Dear December,

It feels like a long time since I last talked to you but it's only really been a week and a half. And how eventful was that week and a half. I volunteered to put together care packages for families in need, I took my finals, I went Christmas present shopping, I went to Disneyland. It's been great! Let me tell you this month has been a whirlwind of craziness and it's not even over yet.

For the past four years I've been part of a club that allows it's members to give back to it's community. This is really important to me. Every year since I've been a part of it I've been part of our holiday drive. It's our biggest event and my personal favorite. While our packaging day is long and crazy it's so worth it. That day was a really long day but it was great to be able to give back and do something meaningful. After packaging was over I went to my little brother's bad concert which was great except he missed the first song because he was late. *shakes head*. He's had a run of bad luck recently. But once he showed up on stage, he did really well. 

I've now been to Disneyland a total of three times; once when I was too young to remember, once when I went with my middle school band, and once last Friday. I think there's something to be said about feeling an infinite sort of moment. The entire day felt like a dream. I went on roller coasters and little kiddie rides and I felt really happy. I loved being able to be a kid and have fun without a regard about what comes next. That's what I love about you, December, I have the liberty to be as childish as I wish and be happy within that scope. I can be crazy about my holiday decorating, I can wear a a whipped cream mustache without being embarrassed, I can find the joy in the little details and smile like a dork. December is a time where you can look back and be happy about the year you've had, the past years you've lived, and find your inner kid amidst all the holiday cheer. 

I'm listening to Christmas music and i'm freaking out about college apps. With one chapter of my senior done and sealed with the end of my exams it's bloody insane to think that I'm at the end of my high school career. While high school is not something I would willingly relive, it's still bittersweet to be at the end, about to leave. Finals, as usual were stressful, but there was a new tinge of finality to these exams that made me both REALLY happy and sort of sad. 

A week and a half. That's all it took to end a chapter, to start a new one, to go to the happiest place on earth. December, you've been good to me, so thanks.

Love always,

Letter to December #12

Dear December,

It seems that no good thing ever really lasts. Christmas has come and gone faster than I wanted it too. All this work is put into this holiday that ends up being nothing more than a day long. But somehow it works out. Christmas eve is filled with food and jokes and drama. While Christmas day is calm and happy and beautiful. 

For most people the big day is Christmas day. For me, December, it's Christmas eve. We have a meal, a movie, and plenty of conversation to go around.  Though if I'm being totally honest, there was some unforeseen drama that caught me off guard. It was kind of crazy and even a little more in like. It was at that point that I really wished that my life was anything but a movie is because if the issue had continued, let me tell you that this movie would have an interesting ending to say the least.

Regardless Christmas was good. It was great. It was a cold day by California's Standards. We exchanged presents in the morning. I loved seeing people's faces when the opened their presents, presents I have had planned out since the beginning of this month. I love how well my family know me. I mean My sister got me a Stitch stuffed animal. I'm a 16 year old girl who was really really happy to get a stuffed animal :). I'm lame I know. It was great. I love what I received as gifts. But the thing that makes me smile the most is the fact that these people, my family, my friends, took the time to look for something for me that they knew would make me happy. In the end that's all Christmas is. A feeling you get.

There's this thing we do on Christmas. Where we all stay in our Christmas P.J's and stay home and watch movies. As you know December, we go out into your chilly embrace to go rent movies. So that means that we (and I mean me) go out and rent movies in pajamas and bed heads. Needless to say I got my fair share of stares. Yeah...But I think it's worth it. That's usually the only outing we do all day. The rest it movies, food, and tea. That sums it up! It was great and oh so worth the wait!

December, i'm so happy with the way things are at the moment. It's been a little cray on the way here, but I think its been worth it. I can't believe that Christmas is gone and all that are left now are memories and pictures and things. But I guess it works out better this way.

Love Always

Letter to December #11

Dear December,

I've been thinking about how many times a day I say the word "I". I say it a lot. I think most people say it an uncountable amount of times a day. I say it too much, I think. It seems that I always find a way to bring things back to me. Like if i'm in a conversation about something random I seem to always say something like "I think", "I'm just saying", or "In my opinion". Lately I've been noticing this "I" take over.

It's important to have self value, it's important that every one know that they have a voice. But what i'm getting at is that so many people think  a lot about themselves and never once let themselves think about other people. Never venture into someone else's shoes. Never think in a different point of view. It seems that we all have just become our little islands. That's why you're so important December. That's why Christmas is so special.

It's during these cold days that we all begin to remember that other people matter too. That other people matter to us. That maybe instead of using  "I" all the time we can use "us" or "we". We think of others and we feel good about it. Christmas reminds us that bringing happiness to the people we care about, and maybe even those we've never met, or never will meet, is the best feeling. I know it's cheesy and corny, but that's what the holidays are about, saying the cheesy stuff, doing those simple corny things. I finished watching Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, one of my favorite holiday specials, and I think a lot of us are like Donald Duck's nephews, focused on presents and ourselves.

