She’s made this list, so check it twice

They’re telling me it’s Christmas time, but I’m not listening. While I find myself drinking… They’re telling me it’s Christmas time, but I’m not listening. While I find myself drinking Starbucks’ gingerbread lattes like espresso beans are going to drop off the face of the planet, I’ve been ignoring every “’tis the season” advertisement and every snowflake that’s hit the ground.

Maybe it’s because I haven’t listened to my Christina Aguilera My Kind of Christmas CD (My dirty little secrets: I love “O Holy Night” and “This Christmas”) or Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” that I usually hear blaring in every retail store. Either way, it’s Christmas and I want the spirit!

This is the time of year when anything remotely Christmas-y should catch my eye. There isn’t another time when everyone will obsess over wearing red and green and actually watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” – which, by the way, I am proud to say that I watch directly after every Thanksgiving meal.

Anyway, if you’ve been suffering from the Christmas blues because of finals and stress, here are a few Christmas-y things that’ll have you sitting in Santa’s lap and kissing under the mistletoe with no regrets.

Cargo Glossy Greeting Cards (Only at www.sephora.com; $20 for a set of 10)

Now this, I must say, is the cutest greeting card known to man. It’s a small Christmas card with fruity lip gloss. Each colorful greeting card has a small lip-gloss bubble filled with Cargo’s Bora Bora lip gloss.

It’s a card and a gift all in one: perfect for the beauty junkie in your life. And, as if that wasn’t enough, Cargo donates 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of its glossy greeting cards to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For Christmas 2005, Cargo cards are the gifts that keep on giving.

Perfect Christmas Small Scented Candle (Bath and Body Works, $10)

This tiny candle captures the essence of Christmas like you wouldn’t believe.

According to Bath and Body Works, the spice candle is the perfect blend of red cinnamon, spiced orange peel, sweet vanilla cream and the special warmth of the Christmas spirit.

So even if you don’t get everything you want for Christmas (I stopped making a Christmas list years ago – I refuse to be disappointed), at least you’ll have a perfect Christmas candle that burns for 20 hours.

Bath and Body Works also has a Perfect Christmas glass candle ornament for your tree for $12.50. But make sure to keep an eye on it: Let’s not start forest fires in our own homes!

Xela Aroma Sticks in Candy Cane (www.xelaaromasticks.com, $30)

OK, so you’ve tried the candle, but you want something with a little more “umph.” You may want to purchase Xela’s candy cane stick. Wait, wait, wait – before you whine and complain about the price of the aroma stick, be advised that this isn’t your run-of-the-mill room fragrance.

Let me explain: It’s so easy – all you have to do is stick the reeds inside the bottle, allowing for each end to stick out. And voila! Your room instantly transforms into a winter wonderland. The candy sticks are filled with pores that draw the oil out, which then evaporates into the air.

I like it because the scent is more subtle than those of candles (except for the Perfect Christmas candle) and room sprays – and best of all, it burns for up to six months.

Chiffon Trim Silk Dress (Arden B, $118)

So you may not be in the mood for a Christmas party, but once you try on this dress you won’t be sorry. This year, Arden B has a mid-length silk dress with chiffon silk trim shoulder straps and beaded rhinestones.

Not only does it come in chartreuse, blue and black, but its back has a colored beaded applique and a sheer silk-drape tail. It’s attention-grabbing without being too festive, and you can even wear it straight through the New Year.

Deena wishes you and your family a warm and safe holiday season and will be accepting any form of holiday gifts throughout the season. E-mail her at dmc18@pitt.edu for her contact information. Merry Christmas!