Happy Holidays!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I just love the holidays, AKA an excuse to be around my wild, crazy, amazing family more often than usual. If you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat (of course you do), you’ve seen us in action. We play cards, drinking games, and laugh ’til we’re crying. I just love them! 

Before the fun can begin, though, I have to make sure I’ve covered my bases with gifts for the fam (yes, the entire fam.) Everyone has their own unique style, so Christmas shopping is an event all on its own. But even with lots of time and money being spent finding that perfect something for everyone I love, I still have my favorite, true blue traditions that don’t involve presents, but rather good ol’ holiday fun. To me, that’s really what the holidays are about—spending time with those you love, making new traditions, and being full of holiday cheer while praying for a snow day or three. 😉

Outfit Details: Top: F21 (old) | Skirt: Charleston Boutique | Shoes: Zara | Fur Stole: Top Shop | Purse: Target 

Even though I’m spending my first Christmas in my new home in Charlotte, I’m determined to keep my old faithfuls going. Here are a few of my favorite holiday traditions:

Christmas Breakfast: This is something my dad’s side of the family has been doing for years. We all get up super early and head to my great grandma’s house to exchange gifts, eat, and enjoy each other before going our separate ways with our families. It’s honestly the best memory I have, and looking back at old pictures, it’s cool to see how our family has grown year after year. Since my great grandma’s passing, we’ve moved to my granny’s house, but I’m so happy we didn’t end this tradition. Lots of families focus on dinner, but Christmas breakfast is where it’s at! Add mimosas and turn it into a Christmas brunch if you’re feeling extra festive.

Girls’ Night: Calling all my single ladies! You know just as well as I do that it can get kind of lonely during a bae-less holiday season. Everyone’s posting their couple’s holiday photos, engagement announcements, pregnancy shoots, all things boo-loving. Since I’m still on the market, I use this season not to be bitter, but to appreciate the holidays I get to spend with my soulmates—my girlfriends. 

Get dressed up in your holiday PJ’s, sip wine or spiked eggnog, play Christmas music, and just let loose! Celebrate how wonderful it is to have girlfriends who make life so much fun. If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know I’m always down for a good Girls’ Night. Take things up a notch with Secret Santa gift exchange or have a Girls’ Day with manis and pedis.

Gift-wrapping Party: Have your family (extended or immediate) come over for a gift-wrapping party! Wrap all your gifts, bake cookies, and of course throw on the Christmas tunes. This year, I’m planning to have my gift-wrapping party with just me and my mom(she doesn’t know this yet, LOL). 

Holiday Drop-In: Do you love hosting parties as much as I do? The drop-in is a perfect idea for you. Decorate your place and make it Instagramable (yes, that’s a word). Then have all your friends to come over for dance offs, games, specialty cocktails (I always have at least 2 unique ones with cute names) and Christmas music, of course. I like to have one towards the end of the holiday season as one last chance to get everyone together before the magic is over and it’s back to business as usual.

Ice Skating: Everyone’s city has a ice skating rink during the holiday season, right? I love to get my cousins together for a yearly skate date around the holidays. It takes some coordinating, but when everyone’s on board it’s the best time! Everyone falls, your stomach will hurt from laughing so hard, and you’ll just have a good ass time! 

Photography: Brandon Grate | Makeup: Voga Beauty

These are my old faithful holiday traditions, but I’m excited to add some new ones to start now that I’m in my new home. Do you have any I should add to my list? Drop a comment below with your old faithfuls, and if you give any of mine a try this year, don’t forget to tag me! 

Xoxo. 

Melissa Chanel