Festive Fun With Friends|Blogmas Day Nine

December 21, 2018Leave a comment

Today I’ve been hanging out with friends whom I haven’t seen in forever because we go to different schools, which made me think about a ton of fun holiday activities that would be perfect to do with friends! Some are artsy, some are adventurous, and some are chill, but regardless of what you’re doing with your besties, you’ll have a great time with them no matter what.

have a (holiday) photoshoot
go ice skating
have a hot cocoa and Barnes & Nobles date
have a (Hallmark) holiday movie marathon
go last-minute Christmas shopping together
have a holiday cabaret (like the BPP)
walk around downtown and see the festivities
take a drive to see some Christmas lights
take a trip to the city and do all the stereotypical holiday things
have a game night
make some music together (original, cover, harmonies, you name it)
write a blog post together (better yet, have your bff be your guest blogger for a day)
start a podcast which is just you and your gals ranting and eating donuts (like a mukbang, but in radio, nobody can see how you look #Lifehack)
have a fashion show
do a diy craft/baking/gift-wrapping night
make dream boards
look/fantasize about colleges on naviance
have a spa night
do a staged reading of a Bway show
have phony awards (like the Tony’s, but with less talent)

-Jill

Last-Minute Christmas Gifts|Blogmas Day Eight

December 20, 2018Leave a comment

As you may know from my post yesterday (no, not the TATBILB sequel one), I really dropped the ball on reciprocating gifts because I didn’t know we were doing gift exchanges. Love that for me. So, today I’ve realized I’m kinda in a bind for affordable and thoughtful Christmas gifts that’ll make it seem like I knew what I was getting certain people who didn’t think to tell me that they got me a gift. Still love ’em though. Luckily, I can base what I’m getting off of what they got me, and for the people who told me they got our friend group gifts but they didn’t bring them to school I can still have fun with shopping for them because I don’t have to measure up to anything. Here are some last-minute Christmas gift ideas for when you really dropped the ball on getting people something:

The One With All The Jewelry: a dainty and classic cursive initial ring that’s sure to become a jewelry-box staple.

The One With All The Pastries: the official Waitress pie cookbook written by Lulu’s very own Jenna Hunterson.

The One With All The Star Signs: a trendy watercolor zodiac mug that’ll never be empty.

The One With All The Vintage Vibes: a groovy ’60s-inspired caboodle is perfect to house your favorite MUA’s makeup for their Marcia Brady and Celia Foote makeup tutorials.

The One With All The Polaroids: a mini acrylic block frame to show off your Polaroid schquillz.

The One With All The Tangled Wires: a compact and classic earbud case is sure to make your favorite commuter’s journey a little more jammin’.

The One With All The Ticket Stubs: my friend got me this ticket stub book for my birthday last year and it’s one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten. I love being able to write down my thoughts on a show and store my ticket next to it.

The One With All The Airline Miles: a scratch-off world map to commemorate their travels.

The One With All The Plans: a cute agenda to sort out their busy life.

The One With All The Trendy Tunes And Succulents: a very Millennial speaker disguised as a succulent perfect for the fake plant mom with the boppiest bops in your life.

The One With All The Hallmark Movies: a cozy blanket wrapped around you while watching Hallmark movies can almost replicate a Kavinsky-esque hug.

The One With The Interior Design Degree: a strand of rose gold encapsulated crystals will elevate their living space from eh to yeah.

The One With A Lot To Say In Only 160 Characters: a felt letter board is perfect for the witty twitter user who wishes they could display their genius tweets.

The One Making The Big Bucks: a sophisticated and compact coin purse is a nice gift for that friend who has so much change it wears their wallet down.

Happy last-minute shopping, and at least we’re all in this together.

-Jill

TATBILB SEQUEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

December 19, 2018December 19, 20181 Comment

THIS IS NOT A DRILL, I REPEAT, THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

Whoa whoa whoa. I have just been alerted by an inside source (and by that, I mean my friend who has twitter) that Netflix is officially making a TATBILB sequel with Lana Condor and Noah Centineo! I know, I know, I’m excited too. I mean, what’s better than swoopy hair, Korean yogurt smoothies, a sentimental scrunchie, and a love hexagon all in one movie? And did I mention more Covinsky?!?!?!?!

