In an effort to be really good this year, we have waited until now to share our top holiday music picks with you even though we’ve been openly listening to them since December 1 (and secretly since mid November). Here are our top eight holiday music picks: 1. Christmas by Michael Buble. His soothing voice singing you holiday songs is just what you need this and every year. Listen to if: You are taking a bubble bath, enjoying a warm beverage next to the tree, or baking holiday treats with your mom. 2. A Very She & Him Christmas by She & Him. This is actress Zooey Deschanel’s band, and its holiday album is classic meets hipster. You really should at least try this to see if it’s up your alley. Start with the band’s rendition of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” Listen to if: You live in the city but wear flannels, own at least two fedoras, and wear non-prescription glasses. Also if you like the show New Girl or tried out “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” and enjoyed it. 3. Christmas in the Sand by Colbie Caillat. Imagine the cute catchiness of “Bubbly” brought to holiday music. It’s a good combination. Listen to if: You live in a place where the weather outside never gets frightful. Also if you just remembered and immediately played “Bubbly” and “Realize.” 4. Rob’s Christmas by Rob Thomas. If you’re on Spotify, this is a great playlist of holiday songs put together by Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20. It’s got some poppy bands you probably haven’t heard of putting their spin on songs you’ve definitely heard of and some rock legends like Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, and John Lennon. Listen to if: You are a little too edgy for the holiday songs that are on repeat in every department store right now. Also if you are with your dad and want to make up for all the times you’ve made the poor guy listen to Selena Gomez in the car. 5. All Is Bright. If you listen to your music on Amazon, try this holiday playlist. It’s more than 40 songs of holiday cheer to serve as the soundtrack of your festivities. Listen to if: You are in the car on your way to Grandma’s house for the family holiday get-together. 6. Elf (Original Soundtrack). This is hands down the most spirited holiday music out there. Listen to if: This doesn’t make you want to throw a tightly-packed snowball at him: source 7. Sounds of the Season: The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection. Did you know Taylor Swift has a holiday album? She does. It’s a little country. It’s a little sad. It’s original Taylor Swift. Listen to if: You are a little down this year because of a move or breakup or just growing up and you miss the way things used to be but also can’t help but be happy at the same time because you love the holidays. Also if you really like Taylor Swift and want to hear her excellent rendition of “Santa Baby.” 8. Your favorite singer or band. They probably have a holiday album, and you will probably enjoy it. If your favorite band does not have a holiday album, it might at least have a holiday song or two out, so do some quick Google research. If you still cannot find anything holiday-ish from your favorite singer or band, try your second favorite. One of your top five is bound to have made a holiday album. Listen to if: You want to get into the holiday spirit, but you just don’t like holiday music. Also if you are just really obsessed with your favorite singer or band.What’s on your holiday playlists?
Category:
Lifestyle
As if the first time wasn’t amazing enough.
You may have seen our previous post of a viral video of a
cheerleader making a basketball half-court trick shot. The incredible cheerleader that wowed the crowd at the William Carey
basketball game was Ashlee Arnau. The
jaw-dropping stunt seemed impossible to repeat.However, a high school cheerleader has done just that. In nearby city Brooklyn, Mississippi, a Forrest County Agricultural High School cheerleader performed the very same shot. While lacking the audience and
cheer uniform Ashlee had, it was completed with the same amazing finesse.Watch the video below to see the shot!
What amazing cheerleading stunts or tricks have you done or seen before? Share with us and leave a comment below!Once you’re involved in cheerleading, you’re most likely in it for life. However, there are some things that cheerleading entails that can cause you some problems along the way‚ problems only cheerleaders would know! See if any of these unfortunate cheer predicaments ring a bell:
1. O.B.D.
O.B.D. (also known as, Obsessive Bow Disorder), when the amount of bows you own is SHOCKING to everyone else, but to you, you need more! You have a bow for every occasion, for every team you have ever been on, and some just for fun. You wear bows on and off the field, and yes, you may have a bit of a problem‚ but who cares! Bows are so cute and fun to wear. Plus, they look amazing lined up on your bedroom wall and they remind you of how far you have come since starting cheerleading.
2. Hair drama.
[Source: Quickmeme.com]
It is all about getting that perfect poof! No matter how hard you try and how many YouTube videos you watch, you cannot get the dang poof to be just perfect. You tease, you spray, you bobby pin the heck out of it, and still one side looks off, another side somehow deflated, and you cannot get your bow to look right. You finally get it halfway decent and after your routine, it just looks like a big blobby mess of hair. When you get home, you start pulling out an impressive amount of bobby pins from your hair that would rival Mary Poppins’ never-ending purse! Then, finally, when you think you are done, it takes three rounds of heavy-duty conditioner to get all the teasing and hairspray out. In the end, you are still happy because for two minutes of your life, you had perfect cheer hair!
