Countdown to Christmas - 2024 Edition

Besides Halloween, I will admit my excitement for Christmas time has returned. Things just seem to be more magical in the month of December. Luckily enough last December, while hard, I was smiling and happy and I think it is because of this checklist as well as keeping myself surrounded with love and light as much as possible. Definitely glad I changed the pattern of unhappy holiday seasons. Christmas without my parents is still an adjustment period. While it is getting easier, having some traditions are keeping my spirit and light up. I will make it through the best way I can. Most of the things will be done either by myself, with David, or with friends and family. Also, just because there is a date attached does not mean it will happen on that date -- it is more of a checklist.


November 28th: Get holiday cards and start writing them out
November 29th: Order 2025 calendars on Amazon Done!
November 30th: Watch Falling for Christmas Done!
December 1st: Start advent calendars Done! Doing a Universal Yums advent calendar, an couples advent calendar with David, and a book advent calendar from The Book Grocer
December 2nd: Mail out holiday cards. Done!
December 3rd: Watch Violent Night
December 4th: Watch Scrooged
December 5th: Watch A Hollywood Christmas on HBO Max Done!
December 6th: Watch Anna and the Apocalypse
December 7th: Get a holiday inspired candle from a small business
December 8th: Watch Jingle All the WayDone!
December 9th: Watch Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square
December 10th: Wear Christmas inspired sweater
December 11th: Add to my holiday playlist on Spotify and share it with all my friends on social media for them to enjoy listening to Done!
December 12th: Watch Holidate on Netflix
December 13th: Watch Home Alone
December 14th: Go to Miracle on Mercer Brunch with DavidDone! It was fun.
December 15th: Watch Our Little Secret
December 16th: Start binging the Netflix seres Dash and Lily.Done! For next year remember that the first episode is set on December 17th.
December 17th: Get holiday inspired manicure Done at Sophie's Nail Studio.
December 18th: Wear reindeer ears headbeadDone!
December 19th: Watch A Christmas Story/A Christmas Story 2
December 20th: Watch Gremlins.
December 21st: Read the book Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares to my class
December 22nd: Watch 8-Bit Christmas
December 23rd: Watch Love, Actually
December 24th: Watch Die Hard/Christmas Dinner with David's family
December 25th: CHRISTMAS!!! Watch all of the Gilmore Girls Christmas episodes and spend time with my loved ones.

Countdown to Halloween -- 2024 Edition

My favorite holiday, besides my birthday, is Halloween. I am drawn to all things Halloween/Autumn -- vampires, zombies, werewolves, cheesy 80s horror movies, dressing up, anything pumpkin flavored or scented, sweater weather... Just love it! With that said I thought it would be cool to do a COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN activities list. Most of this stuff will be done by myself or with friends and family. I will admit that due to the pandemic, which at the time of this writing and publication is officially over as far as I am concerned, and the deaths of my parents -- I have lost my gumption and my spark of things that I used to love. However it is getting easier every day and I am still working hard to bring that spark back; to make myself feel good again; and to reculivate my happiness. Therefore this list, instead of being with dates, I will put 31 things to go to celebrate and countdown to Halloween. Here we go!

1. Purchase Halloween cards.
2. Watch The Raven
3. Give yourself a spooky manicure
4. Watch A Nightmare on Elm Street
5. Play Glow-In-The-Dark Mini Golf
6. Visit a haunted house
7. Try some cool face paint that could be your entire costume.
8. Share Halloween puns
9. Send Halloween cards out
10. Watch Get Out
11. Play Halloween Bingo
12. Go on a scary hayride
13. Go on a legal tour of a haunted place or a ghost walk
14. Bake googly eye cookies
15. Watch Happy Death Day and Happy Death Day 2U
16. Make a Halloween playlist on Spotify and share said list
17. Bake pumpkin sweet potato cake
18. Take pictures of the changing leaves
19. Read a story in The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King
20. Read a tale in Toil and Trouble
21. Drink cider
22. Get candles with a cinnamon or pumpkin smell from Bath and Body Works for my room.
23. Make my own Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte at home
24. Bake something pumpkin inspired
26. Get myself a Halloween inspired flower bouquet.
27. Burn A Habit – Write down a habit I am attempting to kick (and would like to have broken by next Halloween) and either burn it in a cauldron or in a bonfire.
28. Dance the Monster Mash either by myself or with loved ones.
29. Visit the Addams Family Mansion in Westfield, NJ (corner of Elm Street and Dudley Avenue)
30. Wear bone headclip
31. HALLOWEEN!! Go see The Lost Boys in 35MM at Union County Performing Arts Center. Put out treats for trick and treaters.

