A WHITE-ISH CHRISTMAS AND A BOWLING PARTY FOR JESUS

Since when do we have thunderstorms in Minnesota on Christmas? Last Sunday, I walked through the streets of Madison in -8 degrees (with a -21 degrees windchill). And for Christmas, we get rain? I don't understand. I blame everyone who sang Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" on repeat for weeks. 

I won't even wish for snow... 

WELL, YOU SHOULD HAVE. I'm not saying that I want it to be as cold as last weekend--that was horrible. But it is not supposed to rain on Christmas. 

As I slid through ice-coated streets of Minnie in the morning, I couldn't help but picture my car wedged in a snowbank. I could barely brake. And even though I knew it was coming, I had a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that it would actually rain on Christmas. Who would have thought I should have brought my umbrella and rain boots back from school? It's December!

While we technically had a white Christmas, something about a downpour in the middle of Christmas lunch just didn't seem right. I want pretty flurries and the streets to be lightly dusted with a powdered-sugar-like coating. Is that too much to ask for?

I think the thunder and lightening later in the night is what really put me over the edge. We really had to have a thunderstorm on Christmas? I would have gladly taken a snowstorm over this.

When I was little, my grandma used to tell me that we had thunderstorms when God was bowling with the angels, so I wouldn't be scared of them. It became fun. I imagined a bowling ball going down a lane in Heaven every time it thundered. So, if it had to rain today, at least maybe we can imagine Jesus chose to go bowling for his birthday this year?

Despite the rain, I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2nd day of Hanukkah.

THE ULTIMATE WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT GUIDE

'Tis the season to give your friends ridiculous Christmas gifts. Figuring out what to buy takes forever! Forget Black Friday. Save some time this Thanksgiving for stuffing your face spending with family, and be the star of the Christmas party with the #1 White Elephant gift.

1. Clip In Man Bun

Groupon

In case you haven't heard, 2015 is the year of the man bun. Help your boyfriend or best guy friend fit in this season with this gem of a hair accessory. And can you believe that 85% discount?! What a deal!

2. Kale T-Shirt

Etsy

Who needs a Yale T-shirt when you can have the obviously superior Kale T-shirt? Nobody actually goes to Yale anyway. And everyone LOVES kale!

3. Giant Carrot for Loneliness

Etsy

Priced at $100 this is quite the commitment. But you will definitely take a bite out of the competition with this one. Plus, you could potentially be helping a single friend make it through the holidays. Who needs a boyfriend when you have a carrot to cuddle with?

4. Unicorn Ski Mask for Glasses Wearers

Etsy

How many times have you caught yourself thinking, Why don't they make ski masks that don't discriminate against glasses wearers? I'm sure it's caused many sleepless nights. But don't fret, THE SOLUTION IS HERE.

5. Flask Tie

Amazon

James Bond had a watch that helped him save the day. Give your friends the gift that will save the night.

6. Mini Beer Pong

Uncommon Goods

Can't fit a pong table in your tiny college apartment? The beer pong gods have answered your prayers. With this gift your friends will be the hit of EVERY college party.

7. Portable Wine Sack

Uncommon Goods

Forget Franzia. Make slapping the bag classy with the present that allows you to bring your wine anywhere.

8. Flask Book Box

Uncommon Goods

Because who actually reads books in college?

With these gifts, your friends will definitely leave saying, "All I want for Christmas is [insert your name here]." May your Christmas party be as successful of as the sales of these well-reviewed gold mines.

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS CHRISTMAS FREIGHT SPECIAL **SPOILER ALERT**

 

Pretty Little Liars has had us on the edge of our seats for years. All we are asking for is the answer to who is behind that one little letter. To anyone who was disappointed in their lack of a Halloween episode, this Christmas episode came through to give fans a quick fix of the Liars. Don't be fooled by holiday theme, this episode was packed with the usual mystery and suspense of the regular season.

After the "Fatal Finale", we were left with more suspicion of Ali than ever before. Before Mona's untimely death she assured the girls that she had proof Ali was A,  but A got to Mona before the girls could.

Mona's ghost visits Ali: In a sort of A Christmas Carol style, Mona comes to take Ali to her past. Little Alison is shown playing the piano when she suddenly discovers two presents were hidden inside the piano. She takes them out to discover two identical dresses. When her mom finds her she makes Alison repeat that she only saw one dress, because "daddy would leave them" if he found out. Who was the other dress for? Is it connected to Bethany? Does Ali actually have a twin? The scene ends with Ali asking Mona if the other dress was for Bethany, but per usual all we get is more questions.

Hanna and Spencer went digging for evidence: Hanna and Spencer ditch the rest of the crew to break into Alison's house in search of something that might connect her to Mona's murder.

Ali arrives at the Ice Ball with her army: Sydney and Jenna reveal to Emily that the only reason they are working with Ali is because they are scared of her--and they think she killed Mona. Whether or not they are trustworthy is always a mystery but, nonetheless, Ali comes prepared. Cece Drake also makes a brief appearance, warning Ali that her "former friends" are starting to become suspicious.

Everyone's relationships seems to be working out: It's not secret the liars have had their fair share of relationship drama in the series. But in this Christmas special, all of the girls have their S.O. by their side.

Hanna goes relatively unharmed, despite A showing up with a knife: While she's searching for evidence, Spencer is playing a deadly game of hide-and-seek with A. After breaking a frame to create a makeshift weapon, Spencer goes to find Hanna only to find her knocked out, and A has already escaped through the window.

Ali gets a deathly scare: Mona's ghost returns to give Alison a glimpse of her grim future. We see Ali in a casket and get a brief visit from her mom again, apologizing and warning "They'll be coming for you?" But who are "they"? And is this really what they have in store for the girl who's already returned from the dead once before?

Christmas resumes: A snow storm separates the girls from their families, but they still managed to make a beautiful Christmas dinner. The episode attempts to end on a more optimistic note filled with holiday cheer. But what would PLL  be without a classic note signed, "-A" to close out the night?

This Christmas special only gave us a taste of what's to come. While we are dying to know who killed Mona, the winter season premiere less than a month away. You can tune into the new season on Tuesday January 6th. But after the teaser that followed the episode, it's guaranteed that this season will keep us in suspense until the very end.

What did you think about the PLL Christmas special? Was it everything you expected? Or did you like the Halloween specials better?

This post originally appeared on Her Campus.

9 WAYS TO ESCAPE THE MISTLETOE

You're hanging out with friends Friday night at the perfect holiday party. Michael Bublé's Christmas album is ringing throughout the apartment. You're in your favorite festive outfit, and you're admiring all the holiday decorations. That's when it happens: you're underneath the mistletoe and you're not alone. If it's not with the guy you have had your eye on, you're going to need an exit strategy.

*Internal thoughts*: This isn’t happening.

 What now? 

1. Gather some of your girl friends, and turn it into a dance party.

 2. Suggest you two hit the cookie table and dig in on the gingerbread men instead.

3. Point out something else in the room to distract him.

4. Turn the situation into an opportunity to get a few laughs from people the people around you.

5. Make up an excuse about something you're supposed to do.

6. Freak him out by quoting something like The Notebook, and then walk away dramatically.

7. Or even better: tell him you have already been through this.

8. Mention that certain time of the month. You're guaranteed to scare the guy away with that one. Works every time.

9. Or you could always go with a classic.

Hopefully you won't be in this position this holiday season. But if you find yourself in a sticky situation, it's important to have a game plan.

P.S. Results may vary.

This post first appeared on Her Campus.