To celebrate the announcement of the best movie of all time getting a sequel, I present you with a meme I made:

You may notice I chose not to be Peter Kavinsky. Why? Because I believe I don’t deserve to be Peter himself, even in picture format. First of all, I don’t do a very good duck face:

Second, I just don’t have what it takes to pull off suspenders, nor the ability to look down without doubling in chin size:

But I do agree with this statement:

And this one:

And my friend said you can’t get a guy that’s cute and doesn’t do drugs in this day and age:

In conclusion:

Fin.

-Jill (Kavinsky)

Secret Santa Update!|Blogmas Day Seven

December 19, 2018December 19, 2018Leave a comment

This weekend I had four gift exchanges. Two of them were Secret Santa’s, one was a group gift exchange, and the other was a white elephant party. It was a little crazy, to be honest, but it was so great seeing all my friends and giving each other gifts. I think it’s super rewarding to give someone a gift and watch their face light up with joy. With that said, it’s also fun to be on the receiving end!

On Saturday, I hosted a Secret Santa at my house for four of my best friends from middle school. I was Vivian’s Secret Santa and I gifted her a gorgeous Kate Spade mug and a coconut candle, both of which I bought at TJ Maxx. Jordan was my Secret Santa (two years in a row!) and she got me a sizeable gray water bottle (I really needed a reusable one), a face moisturizer, and a Burt’s Bees complexion stick- both of which I just ran out of. Jordan had perfect timing for all of my gifts, so many thanks and kudos to her.

After the Secret Santa, I went to a white elephant party, chez Grace. I brought a Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit, which Lilly got. At first, I picked up an envelope containing a PlayStation gift card, which was apparently for her brother’s friend. Grace had me take another one which was a white mug that said “Love” on it and was packaged with Ghirardelli hot chocolate. Overall, the party was great and the gifts were a nice touch.

Sunday, I went to Madeline and Vivian’s for another gift exchange! I gifted Madeline a black polka-dotted tumbler with a straw from Kate Spade (bought at Marshalls). Inside, I filled the cup with a pair of fuzzy socks and a hand creme. From Madeline, I received a Bite Beauty agave lip care set (which she bought in front of me, haha), a jelly lip mask, a charcoal sheet mask, and sour punch starws. Vivian gave me quite a few cutely packaged sheet masks which were Christmas themed (peppermint, hot cocoa, etc.) and reeses! I gave Jordan a Sephora skincare Christmas cracker, a mini Kate Spade notebook, and a tiny makeup pouch.

Later that day, I went to a High School Musical cast Secret Santa. I gave Lilly her velvet scrunchies from Francesca’s which she absolutely loved, and Lianna gave me a cheetah print Santa hat(!) and a set of five face masks. I got nine face masks from just that weekend of gift exchanges!

Today was my last day of school before we were let out for Christmas break, but it was for two hours and we just had class breakfast with our friends and an abridged version of the Christmas concert (which I was in). My friends were so sweet and got me the cutest gifts (without telling me so I really dropped the ball on reciprocation, but I’ll give ’em something for the new year). Mimi gave me a white mug outfitted mint green mug sweater to match my room and the 12 days of tea which was so cute because I bring tea to the train every day (except for today because I missed the train haha- if you haven’t noticed, I’m really winning today). Lilli gifted Mimi and I the softest black sherpas (twinning) which I threw on as soon as I got home, as well as chocolate and mint gum. Julianna gave me the nicest homemade and sentimental Christmas card which was so heartwarming to read. Now, if only I could convince her to do a duet with me (perhaps “For Good”) for open mic knight (yes, you read that right. It’s our brother school’s mascot and we love a good play on words hehe).

-Jill

The Ultimate Christmas Playlist|Blogmas Day Six

December 18, 2018Leave a comment

Christmas music is just great, don’t ya think? It’s the time of year when Michael Bublé comes out of hibernation and Broadway comes out with some snazzy tunes. Everyone has their own personal favorites, and when a new song comes out, it can quickly become a hit or miss among the masses. Today, I thought it would be fun to ask my friends what their favorite holiday bops are, thus creating The Ultimate Christmas Playlist. Happy listening (or in my case, jamming out)!

