Oh Christmas morning. There's excitement, joy, family and friends. So much goes on! There's so many emotions that fly, so many gifts opened, and so many expectations from kids and adults alike. Adults walk in with their coffee in hand and circle around their eager children with bright eyes who can hardly contain themselves. The magic begins when the adults give the go and presents are handed out to their newfound owners. Many faces are made by these families and friends. I feel as though faces made from the U.S. version of "The Office" are the best ways to describe them.
1. The "Genuine Gratitude"
It's always fun getting something you didn't know you needed/wanted for Christmas. Whether it's a new pair of jeans or a book you've heard about but didn't go out to buy for yourself, it's always good to show thanks to those little things on Christmas morning.
2. The "My Siblings Were With Mom When She Bought This And They Couldn't Keep Their Mouths Shut"
If you grew up with siblings, you'll recognize this right away. There's always the weak link sibling who can't keep a secret to save their lives. And if mom took them Christmas shopping, you hit the jackpot. All you have to do is get them far away from everyone else and pry away. They always crack. Best case scenario, you don't even have to question them, they'll just tell you. Then on Christmas morning, when you open it, you have to pretend like you and your sibling are innocent.
3. The "Once In A Lifetime Gift"
This reaction usually only happens once in someones life (duh) and you'll know it when it happens. This is usually getting a teenager a car, or getting the kids Disney World tickets or getting the whole family a new dog. For me, it was getting my cat when I was in the second grade.
4. The "Okay Kids, Open It Together!"
When your parents put you and your siblings name on the same present and you ask "Who opens it?" You loathe the fact that you have to "open it together" and your dreading having to share it. It's the first step to fighting over who gets it first and realizing that there's no way you can say it's yours.
5. The "I Wanted That"
The face you make when you have to be happy for someone because they got a really cool gift but you remember putting it on your Christmas list.
6. The "Don't Tell Your Mom"
We all have gotten pulled aside by an uncle, dad, grandfather or other family member who is sincerely the coolest in the family. They hand you a present, sometimes wrapped but most the time not, that you'd be so dead if your parents knew you had. The classic example is the gun from "The Christmas Story."
7. The "Oh wow!....Thanks!...."
We all love our grandmas. But we all know when she buys us that itchy sweater in the ugliest color possible we can't hurt her feelings. Protect grandma at all costs and tell her you love it and wear it for the day that she visits. Otherwise, stick that thing so far in the back of your dresser that it's sucked into the depths of hell for a year until she returns.
8. The "I Bought The Best Gift Ever"
When you open the perfect gift and look at mom or dad and they give you this face. They know they're the coolest parent. They know you're super happy. And all they can do is give you the silent "You're welcome."
9. The "Money In A Card"
When you're a teenager or college student, distant relatives who don't know you at all and just send a card in the mail with lots of money in them, are a true Christmas blessing. It's hard to contain your joy knowing this can go towards that gift you were thinking about buying yourself this year.
At the end of the day, we all love our families and friends for going out of their ways and getting us gifts and keeping us in their thoughts. There's no better time than Christmas to spend with our loved ones knowing that we can all get together and enjoy each others company. My experiences with my family on Christmas have taught me to be appreciative and to love what you get no matter what because there's always someones thought of loving you behind the actions of buying and wrapping a simple present for you. As the day of Christmas approaches I encourage you all to have fun, be safe and enjoy what this month has to offer.
