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.