So even though Christmas has become this very materialistic holiday it's important to remember that at the root of all the money and capitalistic gains, the whole point is to make someone happy.There's nothing wrong with stuff, everyone wants and needs things. It's just bad when all you care about is getting things. Like Donald Duck said "Christmas is about the hearts you touch".

December, it's toward the end, it's toward this festive season that humanity seems to show it's face after a year of being vacant. You help remind people that us humans don't actually totally suck all the time. Because lets face it people suck most of the time. Christmas is my favorite holiday, not because of the tinsel, the lights, or the food, well maybe the food. It's because I get to be part of something that makes the people who care so much about me, happy.

Now, I'm so excited that it's Christmas. Now, as you know December, this month has been crazy, but tomorrow all the craziness, all the work put into gifts, DIY stuff, food, will all be worth it. So yeah, And in typical Giselle fashion, I'm writing this late in the morning, with a nice mugful of tea :)

Merry Christmas, December

Love Always,

Christmas Gift Guide: Last Minute Gifts for Men

Part Two of a four part series. So this is the Men's gift ideas, here are the Ladies' gift ideas, and there will be a book gift guide :) Of course people tend to not to fit categories so feel free to mix and match, but at least the types of presents are under categories!

The Mountain Man: The nature is mans best friend guy. You know the one, the one who loves spending time outside, hiking, walking

• Hiking Boots or Running Shoes
• Backpacks
• Tumbler
• Earbuds
• Sweater
• Flannel
• Adventure hats (yes this is a thing my friend and brother have one)

The Classy Bro: The guy who wears really nice cologne, has cool shoes, and wears bow ties

• Nice Dress Shirt or a Polo
• A Suit
• Messenger Bag
• Bow Tie
• Belt or suspenders
• Journals

Indie Kid:The hipstery boy in your life that wears a lot of flannels, wears beanies, and reads poetry

• Aviators 
• Cool button ups 
• Sweaters
• Watch
• Lenses for phone cameras
• Mug
• Wreak this Journal (great for everyone!)

Skater Dude: The guy who is chill, laid back, and wears snap backs, and graphic tees

• Headphones
• Vans or other skating shoes
• Beanie or snapback
• Baseball Tees
• Cool printed sweatshirts
• Backpacks
• Funny Books
• ex) Get Sh*t Done

Christmas Gift Guide: Last minute Ideas for Ladies

So Christmas is in a few days. For some people, the lucky, organized, responsible people are getting a few last minute things, but are all set with presents. The rest of the human population is freaking the fuck out because Christmas is in a few days and we have absolutely nothing. So seeing as this is a plight I am all too familiar with I thought I would help by doing some last minute gift guides for those of us who a little late to this party.

Here are links to gifts and links to gift ideas. :)

Ladies:

The Girly Girl: The girl who loves to dress up, do her make up, and really likes pink.

• Nail Polish box or Nail Stickers or Both :)
• Make Up Brushes
• Eye Shadow
• Mini Make-up Kit
• Rookie Yearbook
• Purse
• Hair Bows

The Edgy One: The one that's not afraid to wear leather, spikes, and all black. She's fearless

• Headphones
• Nail polish
• Combat Boots
• Bold statement pieces
• Bracelets
• Watches
• Earrings or Ear Cuffs
• Faux Fur vest or jacket
• Flask

The Boho Chick: Has a flower child influence to her wardrobe, chill relaxed.

• Tribal Inspired jewelry
• Rings
• Earrings 
• Head Accessories 
• Candles or fairy lights
• Journal
• Scarf
• Hats
• Beanie
• Fedora

The Creative, Craft-y girl: The one who likes to scrapbook, make DIY things, and always goes full out on school projects

• Scrapbook
• Jewelry making kit
• Wreak This Journal ( great gift for everyone!)
• Notebook
• Nail Art kit 
• Disposable Cameras or a Polaroid 

Letter to December #10

Dear December,

Sometimes all you need is a nice big breath, a cup of tea, and an afternoon of nothingness. Now, I've always been one to keep busy. I like running around doing errands, making plans, scheduling things etc. But for a moment, just a tiny one I sat down, tea in hand, and just relaxed and surprisingly enough I enjoyed my moment of nothingness. 

Of course, December, it didn't last long. I went to target not soon after to go Christmas shopping. With finals done, school on pause, I finally have time to get presents and make them. This is my favorite time of the year and it almost makes up for the head splitting-ness of finals week. But it got me thinking, maybe it's time for me to take a deep breath and look around me. I don't think I do it enough. 

