It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

It is true, Christmas is just around the corner! I love this time of year. I can't get enough of the lights, music, and fun events, and I have been taking advantage of as many of them as possible! Last week some friends and I went to the local Christmas parade! We strategically placed ourselves near lots of children so we would have a chance at grabbing some candy, but we ended up sharing all of our candy with the kids around us. We did run into Buddy the elf while we were there!A few days later I decided to host a lighting ceremony at my house! I am originally form Kansas City, and my family and friends look forward to the Plaza lighting ceremony every year. The lighting ceremony in Kansas City usually consists of thousands of people waiting outside in the dark with live entertainment. After a ten second countdown all of the lights come on and everyone cheers, then rushes to the warmest place they can find!
I thought it would be appropriate to create my very own lighting ceremony this year! With the help of my roommates and friends, we decorated my house with Christmas lights and prepared for the ceremony. About 20 of my friends showed up. Our live entertainment consisted of a few tambourines and recorders, followed by an impromptu ribbon dance. Then, Santa Clause came marching over the roof and began the ten second countdown!
My construction major friend had hooked a large plastic candy cane to the light switch to create a lever for turning on the lights! The lights came on, everyone cheered, and we all ran inside for hot chocolate, apple cider, and freshly baked cookies!
It turned out to be quite the event, and a total blast for everyone involved!
During the week, Pitt State hosted a gingerbread house competition. I did not enter the competition, but it did inspire some friends and I to build one of our own! On Friday, I was recruited for the construction of a gingerbread house. The task is a lot harder than it looks! We ended up making a huge mess of frosting and sprinkles, but it was delicious to break apart and eat after pictures!
After decorating the gingerbread house we set up my Christmas tree! Every year a group of my friends all get together for a gag gift exchange! I never fail to laugh at the gifts that come out of the exchange!
Even with the holiday season in full swing, all of my final projects have been assigned, and work is well underway to get them all done!