Page 35 2025 Home For The Holidays Lincoln Daily News clears a path to the “yes” options naturally. Once your logistics are set, you can shift into the fun parts — the little touches that elevate the gathering from a hangout to a holiday memory. Pinterest becomes your ally here, filled with décor and craft ideas that can turn your living room into something warm and festive without draining your wallet. As Tom Lehrer once joked, “Plagiarize! Let no one else’s work evade your eyes!” There’s no shame in borrowing ideas when the internet has already done half the decorating work for you. A good friends’ Christmas gathering works best when the night stays in a natural “flow state,” where nothing feels forced or rigid and there’s always something to do. Keeping a familiar Christmas movie playing softly in the background (turn on subtitles) gives people a place to gravitate toward when they first arrive, especially if they’re shy or still shaking off the cold. Let games happen organically — set them out on the table so people can jump in whenever they feel like it rather than announcing a strict start time. And it never hurts to begin the fun a little early, whether that’s decorating cookies, playing the first round of a game, or just having music and snacks already going. When the energy is warm and welcoming before the last guest even walks in, the whole night feels easier. People step through the door and instantly sense, “Oh, okay — this is going to be fun.” To keep gifts affordable, especially during a month when everyone is already spending too much, a white elephant exchange can bring laughter without breaking the bank. It removes the pressure to buy something extravagant and keeps the focus where it belongs — on enjoying each other’s company. The best part is that the gifts can be as strange, sentimental, or creative as you want. Weird thrift-store finds always get a good reaction, especially if they’re slightly creepy such as weird ancient dolls or toys. Hand-sewn dolls made from old clothing or scrap fabric add a surprisingly sweet, homemade touch. White elephant gifts work best when they’re cheap, silly, and full of personality — exactly the kind of energy that makes a friends’ homecoming night unforgettable. Lastly, I personally enjoy a checklist as it is my savior from chaos in life. Feel free to copy and paste the checklist I created for this article. (Feel free to check these off as you go — your sanity will thank you.) ☐ Parking Plan: Make sure friends know where to park and whether they need to leave room for neighbors or plow trucks. ☐ Entrance Ready: Coat rack cleared, walkway salted if icy, lights on, pets contained if needed. ☐ Music Setup: Playlist made, speaker charged ☐ Food: Snacks, something filling, something
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