Countdown to Christmas 2023 Edition

Besides Halloween, I will admit I still get excited for Christmas time. Things just seem to be more magical in the month of December. Luckily enough last December, while hard, I was smiling and happy and I think it is because of this checklist as well as keeping myself surrounded with love and light as much as possible. Definitely glad I changed the pattern of unhappy holiday seasons.Christmas without my parents is still an adjustment period. While it is getting easier, having some traditions are keeping my spirit and light up. I will make it through the best way I can. Most of the things will be done either by myself, with a date, or with friends and family. Also, just because there is a date attached does not mean it will happen on that date -- it is more of a checklist.


November 24th: Get holiday cards Done!
November 25th: Start writing out holiday cardsDone!
November 26th: Watch The Noel Diary on Netflix Done!
November 27th: Watch Falling for Christmas
November 28th: Watch Pee Wee's Big Holiday Done!
November 29th: Order 2024 calendars on Amazon as well as get 2024 weekly planner from Erin Condren. Done
November 30th: Watch Spirited
December 1st: Start advent calendarDone!
December 2nd: Mail out holiday cards.Done!
December 3rd: Watch Violent Night
December 4th: Watch Scrooged
December 5th: Watch A Hollywood Christmas on HBO Max/Go to Postmodern Jukebox concert in Morristown, NJDone!
December 6th: Watch The Santa Clause/Go to Sustainable Green Holiday Drinks at Emma'sDone!
December 7th: Get a holiday inspired candle from a small business I made one!
December 8th: Go to Lewis Black in Montclair, NJ.Done!
December 9th: Watch Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square
December 10th: Wear Christmas inspired sweaterDone!
December 11th: Add to my holiday playlist on Spotify and share it with all my friends on social media for them to enjoy listening to Done!
December 12th: Watch Holidate on Netflix
December 13th: Watch Home Alone
December 14th: Watch The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix
December 15th: Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas
December 16th: Start binging the Netflix seres Dash and Lily.Done!
December 17th: Get holiday inspired manicure at CuteiclesDone!
December 18th: Wear rhinestone reindeer antlersDone!
December 19th: Watch A Christmas Story/A Christmas Story 2
December 20th: Watch Gremlins.
December 21st: Read the book Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares to my class
December 22nd: Watch 8-Bit Christmas
December 23rd: Watch Love, Actually
December 24th: Watch Die Hard Done!/Christmas Dinner with David's familyDone!
December 25th: CHRISTMAS!!! Watch all of the Gilmore Girls Christmas episodes and spend time with my loved ones.

Countdown to Halloween -- 2023 Edition

My favorite holiday, besides my birthday, is Halloween. I am drawn to all things Halloween/Autumn -- vampires, zombies, werewolves, cheesy 80s horror movies, dressing up, anything pumpkin flavored or scented, sweater weather... Just love it! With that said I thought it would be cool to do a COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN activities list. Most of this stuff will be done by myself or with friends and family. I will admit that due to the pandemic, which at the time of this writing and publication is officially over as far as I am concerned, and the deaths of my parents -- I have lost my gumption and my spark of things that I used to love. However it is getting easier every day and I am still working hard to bring that spark back; to make myself feel good again; and to reculivate my happiness. Therefore this list, instead of being with dates, I will put 31 things to go to celebrate and countdown to Halloween. Here we go!