3. The Practice Blues.
[Source: Giphy]
Cheerleading requires a lot of practice, and sometimes, those practices‚ let’s face it‚ suck. Conditioning day is the absolute worst‚ you did not sign up for cheerleading to run! Honestly, who really wants to run? You joined cheer to cheer, and do crazy flips in the air. Conditioning may suck, but nothing is worse than getting your stunt team switched. You bonded with your stunt team and you trust them. Now, you have an entirely new group that you have to get to know and build that trust with‚ all while you soar through the air, hoping they don’t drop you. Lastly, all cheerleaders like to practice at home or show off their skills; this can turn into an epic fail rather quickly. You may fall or break the chair you are using, or accidentally kick your little sibling or dog in the face. But, hey, it happens, and they shouldn’t have been there anyway, right?
4. Field and competition mishaps.
[Source: Giphy]
Nothing is worse than a mishap during a competition, because you might feel like you let the whole team down. Sometimes, you don’t land the stunt or you do the wrong step, and you just pray the judges didn’t see it and move on. Sometimes, it is just not your day and things don’t work out. That is okay: you just try your best, and hopefully, next time you will nail it! When cheering on the sidelines at a basketball or a football game, chances are, you have been hit by a ball or have been run over by a player at some point. It is just part of a day in the life of a cheerleader! You are in the zone, cheering you heart out, and all of a sudden, a wide receiver takes you down (and with all hope, he is a cute one).
5. Stereotypes.
[Source: Giphy]
The worst part of being a cheerleader is dealing with the stereotypes. Stereotypes exist, ranging from “all cheerleaders are popular’, or “uneducated’, or “ditsy’, and that “boys don’t cheer’. Just being cheerleaders does not guarantee popularity: cheerleaders can be popular because they are involved in activities in school, and are outgoing and spirited. Cheerleaders are not stupid; school require cheerleaders to maintain at least a ÔøΩÔøΩÔøΩB’ average to be part of the team. Some professional cheerleaders are working towards degrees, or have degrees from colleges including Harvard, Florida State, and Boston College. Cheerleading is a great way to gain scholarships for college. Cheerleading is a female-dominated sport, yet times have changed and having men involved in cheer is gaining popularity. Having men on your team‚ especially for stunting‚ helps your team reach an entire new level! They are able to increase the height and difficulty of a stunt.
What are more problems that only cheerleaders would understand? Share your story in the comments!
It’s Monday and most people’s least favorite day of the week. In the
cheerleading spirit, we present a spirited video with an “aww” moment at the end.At Holy Cross College, the mascot, Basil the St. Bernard, scores an incredible half-court shot on the basketball court, cheered on by the cheerleaders
waving their pom poms. But the excitement doesn’t end there. Because Basil made the incredibly difficult shot, one student in the audience won a grand prize of free text books for a semester (and if you’re familiar with college text books, you know they come with a hefty price tag)!Check the video out:
We think this would make a great halftime performance for basketball cheerleaders in high school or college! Work with your mascot to create different shot challenges. If certain shots are made, someone in the audience could win a prize. Can you think of another idea? Share below!
News Source:
PeopleThe most significant part of many cheerleaders’ summer breaks is cheer camp. You wait all year for it, and summer means it’s finally here! We covered everything you need to know about cheer camp on the blog last month, from what to expect to how to pack. Make sure you know the essentials before you go:
- Cheer camp is time spent with your cheer friends and dedicated to becoming better cheerleaders. It doesn’t get much better than that! If it’s your first time going to cheer camp though, you might be feeling nerves along with excitement. That comes with any new experience, but once you know what to expect, you’ll feel a lot more comfortable. Here are four things to expect at cheer camp that you might not have thought of yet.
- Cheer camp is a lot of fun, but it’s also a great opportunity to become a better cheerleader. You will have the time and instruction you need to master old skills and learn new ones, all while bonding with your team and preparing for a great season. These six tips will help you get the most out of cheer camp.
- As exciting as cheer camp is, you have to come prepared in order to have the best experience possible! One of the most important ways to be prepared is to make sure you pack all the essentials. Consult this list when packing so you don’t forget anything important.
