Reading day started for me at BYU today. That means finals is next week. Now, I realize that most people are finishing up their finals today and heading home for a lovely Christmas break. But starting a week later than everyone in September means I get to stay a week later in December. Which I think I’m fine with…but I’ll let you know soon. Anywho I realize now that a post about how to survive finals may be a little late in coming. So instead I’m posting about something else! Get ready for it…..

The Stocking Exchange.

Every year my brother and sisters and I do the Stocking Exchange. This is a sacred ritual that my brother and I started probably when I was five and he was seven. Yes, he’s always been a genius. (And has been accepted to law school with scholarships at BYU, Duke, and UCLA. We’re waiting to hear from Harvard!) So anyway, here’s how it goes.

We wake up early on Christmas morning and read our books that we got the night before. We go upstairs at 7 AM and not a minute earlier, and grab our stockings. We then sort the candy, and trade it. After we properly open the Stocking Exchange with clapping and a gavel. So here are the rules so you can make your own Stocking Exchange:

Big items may not be traded! All non candy items are non-tradeable, gum is not tradeable, and larger candy items like raspberry or orange sticks, or orange chocolate balls, are non-tradeable.
Small candy items are generally traded on a one to one basis, i.e. one cherry Kiss for one Butterfinger Bell.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are generally accepted for a 2-1 ratio instead, i.e. two cherry Kisses for one Reese’s Cup.
Milkyway Reindeer or Marshmallow Santas may be traded and generally at least five small candies must be presented for the trade to be acceptable.
Candy Canes are like pennies, can be used to push a trade slightly over the edge but traded by themselves they are worthless.
You may not take advantage of younger children. A witness must approve a trade by a child ages 7 and under to make sure all is fair.
More expensive chocolate, such as Lindt or Ghiradelli, is worth more Hershey or other small candy, generally at least a 2 to 1 ratio depending on sizes
Reese’s Trees are worth at least 3 regular Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.
All trades are final.
Once the Stocking Exchange is closed, no more trades may take place.

Yeah, my family can be nerdy sometimes. But I just love them:)

Here’s a fun little video that reminded me of my family. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. THERE IS SOME SWEARING AND SOME INAPPROPRIATE STATEMENTS. But really it’s way funny.

Whether you broke up with him, he broke up with you, or it was a mutual decision, break ups are kinda the worst. But never fear! I have a method of coping with break ups that you might enjoy. Everybody copes a little differently, but here are some of my fool-proof solutions to weather the storm.

1. Put your phone away. You will be tempted to text and confide in lots of people, or call/text him and try to figure it out. Just put it away for a little while!
2. Good friends are a must. Don’t drown your sorrows to them, just tell them you’re going through this rough thing and even if you only get to talk for a minute, they’ll remind you to keep your chin up!
3. Chocolate. This is probably the most important part. If chocolate isn’t your junk food of choice, that’s ok! Just pick something. For most people, the comfort food that works the best is chocolate. Eat it and enjoy.

4. Let yourself be a little sad. The best thing to do is not try and keep your emotions in. Go somewhere alone and let it out. Be angry or sad or whatever.
5. A good chick flick. For me usually a funny show is the best, but sometimes a dramatic, sad movie is more what you need. Either way, a movie or a TV show will let you think about someone else’s problems instead of yours.

6. The next day, get ready. You’ll be so tempted to wake up and then stay in bed. The night before was the time to be sad and wear sweats. Today, you get ready!
7. Within the first three days, you go out and do something fun with your friends. Go to a dance, go to dinner, get all dolled up and GET OUT there! You may not feel like it, but I promise it’ll be a good thing.
8. Don’t text him. Don’t call him. If the break up is for real, don’t make it worse by begging to be taken back or something. Just be strong! You are fine, life is good and it’ll only get better.
9. Try not to rebound. I’m guilty of this…and I promise it ends up not being good. Just flirt with everyone and go on dates but try not to randomly kiss the first guy you see. It’s a bad decision!
10. Be happy! So maybe this isn’t the most ideal situation, but you’re ok. You are special and wonderful and good things are coming. It’s ok to be mad or upset, as long as most of the time you try to be happy!

Don’t worry kids, my life is good. This post is merely to help my fellow women!

Happy Sunday everyone:)