1. Purchase Halloween cards. Done!
2. Carve a pumpkin
3. Give yourself a spooky manicure Done!
4. Fill clear plastic skulls with treats
5. Play Glow-In-The-Dark Mini Golf
6. Visit a haunted house
7. Try some cool face paint that could be your entire costume. Done! /br> 8. Share Halloween puns
9. Send Halloween cards out Done!
10.Watch the Japanese version of The Grudge
11. Play Halloween Bingo
12. Go on a scary hayride
13. Go on a legal tour of a haunted place or a ghost walk
14. Bake googly eye cookies
15. Watch Malignant Done! 16. Make a Halloween playlist on Spotify and share said list Done!
17. Bake pumpkin dark chocolate brownies
18. Take pictures of the changing leaves Done
19. Read a story in The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King
20. Read 2 tales in Toil and Trouble
21. Drink cider Done!
22. Get candles with a cinnamon or pumpkin smell from Bath and Body Works for my room. Done!
23. Make my own Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte at home Done!
24. Bake something pumpkin inspired 25. HAPPY BIRTHDAT VERONICA!!!
26. Get myself a Halloween inspired flower bouquet. Done!
27. Burn A Habit – Write down a habit I am attempting to kick (and would like to have broken by next Halloween) and either burn it in a cauldron or in a bonfire.
28. Dance the Monster Mash either by myself or with loved ones.
29. Visit the Addams Family Mansion in Westfield, NJ (corner of Elm Street and Dudley Avenue)
30. Wear bone headclip
31. HALLOWEEN!! Watch Halloween and Halloween Ends. Put out treats for trick and treaters.

Countdown to Christmas -- 2022 Edition

Besides Halloween, I will admit I still get excited for Christmas time. Things just seem to be more magical in the month of December. Luckily enough last December, while hard, I was smiling and happy and I think it is because of this checklist as well as keeping myself surrounded with love and light as much as possible. Definitely glad I changed the pattern of unhappy holiday seasons.Christmas without my parents is still an adjustment period. While it is getting easier, having some traditions are keeping my spirit and light up. I will make it through the best way I can. Most of the things will be done either by myself, with a date, or with friends and family. Also, just because there is a date attached does not mean it will happen on that date -- it is more of a checklist.


November 25th: Get holiday cards Done!
November 26th: Start writing out holiday cards Done!
November 27th: Watch The Noel Diary on Netflix Done!
November 28th: Watch Die Hard Done!
November 29th: Watch Pee Wee's Big Holiday Done!
November 30th: Order 2023 calendars on Amazon. Done!
December 1st: Start advent calendars
December 2nd: Mail out holiday cards. Done!
December 3rd: Watch Violent Night in theaters Done! It was so good!
December 4th: Watch Scrooged
December 5th: Read one story in the collection My True Love Gave To Me December 6th: Watch The Santa Clause Done!
December 7th: Wear mistletoe headband to work Done!
December 8th: Get a holiday inspired candle from Bath and Body Works. Done via my Secret Santa!
December 9th: Watch Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square Done!
December 10th: Go to the Magic Lights Show at PNC Holmdel Center Done! It was a fun time!
December 11th: Add to my holiday playlist on Spotify and share it with all my friends on social media for them to enjoy listening to Done!
December 12th: Watch Holidate on Netflix Done!
December 13th: Watch Home Alone Done!
December 14th: Watch The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix
December 15th: Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas
December 16th: Start binging the Netflix seres Dash and Lily. Only watch certain episodes on the day it is titled. Done!
December 17th: Get holiday inspired manicure at Cuteicles Done!
December 18th: Wear rhinestone reindeer antlers
December 19th: Watch A Christmas Story/A Christmas Story 2 on HBO Max
December 20th: Watch Gremlins.
December 21st: Read the book Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares to my class
December 22nd: Play Save Santa Escape Room game with my class Did not do as it was too complicated.
December 23rd: Watch Love, Actually
December 24th: Get the Uncommon Goods A Question A Day for Self-Care Journal December 25th: CHRISTMAS!!! Watch all of the Gilmore Girls Christmas episodes and spend time with my loved ones.

Countdown to Halloween -- 2022 Edition

My favorite holiday, besides my birthday, is Halloween. I am drawn to all things Halloween/Autumn -- vampires, zombies, werewolves, cheesy 80s horror movies, dressing up, anything pumpkin flavored or scented, sweater weather... Just love it! With that said I thought it would be cool to do a COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN activities list. Most of this stuff will be done by myself or with friends and family. I will admit that due to the pandemic, which at the time of this writing and publication is officially over as far as I am concerned, and the deaths of my parents -- I have lost my gumption and my spark of things that I used to love. However it is getting easier every day and I am still working hard to bring that spark back; to make myself feel good again; and to reculivate my happiness. Therefore this list, instead of being with dates, I will put 31 things to go to celebrate and countdown to Halloween. Here we go!

