LIFE

'Tis the season to spread some supersized seasonal splendor…and we’ve got seven shiny, happy, brilliant ideas to ramp up the joy among your nearest and dearest (Santa hat optional).

Festivity on lock

Give your crew something to beam about. Pick up a few rolls of the snazziest wrapping paper you can find, snag an early ride to school and wrap all of your buds’ lockers. Tape on oversized gift tags and add some shiny ribbon for flair. Happy hall-idays!

Ding-dong-ditch decor

Pack a box with all sorts of surprises to help your girls transform their rooms into winter wonderlands. Think: candy canes, a paper snowflake chain, fairy lights, a spruce-scented candle and a sprig of mistletoe, all topped with an explosion of silver and gold tinsel. Leave your package on their front step, ring the bell…then book it

Remix a family tradition

Make your family smile by turning the Elf on the Shelf idea on its head. Instead of making him a spy for your younger siblings, move Elf around your house to places your parents will see it: next to their car keys, by the coffee pot, on top of the washing machine. Leave funny notes or their favorite treats to spread some cheer when they least expect it.

@madisonpettis

Impress your kiddo crew

Babysitting this weekend? Fill a tote bag with everything you need for a wintry craft (like birdseed balls, yarn-and-stick Christmas trees or macaroni wreaths. Crafting cute decorations or little gifts (and cleaning up after!) will score you sitter-of-the-century honors...and maybe even a big holiday tip.

Glow big or glow home

Give your neighborhood a little extra twinkle. Have your family help you line your sidewalks with white paper lunch bags weighted down with sand or kitty litter. Place an LED tea light inside each bag and watch as your neighbors ooh and aah over your dazzling display.

@dararenee

Jingle all the way

Before you and your gang part ways for winter break, send each pal two Spotify playlists—one with all your favorite holiday tunes, and the other loaded with your must-list of gems they can’t go into 2025 without (search @girlslifemag on Spotify for ideas). You know, for when they just can’t take another chorus of “Rudolph.”

Sneaky season's greetings

Hit the dollar store for a totally cheesy holiday figurine. Then, when your bsf’s not looking, tuck it into her bag or locker with a note telling her to stealthily stash it with another girl. Keep passing it along like a game of holiday tag. The only rule? If you get caught elfing, the next round of hot chocolate is on you!

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this story originally ran in our December/January 2025 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

Keep the cheer coming with these fab 'n' festive stories:
🎉 EXCLUSIVE! Freya Skye is a whole holiday mood
🎉 How to deal with holiday family drama
🎉 Our guide to achieving that "new year, new you" glow

Top and slider image: @niasioux

by GL | 12/25/2024