Lace up your boots, put on your gloves and zip up your coat. Christmas is slowly, but surely, approaching.

Your last few weeks on campus will most likely be spent watching your favorite Christmas movies, drinking warm drinks, attending holiday-themed parties and, unfortunately, stressing over that dreadful final exam schedule.

Take a break from the papers, presentations and whatever else your professors decide to assign at the end of the semester and have a drink — a drink inspired by “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

“The 12 Days of Christmas” is a cumulative carol that was first published in 1780. What’s a better way of modernizing the old holiday carol than creating 12 drinks to get you through your stressful final exam schedule?

Drink responsibly, but more importantly, have fun. The semester is almost over.

1. Partridge in a Pear Tree: Gin and Tonic with Pear

2 oz. of gin

tonic water

1/2 a pear, cubed

This is the perfect drink to sip on while watching a movie. Cube half of a pear into a glass, pour two shots of gin and top it off with tonic water. Garnish with a slice of pear, and enjoy.

2. Turtle Doves: Girl Scout Cookie Shot

1 oz. Bailey’s Irish Creme

1 oz. Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur

1 oz. Creme de Menthe, green

This might be called a “shot,” but it’s almost a drink. Either way, it’s delicious. Pour one shot of Bailey’s, one shot of Kahlúa and one shot of mint creme into a glass. You may have the urge to make another because it’s so good — go for it. If you want to get fancy, crumble a cookie and put it on the rim of the glass. Garnish with a candy cane.

3. French Hens: Eggnog and Rum

2 oz. Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum

Eggnog

Nothing says “Christmas” more than eggnog. Adding two shots of rum will make it even better. Make it great by adding whipped topping and cinnamon.

4. Colly Birds: Manhattan

3/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth

2.5 oz. Bourbon Whiskey

1 oz. Grenadine

Sip on one of these during a gift exchange and you may smile more than usual. A few shots of whiskey will warm you up just fine. Garnish with maraschino cherries.

5. Golden Rings: Goldschlager Shot

1 oz. Goldschlager

One word: yum. This shot is worth the price.

6. Geese-A-Laying: Grey Goose Shot

1 oz. Grey Goose

If you’re trying to loosen up, this is the perfect shot. Change it up by adding a peppermint stick to it.

7. Swans-A-Swimming: Sangria

Arbor Mist Wine Sangria Zinfandel

This one is for the wine lovers. Cube your favorite fruit up and enjoy by soaking it in a glass of sangria. It’s nutritious, right?

8. Maids-A-Milking: White Russian

2 oz. Regular Vodka

1 oz. Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur

Light Creme

You can never go wrong with a White Russian. Add two shots of vodka to a shot of Kahlua and dilute with a dash of creme.

9. Ladies Dancing: Cosmopolitan

1.5 oz. Regular Vodka

3/4 oz. Triple Sec

3/4 oz. Cranberry Juice

1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

This one is for the “Sex and the City” lovers. Mix two shots of vodka, a shot of Triple Sec, cranberry and lime juice. Pour into a cocktail glass and enjoy while watching your favorite episodes.

10. Lords-A-Leaping: Chicago Apple Cider

1 oz. Canadian Mist Whiskey

1/4 oz. Goldschlager Cinnamon Schnapps

Apple Juice

This Chicago classic is too good. Combine a shot of whiskey to half of a shot of Goldschlager and mix with apple juice.

11. Pipers Piping: Mimosa

3 oz. Orange Juice

Champagne

This drink says “brunch.” Invite a few friends over, exchange some gifts and sip on a few of these. Just remember, the more champagne used the better.

12. Drummers Drumming: Hurricane

1 oz. Regular Vodka

1 oz. Gin

3 oz. Bacardi 151 Rum

1 oz. Amaretto Sour

1 oz. Triple Sec

4 oz. Grapefruit juice

3 oz. Pineapple juice

1/4 oz. Grenadine

Careful, this will make your head pound. Add one shot of vodka, one shot of gin, three shots of 151 Rum and one shot of Triple Sec into a large glass. Dilute it with Amaretto Sour, grapefruit juice, pineapple juice and Grenadine.

David is a senior in LAS. He can be reached at [email protected].