- Cheer camp is a time to improve your cheerleading skills, but one of the most important things you’ll do at camp is get to know your teammates better. What good are amazing stunts if you can’t work together? Bonding at camp will make your season more successful, and a lot more fun! Here are a few ideas to help you get to know your teammates at cheer camp.
What are you looking forward to the most about cheer camp?
It’s that time of year again. When weekends are consumed of curling irons, hairspray,
oversized bows, and that beautiful blue mat! Yes, competition season is in full swing and coaches, cheerleaders, and parents have a lot going on. Between studying for finals or midterms, performing at basketball games, and making sure your competition routine is fun and exciting, competition season can be a very stressful time of year.Having a flawless routine, a fun day, and wonderful memories is all anyone is hoping for. But there is a lot of work that leads up to that two and a half minutes on the floor. Many months of hard work and dedication lead to just one performance and a
few judges’ final decisions. Here are some tips on making sure your day runs smoothly and all you have to do is leave the results up to the judges:The Week Of
Practice, practice, practice. You should have two to three practices the week of a big competition. Practice hard and use your time wisely! This week chatter needs to be to a minimum. Work is your number one priority! The last practice before competition should be your shortest of the week. Run through the routine three times and make sure the entire team is on the same page as far as pre-performance warm ups. How many mats are you able to practice on and what will you warm up on at each mat? Will you be able to use music? Find this all out and share with the team.
Pack up. Make sure
your uniform is cleaned and all pieces of your uniform are together in your bag! Don’t wait until the morning of to find the only clean pair of cheer socks you have left or
make sure your shoes are white. Start washing your uniform on Monday. That way it is dry and ready to be packed up Friday night.The Night Before
Eat Healthy. Don’t eat too much the night before at your pasta party. Instead, eat a normal sized portion and include some veggies or a fresh salad with it. Ditch the soda and stick to water. The morning of, have a healthy breakfast and bring along a piece of fruit or granola bar so you don’t eat something less healthy out of the snack bar.
Get a good night’s sleep. Go to bed early. Avoid team sleepovers or going out late with your friends. You can do that to celebrate your win. Pop in your favorite Bring It On movie and relax. Go over your routine a few times in your head and then don’t think about it anymore. Let your muscle memory take control. Overthinking is never good for anyone.
The Day Of
Have fun and perform your butt off! You are there to do what you love to do: perform! Stick with your team and listen closely to your coach’s direction. Smile at the other teams and wish everyone luck. Teams remember each other when they make friends, not enemies. Watch everyone’s routines and, most importantly, have fun!Cheerleaders and coaches may be wary of having siblings on the same cheer squad because of potential conflicts, but there are actually many advantages having siblings as teammates.
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Preview
Advantages
The close-knit relationships siblings share serve as a foundation for having a supportive and trustworthy team member, and improving a cheer squad’s unity. Check out these 4 awesome advantages!Leading Siblings
Coaching or being captain of a cheerleading squad that includes siblings might leave you nervously worrying about having to deal with sibling rivalries and family issues, but fear not” “having siblings on the same team can prove advantageous if you know how to handle the situation!Cheering With Siblings
Being on a team with two people from the same family can be a challenge, but it can also bring a great dynamic and advantage to a cheerleading squad.Raising Teammates
Being a parent to siblings that are on the same cheerleading squad can be a challenge, but can also build a life-long family bond! Here are some things to encourage, and discourage, from your kids when they are on the same cheerleading team.Download your FREE copy of the guide now to access all the tips!
Hello readers! Just a friendly reminder that we want you to enter to be our Reader of the Month so that we can send you some free cheerleading apparel and gear!
Not only that, but each month’s winner will also be featured on the blog with an article that is all about them.
We are now accepting entries for March’s Reader of the Month! Check out this
Chasse prize package that our February Reader of the Month, Karen, won, and then enter the contest yourself through our partner’s Facebook pages.How To Enter:
1.) Visit the Reader of the Month tab on any of our partner’s Facebook pages:
Omni Cheer,
Chasse Cheer,
Glitterbug Cosmetics or
Campus Teamwear.
2.) If you aren’t already a fan, “like’ the page to reveal the entry form.
3.) Fill out the entry form and include a picture of yourself (optional).
4.) Agree to the rules and terms of the promotion.
5.) Submit your entry!Winners will be notified by email, their prize will be shipped and their blog will run during the month that they win! Bam! It’s that easy!
