*Onomatopoeia of Christmas Bells*

The Holiday season is upon us Fighting Illini fans, and I know what you’re thinking! How can I incorporate Illinois into every waking minute of this cheery time of year?

Well, fear not because I’m here to give you the top five ways to have a very merry Illinimas… or Illinnauka… or Illanza.

5. Make Lovie Smith Holiday Cookies

Ah, what’s that smell? Is it the future?

No, it’s the sweet sensation of a Lovie Smith shaped holiday cookie. These delectable treats are easy to make and fun to serve! All your Illini friends will be excited to finally have a taste of victory (the serving size is two cookies).

Anyone get that joke?

4. Sing your favorite song! All I want for Illinimas is…

...a winning season in Illinois football and basketball and to not be at the bottom of the Big Ten, and to not be worse than Rutgers in any sports, and I guess volleyball could do well again. I also wouldn’t mind if Isaiah Martinez would win another National Championship. Oh, a D1 hockey program, and #Golfschool to be trending all year long and Josh Whitman to take me on a date and Dan Hartleb to take me on a date and Nancy Fahey to take me on a date… I just want a date.

I guess you can always sing this one too.

3. Spin the Illini dreidel!

Grab your orange and blue dreidel and bet all your winnings on the Illini! Remember the football team covered against Ohio State and Wisconsin this season, and that’s good enough for us!

2. Watch your favorite Holiday movie

By holiday movie, of course, we mean the Marching Illini’s performance at the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! You know, the one where they brought in the big jolly fellow himself, Santa Claus!

1. Spend time with your family!

We both know the most important part of the holiday season is spending time with your loved ones. Huddle up by the TV and fantasize about the day Illinois football will be in a bowl game. Don’t forget, when your Hoosier cousin walks into the room and tries to tell you how their athletic program is better than Illinois’, just have Tyler Griffey’s buzzer beater that upset a No. 1 Indiana team in 2013 at the ready.

WHAT A GAME! WHAT A GAME!

Happy holidays from all of us here at The Champaign Room!