1. Create Halloween Card Exchange on The Salon and purchase Halloween cards Done!
2. Carve a pumpkin
3. Give yourself a spooky manicure Done!
4. Fill clear plastic skulls with treats
5. Play Glow-In-The-Dark Mini GolfDone! Thanks Doug!
6. Visit a haunted house
7. Try some cool face paint that could be your entire costume Painted my brothers face as Ace Frehley
8. Share Halloween puns Done!
9. Send Halloween cards out Done!
10.Go to the Skyland Stadium Jack O'Lantern Experience Done!
11. Play Halloween Bingo
12. Go on a scary hayride
13. Go on a legal tour of a haunted place or a ghost walk
14. Bake googly eye cookies
15. Make a Halloween gingerbread house Done!
16. Make a Halloween playlist on Spotify and share said list Done!
17. Bake pumpkin dark chocolate brownies
18. Take pictures of the changing leaves
19. Read a story in The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King
20. Read 2 tales in Toil and Trouble
21. Drink cider Done!
22. Get candles with a cinnamon or pumpkin smell from Bath and Body Works for my room. Done!
23. Make my own Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte at home
24. Bake something pumpkin inspired Done! Made a pumpkin sage sauce for pasta.
25. HAPPY BIRTHDAT VERONICA!!! Done!
26. Get myself a Halloween inspired flower bouquet Done!
27. Burn A Habit – Write down a habit I am attempting to kick (and would like to have broken by next Halloweenn) and either burn it in a cauldron or in a bonfire.
28. Dance the Monster Mash either by myself or with loved ones.
29. Visit the Addams Family Mansion in Westfield, NJ (corner of Elm Street and Dudley Avenue)
30. Wear bone headclip Done!
31. HALLOWEEN!! Watch The Shining and Halloween Ends. Put out treats for trick and treaters.

Countdown to Christmas -- 2021 Edition

Besides Halloween, I will admit I still get excited for Christmas time. Things just seem to be more magical in the month of December. Luckily enough last December, while hard, I was smiling and happy and I think it is because of this checklist as well as keeping myself surrounded with love and light as much as possible. Definitely glad I changed the pattern of unhappy holiday seasons. This will be the second Christmas without my parents. While it is getting easier, having some traditions are keeping my spirit and light up. I will make it through the best way I can. Most of the things will be done either by myself or with friends and family. Also, just because there is a date attached does not mean it will happen on that date -- it is more of a checklist.


November 26th: Get holiday cards Done!
November 27th: Start writing out holiday cardsDone!
November 28th: Watch The Big Show Show Christmas Special/Aggretzuko We Wish You a Metal Christmas on Netflix Done!
November 29th: Watch Die Hard
November 30th: Watch The Family Stone Done!
December 1st: Order 2022 calendars on Amazon.Done! Also start advent calendars Done!
December 2nd: Watch The Nightmare Before ChristmasDone!
December 3rd: Mail out holiday cards.Done!
December 4th: Get a holiday inspired manicure. Make sure one nail is sparkly! Done!
December 5th: Watch Scrooged
December 6th: Read one story in the collection My True Love Gave To Me December 7th: Watch The Santa Clause Done!
December 8th: Wear mistletoe headband to work Done!
December 9th: Get a holiday inspired candle from Bath and Body Works.Done!
December 10th: Wear my funkiest pair of leg warmers (or treat myself to a new pair) December 11th: Watch Nailed It! Holiday Edition on Netflix Done!
December 12th: Make a holiday playlist on Spotify and share it with all my friends on social media for them to enjoy listening toDone!
December 13th: Watch Holidate on NetflixDone!
December 14th: Watch Home Alone
December 15th: Watch The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix
December 16th: Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas
December 17th: Start binging the Netflix seres Dash and Lily. Only watch certain episodes on the day it is titled.
December 18th: Leave a card/gift for my mail delivery person and/or garbage person who is working extra hard this time of year Done!
December 19th: Wear rhinestone reindeer antlersDone!
December 20th: Watch Rudolph the Red Nosed ReindeerDone!
December 21st: Watch Gremlins.Done!
December 22nd: Read the book Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares to my class Done!
December 23rd: Watch Love, Actually
December 24th: Read The Nutcracker by E.T.A HoffmannDone!
December 25th: CHRISTMAS!!! Watch all of the Gilmore Girls Christmas episodes and spend time with my loved ones.Done!