All I Want For Christmas Is You– Mariah Carey
Rockin’ Around the Pole– Mean Girls on Broadway feat. Erika Henningsen, Taylor Louderman, Ashely Park, and Kate Rockwell
The Christmas Song- Nat King Cole
It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas– Michael Bublé
The First Noel– Bing Crosby
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas– Michael Bublé
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer– Gene Autry
Mistletoe– Justin Bieber
Santa Tell Me– Ariana Grande
Santa Baby– Ariana Grande
Blue Christmas– Elvis Presley
Baby, It’s Cold Outside– Laura Osnes & Christopher Rice (Tap version)
Santa Claus is Coming to Town– The Jackson 5, Michael Bublé
Deck the Halls– Bing Crosby
Winter Wonderland– Michael Bublé
Carol of the Bells– Pentatonix
Mary, Did You Know?– Pentatonix
Song For You– Bridgit Mendler & Shane Harper
It’s Just Like Christmas– Christy Altomare & Zach Adkins
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree– Brenda Lee
White Winter Hymnal– Pentatonix
Hallelujah– Pentatonix
White Christmas– Corey Cott & Laura Osnes
Winter Wonderland– Michael Bublé
Let it Snow– Michael Bublé
Sleigh Ride– Amy Grant
It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year– Andy Williams

-Jill

Beauty Staples|Blogmas Day Five

December 17, 2018Leave a comment

Happy blogmas day five! Today I wanted to shift gears from writing about Christmas for the sole purpose of writing about Christmas and just write about something relevant year round. Funny thing is, beauty isn’t really relevant to me year-round because I typically don’t wear makeup, but when I do, I have very strong opinions on it, so today I’ll be counting down my favorite beauty staples of 2018 (which could be used as inspo for Christmas gifts, or it could just be seen as a nostalgic way to end 2018 by talking about my face- love that).

LUSH

Soak and Float Shampoo Bar– this shampoo bar soothes itchy scalps and makes hair look super clean. It also happens to be eco-friendly, package-free, and my favorite shampoo all in one!

Tea Tree Water Toner– THIS IS THE BEST FACIAL SPRAY EVER1 It makes your skin look and feel glowy, fresh, and dewy. It also smells great which is a plus- I sometimes use it as perfume if I can’t find my rollerball!

Amelie Mae Wash Card– I recently discovered Lush’s Wash Cards in June and have been obsessed ever since. My favorite scent is Amelie Mae, a decadent and pretty floral scent that’ll make it seem like Spring is just around the bend.

MASCARA (I love how I have a whole section dedicated to this because I’m such a mascara connoisseur)

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara– volume, darkness, and unspeakable length (see: Morticia’s go-to mascara).

Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Mascara– I love to use this on my lower lashes because the curve of the brush is perfect for coating every lower lash and the formula is far from clumpy.

Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara– I’m currently using this mascara and I love it. My lashes are long, dark, and voluminous, but in a more subtle and low-key way than the Too Faced mascara. 10/10 recommend.

Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara– this mascara was the predecessor to the Lancôme one, and the day I had to throw it out was full of death, darkness, and unspeakable sorrow. This is easily one of the most universally complementary mascaras as it looks good and natural at the same time! If you’re a newcomer to the world of mascara and looking to invest but don’t want to make a huge statement, this is the mascara for you.

FACE

Benefit Watt’s Up! Highlighter– I love to use highlighters on my eyes and this cream-to-powder stick is no exception. It goes on smooth and has a more platinum sheen to it, allowing it to match your jewelry regardless of the metal.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour blush– this blush is superb. It goes on super even and smooth, you can build it up with ease, and the pigment is insane. I use the shade “paaarty,” (I don’t know how many a’s there actually are but that’s a pretty solid guess on my part) which can be described as a muted pink with a splash of mauve.

Glamglow Mega Illuminating Moisturizer– this moisturizer smells like an orange creamsicle and it makes your skin glow with micro-sparkles and a thin satin finish on the skin. I use the shade “nude glow” by itself, or under face makeup for a more lit-from-within glow.

LIPS

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment– these tinted balms are perhaps the best tinted balms I’ve ever tried. My favorites are the shades rosé, tulip, and fig.

Burt’s Bees Satin Lipstick– these bee-friendly lippies are so smooth, creamy, and look best blotted. I have the shade “Lily Lake” which looks dark but gives a perfect wash of color when blotted.

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer Gloss– I love how comfortable this gloss is to wear, and the bronze shimmer really compliments every skin tone. It truly is a gloss every gal should own.

