I might live in Southern California, where December is serving moreĀ ācute cardigan vibesāĀ thanĀ āHallmark snowstorm,ābut the Christmas spirit?
Oh, sheās alive. Sheās thriving. Sheās doing jazz hands in a sparkly Santa hat.
So hereās something quick, festive, and veryĀ meābecause Christmas is basically my Super Bowl⦠if the Super Bowl involved twinkle lights, reindeer-shaped cookies, and me getting misty-eyed while wrapping presents. Every year, the holiday season pulls me in like a peppermint-scented tractor beam, and honestly? Iām not mad about it.
Here are my absolute FAVORITE things about Christmasāthe things that make my heart grow three sizes (Grinch who?) and my hot-cocoa consumption triple instantly.
1. Hallmark Christmas Movies
You know those movies where a girl returns to her tiny hometown, meets an unrealistically handsome baker, and BOOMālove, snow, and a Christmas tree farm?
Yeah. I eat that UP.
Predictable? Yes.
Necessary for my soul? Also yes.
2. Time With Loved Ones
Something about December makes everyone glow like theyāre in a Target holiday commercial.
Hugs? Softer.
Laughs? Louder.
Arguments over board games? Festive, even when someone āaccidentallyā flips the table.
3. Christmas Lights Everywhere
Palm trees wrapped in lights? Yes.
Neighborhoods trying to outshine the North Pole? Absolutely.
Me taking 500 photos of the same string of twinkle lights because theyāre āmagicalā?
ā¦Correct.
Favorite spots?Ā Absolutely:
- Christmas Tree LaneĀ ā peak nostalgia, peak sparkle, peak āIām about to cry because this is so pretty.ā
- Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade & Ring of LightsĀ ā floating Christmas magic??? Boats dressed like gifts??? Yes. Inject that into my veins.
4. Christmassy Smells
Cinnamon. Pine. Gingerbread. Vanilla.
If it can be baked, sipped, or turned into a candleā¦
I want it. I want ALL of it.
My house becomes a cozy-scented wonderland and honestly itās my personality for the entire month.
5. Festive Baking & Cooking
I turn into a holiday baking elf.
Cookies? Yes.
Fudge? Obviously.
Accidentally eating half the dough before it hits the oven? Tradition.
And ever since last year I will be adding a Yule log to my Christmas baking list.
6. The Magic of Santa Claus
I donāt care how old I amāSanta is āØa vibeāØ.
The magic, the mystery, the cookies left out āfor himā (but actually for me later at 1 a.m.)ā¦
Itās pure childhood joy wrapped in a bow. And I wonāt spoil the spirit of Santa for any child.
7. Christmas Music
From āSilent Nightā to Mariahās annual holiday takeover, Christmas music is the soundtrack to every cookie-decorating, gift-wrapping, tree-lighting moment. And letās not forgetĀ āMary, Did You Know?ā by The Braxtonsāone of my all-time favorite religious Christmas songs. It hits every single time.
Yes, I sing along.
Yes, itās off-key.
Yes, itās still fabulous. š¶āØ
8. Holiday Crafts
Give me glue, glitter, ribbon, and a vision.
I will turn absolutely anything into Christmas dƩcor.
Is it messy?
Yes.
Do I look like a glitter-covered gremlin afterward?
Also yes.
Do I love it?
ABSOLUTELY.
9. Advent Calendars
Tiny surprises every day??
Elite behavior.
Chocolate ones, skincare ones, little toy ones ā I am fully capable of juggling twelve different advent calendars like an unhinged but festive queen.
Peak joy.
10. Reflecting on the Past Year
Christmas has this soft, quiet magic where everything slows down.
I think about the highs, the lows, the growth, the unexpected plot twists.
Itās peaceful.
Itās grounding.
Itās like my heart takes a deep breath.
Bonus: People Are (Mostly) in a Better Mood
Thereās just something about the season that puts a little sparkle in peopleās step.
Are there still cranky Grinches out there?
Of course.
But MOST people?
They get wrapped up in the magicāand itās contagious.
Christmas in Southern California may not come with snowflakes or sleigh ridesā¦
but itās still pure magic.
Itās cozy + sparkly + nostalgic + chaotic in the cutest possible way.
Itās sunshine mixed with twinkle lights.
Itās Hallmark movies with the AC on.
Itās warmth ā inside and out.
And honestly?
I wouldnāt change a single thing.