People are always doing things. That, I think sometimes, we get so focused on tasks, that we forget the big picture. We forget that we are living breathing people who are living their lives. I know it's cliche but I don't think anyone really stops to smell the roses anymore. And then at random moments, we'll just think "Holy Shit, This is my life". For me it hit me yesterday. With a mug in hand, and nothing to do, it hit me that this is actually what i'm doing with my life, my time, my energy. And I wish I would have stopped more and just taken in the moments, instead of living life on super speed, busy as a bumblebee. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that, I need to be more in touch with the big picture of it all. I focus to much on the tiny details that won't matter in ten years. I focus on the small things so much I forget that I need to take a breather sometimes. But better late than never, right December?

Love Always,

Letter to December #8

Dear December,

It was cold and rainy and I felt like baking. It was an eventful experience. Mostly because my brother was baking with me. Yeah....

Yesterday was the 12 of December. For most people it was just another day. But for me and my family it was my mom's and sisters saint day. They are both named after the Virgin of Guadalupe. I'm the odd daughter out. My name is Giselle not Guadalupe like my mom and sister. My plan is to add it as a middle name later on in life. We'll see how that goes. Anyways, my brother and I wanted to do something nice for mom since it was the day of her saint.

My brother biked to Target got some cookie mix, cupcake mix and frosting. My dear little brother did his best as a baker, but the poor kid didn't even really know how to crack an egg. So I guess this was an educational experience for him. Like how you're supposed to watch the cookies as you bake. And you know, not let them burn. He still needs to work on baking skills but he's great at decorating :)

The cupcakes turned out really good. The cookies... not so much. I was washing dishes and my little brother was in charge of the cookies. We were in the final stages of baking so I was cleaning up. Then he asks for help and I tell him to wait because I was almost done, but he repeated his words and he was holding a cookie tray full of burnt cookies. So then I took the tray from him trying to find a space to but the tray down. The tray however was soo hot that I burned my finger a little bit. Note: If you ever get burned put tomato on it. It helps. All of a sudden the piercing shriek of the fire alarm went off and I starting to freak out. I put the cookie tray down on a chair and took the other one out, Thankfully Omar was able to turn it off.

Some cookies were salvageable. I couldn't stop laughing after it happened. All the while Christmas Music was playing. But regardless it's a nice, funny memory and to be honest quite a story. Life is a series of moments, some imprinted in out brains some lost in the corners of our mind, And December, I'm making some awesome ones this month.

Love Always

Letter to December #5

Dear December,

Sometimes you don't even realize how fast time goes until your standing and wondering where exactly it went. You kind of snuck up on me. I was just minding my own business thinking the end of the year was so far off, but in reality its not. Now I can feel the pressure to do well on my finals even more than I did last year. I'm kind of freaking out. 

It's starting too feel more and more christmas-y everyday. My family and I put up our Christmas Tree on Saturday. I decorated it with my mum, while everyone else slacked off. That's okay, I don't mind. Decorating is one of my favorite things. Once I finished the tree I put up tinsel and lights and ornaments and wreaths all around the living room. I went a little crazy. But I do that almost every year. I decorated my room as well. I have a mini Christmas tree, Christmas lights up with ornaments hanging them as well as tinsel. I LOVE IT. 

Isn't this beautiful! Lol this isn't mine, i'll put up a pic soon!

Everything is moving by so fast December, I don't know how to hold on to anything anymore. It seems the more I cling to my memories of yesterdays the faster time escapes me. I guess that just means I have to be more focused on the here and now. Like I was yesterday when I was trying to make it seem like Christmas threw up in my house. I even changed my screen saver to a Christmas print thing.
I was caught in the moment, letting life engulf me, letting Christmas thoughts whirl around my head. Maybe I should listen to Elsa and let go a little bit. 

Love Always, 

Dear December,

Winter's here, but you knew that already. I love the chill air, the gloomy days, the jumpers and boots. This is my season. I had this idea when I was watching Carrie Fletcher's Letter's to Autumn. I figured that you, my lovely December, might need some company too. So I find myself sitting on my bed, clutching a mugful of tea trying to type this letter out. 

It's been raining in Southern California. I can actually feel winter here which is strange because It almost feels like Autumn never happened. It never really got too cold. And now all of a sudden I find myself wrapped in sweaters and scarves. Oh how I love it! I'm excited for the month, to see what it brings. 

It's time to bust out a Christmas tree, sing some Christmas carols. It's time to look back on the year, now that it's coming to an end. It's time to buy presents and cram for finals. It's time for me to buy cough drops and movies. My life's been so busy lately, with Blogtober, then NaNoWriMo, and now Letter's to December. This year has been good to me, so let's end it with a bang.

Love Always,