SKIN

Burt’s Bees Herbal Complexion Stick– this guy is my ride or die. The second I roll the stick on my face instantly clears up. It’s a must-have for pretty much any person part of the human race.

Yes To Carrots Vitamin-Enriched Kale Paper Mask– this mask just feels so amazing on the skin and it really brightens up your face.

Pacifica Cactus Water Micellar Cleansing Tonic– this micellar water feels so fresh and clean on your face, and it’s super satisfying to wipe away a day’s work with this toner.

Neutrogena Makeup Remover wipes– a classic for a reason, these wipes take off all makeup instantly, with no fuss. I was shocked when it took less than one wipe to take off my stubborn mascara on both eyes. It’s also a cult favorite so that’s a bonus.

-Jill

Holiday Outfit Guide|Blogmas Day Four

December 16, 2018December 17, 2018Leave a comment

Picking out an outfit for any holiday affair can be a dreaded task at times, especially when the dress code isn’t specified. Being consciously overdressed or underdressed at a holiday gathering can swing your whole mood and make the holidays more stressful than they should be. In honor of myself being overdressed every single year on Christmas Eve, (except for that one time in 2016 where I wore jeans, a sweater, and converse and suddenly everyone dressed like the Queen was coming to visit) I’ve compiled a list of looks for every holiday festivity you may encounter.

THE CASUAL GET-TOGETHER

Whether it be a cookie-swap, gift-wrapping party, or a movie night with friends, there’s no need to break out the diamonds (or cubic zirconia) for this one. A casually clean look is the way to go like this one below:

THE GROUP GIFT EXCHANGE

Secret Santa’s, Yankee Swaps, and White Elephants galore! The last thing you’d want is your outfit to be a bore.

THE OFFICE/SCHOOL SHINDIG

Perhaps your work or school has decided to host a holiday party this year and you know you’re going to raid through your closet to find something that’ll make you look drop-dead gorgeous, but in a subtle way, ya know? Well, never fear because my fashion expertise is here!

THE FORMAL SOIRÉE

So you’ve been invited to a fancy-schmancy holiday social and you don’t know what to wear. We’ve all been there before, but don’t be scared, I came prepared!

THE CHRISTMAS EVE GATHERING

Although Christmas Eve brings feelings of love, joy, and excitement, I’ve noticed most people like to wear dark colors to match the “eve” mood. This outfit screams (a kinda summery) Christmas Eve, and it even comes with cute bell sleeves!

THE CHRISTMAS DAY ‘DO

The day we’ve all been waiting for has finally come! We finally get to break out our snazziest coats, most coiffed chignons, and those dresses that beg to be worn every Christmas Day. Without any further ado, here’s my Christmas Day ‘do look for you!

THE NEW YEARS EVE BASH

Glitter, gold, and everything that sparkles is this outfits NYE slogan. You’ll dance the night away in this ensemble, perhaps even into New Years Day!

One|Two|Three|Four|Five|Six|Seven|Eight|Nine|Ten|Eleven|Twelve|Thirteen||Fourteen|Fifteen|Sixteen|Seventeen|Eighteen|Nineteen|Twenty|Twenty-One|Twenty-Two|Twenty-Three|Twenty-Four|Twenty-Five|Twenty-Six|Twenty-Seven|Twenty-Eight|Twenty-Nine|Thirty|Thirty-One|Thirty-Two|Thirty-Three|Thirty-Four|

-Jill

Holiday Gift Guide|Blogmas Day Three

December 16, 2018December 16, 2018Leave a comment

I don’t know about you but for me, Christmas shopping is one of the best parts of the season- and no, it’s not just because I like to shop. I love the feeling of giving something personal to someone; it subconsciously tells them “you matter to me,” without saying anything. I seriously cannot give a gift if it isn’t personal which drives my friends nuts sometimes.

I’m always that person who asks for Christmas lists in July and has their shopping done in September. Sadly, that’s not the case this year because of a little thing called school+rehearsal=no life, but I’m hoping this newfound experience will help me score some deals, buy more festive presents, and get in the holiday spirit! I know shopping for other people can be stressful and frustrating sometimes, so I compiled a list of affordable, yet personal, gifts for everyone in your life (including you!)