Check out the
contest FAQs here.Being the parent of a cheerleader whose team has just replaced its coach or captain mid-season can be stressful for parents, too. If you
keep your calm as a parent, it is more likely your athlete will keep their calm too. Adjusting to change doesn’t have to disrupt the season’s
routine. If you find your cheerleader in this situation, use these tips to help carry you through the change, and ultimately make it easier for your cheerleader to adjust.Attend Meetings: If the
new captain or coach holds a meeting for the
cheerleading squad and invites parents – attend! This is where they will explain their goals and expectations for the rest of the season. By being active and present, you will gain a better understanding of how the new leader will guide the squad, as well be informed about what changes will be occurring. That way, you won’t be completely surprised by anything, and you’ll be able to focus on supporting your cheerleader. In addition, the meeting would give you a chance to
ask questions and voice concerns. Not only will you get answers, but you’ll also get to see how the new addition
presents themself as a leader.Have a Regular Check-Up: Make it a point to meet with the new leader, or at least with your cheerleader, on a regular basis. Be sure to make it clear that your intention is not to control anyone’s plans or goals, but that you are there to understand the progress of goals and what is going on in the squad. Done properly, your involvement and the support you are showing the team will be appreciated.
Be Willing: If the new leader needs your help, be ready to act! You are there not only to support your child, but also the entire
cheerleading squad. The new leader may feel overwhelmed by the new responsibilities. You could help take some weight off of their shoulders so they can focus on leading the squad and guiding the team in the right direction. The
team unity found in a cheerleading squad is crucial to its performance and survival, and assisting the new captain or coach with what they need will aid the success of the squad.
Talk to Your Child: By communicating with your child about the new changes, you can understand how your child is handling it and address any of their concerns. If the change is causing stress for your child, you can show your support by listening and walking alongside her to overcome the situation. She can also provide updates as to how the squad is functioning after implementation of the new leader to help you understand what is working and what needs to be worked on.It’s that time of year again! As you go around spreading Christmas cheer, you may also want to spread Christmas cheer gear with your loved ones. If you’re shopping for the cheerleader in your family, here are our top picks for under $25 this holiday season:
1. The Jumbo Bow
Bows are totally trending this year‚ and the bigger the better! With sequin to rhinestone to chevron to disco, there’s so many to choose from and any cheerleader knows that you can never have too many. Luckily, jumbo performance bows won’t break you bank, ranging from $3.95-$7.95.
2. The Glitter Backpack
Cheerleaders love to stand out in the crowd, so help them do so in school with the Chasse Glitter Backpack ($24.95). With several colors to choose from, this bag fits a cheerleader’s every school need and a ring on the side for keychains.3. The Mini Bow Keychain
Speaking of keychains and bows, the Mini Bow Keychain ($2.95) is a great way for cheerleaders to put a bit of their personalities on their school bags AND stay trendy at the same time.
4. The VIP Jacket
“Tis the season, for Christmas and cold weather! Keep the cheerleaders in your life warm and cozy with the Chasse Performance VIP Jacket ($22.95).
5. The Knee-High Cheer Socks
What goes better with jackets and cold temperatures than big comfy socks? Knee-high cheer socks ($4.25) are the way to go, especially since they help show cheerleader pride from bow to toe.
6. The Best Glitter Makeup
If you’re not a cheerleader, you may not know that the holiday season coincides with cheer competition season; that includes a lot of fancy uniforms, hairdos, and style. Glitter makeup is top on the list of competition must-haves, so give the gift of glitter and glam for $3.50.
7. The Bow Pro
Like I said, bows are “in’ this year and most cheerleaders have accumulated quite a large amount of them. Instead of them pinning them to their walls to keep them nice, help them organize their collection with the Chasse Bow Pro ($4.95). The Bow Pro holds up to ten jumbo performance bows, but be warned: a cheerleader may need more than one!
8. The Clear Rain Jacket
Cheerleading is all about the uniform, so when a storm rolls in, covering up can be difficult. In case of severe weather, give your sideline cheerleader a Chasse Clear Rain Jacket ($7.95)‚ complete with a hood to save the hair!
9. The Glitter Makeup Bag
Just as much as bows are trending, so are glitter accessories! Having all the cheerleading essentials in one place on the go is a necessity for the traveling cheerleader, so try the Chasse Glitter Makeup Bag for $6.95.
10. The C-Fit Practice Wear Line
Practice, practice, practice‚ that’s all a dedicated cheerleader thinks about! Products with C-dri moisture-managing fabric help cheerleaders reach their practice goals without limiting them in the process. Inexpensive options include
Chasse Performance C-Fit Practice tanks, shorts, and sports bras starting at $10.95.