Home(sick) for the holidays? Long gone are the childhood days of wrapping tinsel on the Christmas tree or baking cookies for Santa while the warm fireplace crackles in our living rooms.

Growing into our adult lives comes with the harsh reality that the blank walls in our apartment don’t provide us any holiday cheer. Our rooms smell of burnt Bagel Bites and spilled coffee rather than the sweet sap of a fresh-cut tree or our mother’s famous Christmas roast.

Although our holiday seasons begin with a week of final tests and projects, we shouldn’t deprive ourselves of getting into the holiday spirit.

As college students, we love to hold on to pieces of our childhood while learning to navigate life on our own – making our home away from home a little more cheerful.

Here are 10 ways to bring holiday cheer to college:

Peppermint-Flavored Everything

We’re talking anything from coffee creamer to ice cream, Oreos to candy canes. If you can find it in the grocery store – stock up while it lasts.

Holiday Music 24/7

Studying for finals becomes a little more cheerful while belting out to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.”

Hot Cocoa

Swap that late-night coffee for a cup of hot cocoa served in a stylish holiday mug. Yes, the cuter the mug, the more you will enjoy what’s in it.

Buy a Mini Christmas Tree

Think you don’t have room for a tree? Think again. Add lights and mini ornaments to make this addition even more homey.

Hang String Lights

You may already have lights hung year-round in your apartment, but add some extra strands in different places to brighten up every room.

Fuzzy Socks and Sweaters

Complete your comfy studying outfit with holiday fuzzy socks and oversized knit sweaters. Just don’t get too comfy – those books won’t read themselves!

Host a “Framily” (Friend-Family) Meal

Who knows, your mom might even share that secret family recipe. Don’t have roommates? Invite other friends to make it a “potluck” style meal! Sitting around the table with something other than pizza will make for a nice change.

Christmas Countdowns

We all know those people who have been counting down since July. Now is a very appropriate time to join in on the countdown.

Roommate Christmas Cards

Celebrate the holidays with the family you live with nine months out of the year. They are easy to make and order through CVS or other online stationary shops. Trust me, your grandma will love getting one of these from you.

Holiday Movie Marathons

Thanks to Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas movie showings, we can get all of the classics. But if you’re looking for something new, the Hallmark channel will release 33 new and original movies this holiday season.

Don’t let finals drag the cheer out of you!

We hope these tips will fill you with holiday spirit and motivate you to finish the semester on a good note.

Have more tips on how to bring holiday cheer to college? Let us know in the comments or tell us on social media @AuburnCampusRec.

Happy Holidays from The Rec,

Be well, Auburn.

Photography: Julia B.