It’s December and you know what that means – seasonal drink menu debuts at coffee shops, floods of out-of-office emails, and radio stations playing Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” on repeat. It’s officially the holiday season, and this year, we plan on soaking up every bit of magic, joy, and celebration we can. Today’s quick tip is to find ways, big and small, to get into the holiday spirit and make the most of this special season.

The holidays hold something enjoyable for every interest. There are endless baking recipes to experiment with, outdoor sports to try, opportunities to volunteer, and Hallmark Christmas movies to curl up and watch. If you’re looking for inspiration, keep reading for our ideas on how to usher in some holiday cheer.

There isn't a lot from the months and months of COVID-19 lockdown that I find myself missing, but there are a few things that were born during that era of my life that I still very much enjoy. One such practice is the "Hot Girl Walk." The colorful terminology for what is just a walk around your neighborhood was coined on TikTok and popularized during the pandemic when there wasn't much else to do outside of your home but get some socially distanced outdoor exercise. As the restrictions were lifted, people's daily jaunts evolved from ways to kill time into how they chose to travel between local errands, such as coffee runs or running out to buy a missing but necessary ingredient at the grocery store. Today, I find they are a great way to clear your head and re-center yourself as the main character from within the chaos of life.

You’re curled up in bed at 1 a.m. again, re-reading your favorite Emily Henry novel and getting swept away by the main characters’ romance. All their flirty banter. The electric chemistry. The date that’s absolutely, totally not a date, according to the characters. The misunderstanding that leads to a knock-down, drag-out fight (and make up). The slow burn and big declaration of love. Your head and heart are swimming in romantic themes.

We know all too well how engrossing a good romantic storyline can be and how we can walk away with a new appreciation for love, and at The FMC, we believe that love should extend to ourselves. One of the best ways to bring a little more love into your life? Take yourself out on a solo date.

Here at The FMC, we love 'love.' We adore a good sworn-worthy romance that ends in a classic foot-popping kiss. But, if you were to ask us what our favorite kind of love is, we would have to tell you that platonic love is the adoration of choice. Friendship holds within itself and fosters a special kind of magic. Any good romance feels empty without it. What good is meeting a leading man if the FMC does not have at least one best friend to fawn over him with? Half of the giddy feeling that accompanies falling in love is partly due to the oft-dramatic retellings shared over a bottle of rosé.

So, you followed Miley’s advice. You went to the store, bought some flowers and put them in a vase. Your living space is now adorned with perfumed petals. Yet, you still aren’t feeling like the witty award-winning sitcom lead that you know you’re meant to be. What can you do next, or, if you don’t have a green thumb, instead? The FMC has got you covered. Today’s quick tip will illustrate a different way to capture that cinematic, larger-than-life, take-on-the-world feeling. We see it as a bonus that this suggestion is often perfectly sequenced to an upbeat pop song but don’t worry. Headphones are optional.

The weather is warming. The sun is often out. Spring is fully upon us. Right now, one of the most enjoyable ways to claim your main character energy is to take Miley Cyrus’ advice: buy yourself flowers. Not only, do they instantly brighten any room, but a colorful collection of petals adds a level of “put-togetherness”—real or mere illusion—to any space. Flowers are also highly customizable. You can purchase ready made bouquets at a variety of price points or create a personal display that fits your space exactly the way you’d like.