up after hours of quality family time and seeing pretty much everyone you went to high school with at the local Wal-Mart. Christmakkuh is also the best time to read something a little more heavy, cue Joe by Larry Brown, which is what I will be reading. If it all gets a little too messy in your head you can always turn on that cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie and take those engines back to neutral.

7. Do something completely selfless for someone you've never met. You know, pay it forward. Need ideas? Buy a Contributor from one of the vendors around Nashville and buy one for five of your closest friends, too. Take cookies, see also #3, to that neighbor you have never actually met. Surprise the person in line behind you at whatever coffee shop and buy their latte for them. If you can't be nice at Christmas, you don't have a soul.

8. Spend an entire 24 hours doing things that YOU want to do. Want to stay in your pajamas all day and watch 3o Rock reruns while eating sugar cookies in the shape of snowmen? Do it. Merry Christmas.

9. Spend time with the people you love. Make plans, move plans around - do whatever you need to do to spend quality time with the people you care about. And as for that certain someone who gives you butterflies and sets your hair on fire? Be sure to tell them how much they mean to you. Don't be shy. Blame it on Christmas.

10. Take a nap.

xoxo.