THE FAMILY

mom- this clean and useful Dirty set from Lush that’ll leave her feeling fresh as spring dew.

dad- this Under Armour fleece quarter zip that’s great on and off the course.

brother- this Amazon Echo Dot so they’ll never have to leave the couch again.

sister- this chic Tommy Hilfiger beanie to keep her fashionably warm.

THE EXTENDED FAMILY

grandma- this chic yet warm oversized check scarf to wear for a purpose or just because.

grandpa- this clean-lined, modern-classic quarter zip scarf that’ll keep him looking polished anytime he wears it.

aunt- this for that aunt that’s not a regular aunt, she’s a cool aunt, and this frame to keep it in.

uncle- this pocket-sized notebook for jotting down some quick thoughts.

cousins- these baseball caps that’ll become staples in their wardrobes.

THE FRIENDS

posh spice- these Stila glitter eyeshadows to sparkle up their season.

sporty spice- this water bottle with a built-in flavor infuser to add some flair in their daily workouts.

baby spice- this baby pink Glossier body moisturizer that’ll make anyone’s skin baby soft after one use.

scary spice- this JBL portable Bluetooth speaker that’s more powerful than their lungs.

ginger spice- these and these ginger tassel earrings are sure to match their fiery personality.

THE SECRET SANTA

bff- just get her the gift she’s been dying to pull the trigger on but won’t.

close friend- this trinket dish from Anthropologie and a dainty ring you know they’ll love.

colleague- this box of Tea Drops are just begging to be a part of their office morning routine.

acquaintance- these Literary Candles from Uncommon Goods and their respective book for a cozy night in.

Arghhhhhhh, I missed day three by nine minutes. Oh well, I tried.

-Jill

Christmas Wishlist|Blogmas Day Two

December 14, 2018December 14, 2018Leave a comment

Happy Blogmas day two! Today I will be sharing my Christmas wishlist with you all! I know it may seem like I’m asking for a lot, but first of all, my mom made me put more than five things on my list, and second of all, most of the clothes are for my school trip to Italy in April so that my mom doesn’t have to buy me clothes for the trip in addition to buying me Christmas presents. So sit back, relax, and grab your Christmas wishlist google doc!

If you couldn’t already tell by the name of this blog, I’m a HUGE Broadway fan. I was actually given the “Biggest Broadway Buff” paper plate award this year from The Addams Family. Anyways, there’s always something Broadway-related I ask for every year. Last year my list was almost only made up of tickets for shows and Broadway merch. Sadly, I didn’t get any tickets, but I did get a lot of fun merch! You know what they say: if you don’t succeed at first then try, try again, and that’s exactly what I plan on doing for the next forty years.

These are just the random gifts I actually need but there’s no common theme between them all and the other slides, so I just made a misfit slide for the misfit toys. I need the sweatpants, mocassins, and Starbucks gift card for school because it’s really cold waiting around at the train station in just a uniform- and the Starbucks is for the days I go there after school waiting to be picked up. The siliscrub is to help clear my itchy scalp and the hot hair brush to make my hair look not the worst on special occasions. The reusable straws are to help cut down on waste and save the environment. Lastly, the iTunes gift card and karaoke mic are so I can be a Broadway star in my living room.

Glossier. Enough Said.

Just kidding! I take any- and every- opportunity to talk about Glossier, even though I’ve never once tried it. I think I’ve watched Katherine Steele’s Glossier review on youtube about a hundred times because I’m just that obsessed. I don’t wear makeup on the reg, and if I do feel like putting some on I usually use mascara and a tinted lip balm. I find that when I wear makeup, I scratch it off by the end of the day because it irritates my skin so much. This is why I want to try the lightweight, minimal, and effortless Glossier line (which I assume is easy to use because hands=brushes in my book and mirrors don’t exist) for those days where I have to wear makeup (i.e. choir performances) or when I just want to put some color on this blank canvas. I want the perfecting skin tint in medium, birthday balm dotcom, the Glossier sweatshirt, and the Phase 2 set with boy brow in brown, Gen G lipstick in crush or zip, and stretch concealer in medium.

