December is the time of year to break out our most festive attire, indulge in seasonal treats, and celebrate our favorite holiday pastimes. The month is also the countdown to the finale of the calendar year and a time to look back at your 2015 bucket lists.

We wanted to share a few of ours and make sure you added these to your lists (if you haven’t already).

WARM UP FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Whether it’s hot cocoa or a peppermint latte, nothing gets us in the holiday spirit like sipping from a warm mug filled with something that tastes like it was brewed by an elf from the North Pole.

photo via the daily meal
OUR PICK: Hot Chocolate at Small World Coffee—Princeton, NJ

 

RUN FOR A (SANTA) CAUSE

What better way to work off those holiday sweets than running a race for charity. New Jersey is a hub of fun holiday runs, from classic Jingle Bell 5Ks to Ugly Sweater runs, gather up your crew and get your costumes together—dressing up isn’t just for Halloween.

Holiday Run
photo by yeahletsgo
OUR PICK:  Mercerville Mistletoe Run—Mercerville, NJ

 

LIGHTEN UP

If you’re anything like us, you can’t help but get a little twinkly-eyed this time of year. Appreciate the best and brightest yard decor of the year and take a stroll (or drive) through a festive light display.

christmas-lights-tumblr-k9pjpdqg
photo via theotherspot
OUR PICK: Drive-though Christmas Light Tour at Skylands Stadium—Augusta, NJ

 

BRING YOUR OWN CHEER

You bring the wine, we’ll bring the ride. New Jersey has a bounty of BYO restaurants that allow you to bring you own favorite bottle, with no corkage fee. Now is the perfect time to bring out a special bottle for an end of the year night out on the town.

In this Thursday, June 3, 2010 photo, a server pours from a magnum of BOND Estates Vecina wine during a candlelight dinner for Napa Valley auction bidders at the BOND Estates winery in Oakville, Calif. The dinner was part of the 30th annual Auction Napa Valley which runs through Sunday. Proceeds of the auction raise funds for healthcare, housing and youth services non-profits. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

OUR PICK: Farm-to-table fare at Via45—Red Bank, NJ

 

SHOP LIKE A LOCAL

Peruse the shops and kiosks in the many holiday pop-up shops that feature the best of local artists, jewelry makers, clothing designers, and artisanal food purveyors and find unique gifts for everyone on your list—all while supporting your local business owners.

photo via facebook
OUR PICK: Asbury Park Bazaar Holiday Pop-Up Market—Asbury Park, NJ

Follow us on Twitter at @Uber_NJ to see what else we’re up to this season.