Coming back from a Thanksgiving break full of turkey, stuffing, too much family time, and football, is my personal worst time of year. You get a taste of the freedom that winter break will bring, but between you and the magical month of sleeping late and not having classes are those horrendous three weeks of finals. To give us all something to look forward to (or give us a break from studying in the unholy Library Atrium) I have made a list of six holiday events around the area that will get us ready once again for turkey, stuffing, too much family time, and snowball fights.

-Miracle on 34th Street: This Hampden neighborhood tradition is currently in its 62nd year. Between Keswich Road and Chestnut Ave, the houses are decorated so over-the-top they look as if Christmas has exploded. Complete with vendors selling hot chocolate, this event is a lot of fun. Not only does it have the best people-watching in the area (you'll lose count of all the tacky Christmas attire) but also you can go into the actual houses to see how the insides are decorated. Not even to mention meeting the quirky people who live in the lit-up houses. This event runs until December 31, and more information can be found at www.chritsmasstreet.com.

-A Christmas Carol, The Musical: Recreating the Christmas classic is the Musical Artists Theatre. The city paper describes this event as a "musical version of yuletide's most beloved classic" and returns with "a blend of beautiful music, lavish scenery, authentic costumes and theatrical magic." The musical is playing from December 11 to the 18 and is at the Riverside Stage at Salem Lutheran Church located at 1530 Battery Ave. Tickets are steep for college kids at $12 but is sure to get you in the holiday spirit and bets the creepy Jim Carrey version coming to the cinema.

- Brookside Gardens "Garden of Lights": Not to be ridiculously cheesy, but ever since I was a little kid I adored this garden. It is in Wheaton, MD so it is a bit of a drive, but the garden lit by 940,000 lights is totally worth it. During the winter months nothing is in bloom, but everything including the fountains, flowers, even a rainstorm, is recreated in lights. There is also a greenhouse with toy trains circling the trees, and an indoor café where you can get spiced apple cider. The cost is $15 per car so make sure to shove as many people in a car as possible for a cheap way to enjoy the show. The "Garden of Lights" has a hotline at 301-962-1453 for any questions, and the last car is permitted at 8:30 p.m.

- Mama Doni and the Mama Doni Band: This band is described as performing "funky music with a Jewish twist," with titles like "Chanukah fever," They are performing at the Tikvat Israel Congregation on 2200 Baltimore Road in Rockville. The music is a bit cheesy, but good for kids, or to have a laugh with the comedic lyrics and dance-along Chanukah songs. Tickets are $10.

- 2009 Holiday Pops Concert: This holiday concert, put on by the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra with the Boston Brass, and directed by José-Luis Novo, was acclaimed as the "most distinguished performing arts organization in Maryland's capital city" playing holiday classics. The concert takes place on December 18 at 8:00 p.m. at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis. Student tickets are only $10, and as a bonus, going will make you feel sophisticated.

- Kwanzaa Family Day: The City Paper describes this event as having "hands-on art-making activities, a costume stop, special family performances, and a chance to learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa." The event is free, and even though it will probably be crawling with children, making an art project can cure some of the stress studying for finals can cause. The event is Sunday the 20th of December from 1-5 in the afternoon at the Baltimore Museum of Art.