I just love all of these things. I also love how they each have a purpose. The Lululemon wunder under 7/8 leggings are on my list because I really need a new pair of high quality cropped leggings that don’t crop right below my knee and aren’t ripped in the worst places. The Lilly Pulitzer Indigo South Ocean Skinny Crop Pant would be a great, versatile piece for Italy. They’re cute, can be dressed up or down, and it won’t look like I’m very obviously wearing jeans in some of the most beautiful churches in the world. The Vineyard Vines Mixed Media Sweater would also be a great top for Italy, as navy goes with everything, and it’ll be a cute way to stay warm in the Roman April breeze. The Kate Spade Ruffle Logo Pullover would be the perfect sweatshirt for Italy (especially the plane and airport), as well as my weekend-wear. The Kate Spade x Keds Platinum Glitter Sneaker is once again for Italy! Our group leader told us that since we will be walking most of the day, sneakers would be the best choice of footwear, but I didn’t really feel like my ripped, once-white, battered converse would look acceptable in Church, so I thought the best way to dress up the most casual shoe would be glitter, and I happened upon these Kate Spade x Keds ones! Lastly, I threw in the Night Rose Crepe Dress from Kate Spade as a little “if you wanna get me this you can but I can live out the rest of my life perfectly happy without it” kind of gift. I think it’s timeless and elegant, but I’m thinking I’d probably wear it in a few years when I have places to go and people to see.

Thanks for checking out my Christmas wishlist!

-Jill

Secret Santa Alternatives|Blogmas Day One

December 13, 2018December 13, 2018Leave a comment

Hey y’all! Happy first day of Blogmas! I’ve decided that I will be doing the 12 days of Blogmas as a fun way to motivate myself to blog more in the coming year. Stay tuned for daily blog posts through December 25!

Gift exchanges can be tough, costly, and even bland sometimes. It can be rather time-consuming and frustrating having three different Secret Santas for three different friend groups. Even just buying individual gifts for family and friends can be a hassle even if they’re not particularly hard to find or expensive. It all can get so boring going to gift exchange after gift exchange after gift exchange, but I luckily came up with a solution. Here are five ways to spice up your gift exchanges:

1. Yankee Swap- I’ve done these before with my dance company and let me just say, this gift exchange is not for the weak. The way I did it was everyone brought in a wrapped gift under $25, sat in a circle, and picked a number. The first person had to pick a gift from the back of the room and sit back down. The second person could either pick another gift from the back or steal the first person’s gift. If the second person chose to steal the first person’s gift, the first person would have to pick another gift from the back of the room and so on. The game ends when every person has an unwrapped gift in their hands- p.s., this game is on the longer side, especially if your friends are vicious/competitive/out for blood (p.p.s., this gift exchange is the equivalent of the Holiday Hunger Games).

2. Sock Exchange- I know this sounds really strange and almost comical, but it’s actually one of the best replacements for a Secret Santa I’ve ever done. Basically, every person buys a pair of socks (preferably big and fuzzy) and fills them with all sorts of goodies like lip balm, coloring books, stationery, notebooks, a deck of cards, stickers, nail polish, jewelry, ornaments, skincare, makeup, really anything that’ll fit. Everyone picks a number to figure out the order everyone will be picking out their socks. By the end of the night, everyone will go home with a cute new pair of socks and some goodies to finish out the night!

3. The 12 days of Secret Santa- Last year my school friends and I came up with the idea to have a 12-day-long Secret Santa just because. Every day until Christmas break we would get a gift in our lockers and on the last day, we left a note revealing our identity. I tried to throw my person off by giving them things I thought the other people would gift to her, but the gifts eventually became bigger and better as the days went on. It was super exciting getting a present every day, and it really got us into the Christmas spirit! I highly recommend this one for sororities, students, and offices.

4. A Gift For All- Look, the holidays can get très coûteux, so why not get a gift everyone can enjoy together. A trip to the salon with your bff’s, a cooking class or recipe box for you and your roommates, tickets to see a show with your favorite castmates, or a day trip to the city with your aunt, mom or sister are all great gifts bound to make a splash.

5. Christmas the World Around- If you live far away from your go-to gals but still want to exchange gifts with them, then this is the perfect gift exchange for you! First, compile an alphabetized list of everyone participating in your swap. Then, have everyone fill up a box with enough gifts for everyone involved and send them to the first person that comes after their name alphabetically. Once someone receives a box, they pick out one gift from it and mail the rest of the box to the next person that comes after their name alphabetically. This continues until everyone has received a gift from everyone and the boxes are empty.

I hope these alternative ideas for a Secret Santa gift exchange make an appearance at your next holiday gift exchange!

-Jill