Running to the tree to leave the cookies for Santa, going to bed early and waking up to see the tree filled with presents. Does this sound familiar? Mostly all of us had this experience when we were kids but what about now?

Once I found out Santa was not real, everything went downhill from there, starting with no more surprises, no more Christmas list or waiting for the big Toy's R Us catalog.

Christmas is still my favorite celebration but we have to admit things have changed.

1. No more big "Christmas lists"

But on the bright side you are not on Santa's naught list anymore which means you don't need to worry about getting coal.

2. Trying to go to bed early so you can wake up and see the presents faster.

Now, it doesn't even matter what time you wake up you might get a bigger surprise, you have nothing.

3. Going to get the Christmas tree with the family

This was a big thing back in the day, making the line and then putting the tree on the top of the car. After that, the decoration started and the Christmas music was blowing the stereos.

Now, what is a tree?

4. Differences in trees

Tree before

Tree now

5. As a kid you hated receiving money and clothes. TOYS were the big thing.

As an adult give me the MULA I'm broke. Of course, we need clothes can't you tell I've been using this same T-Shirt for months now?

6. The picture with Santa was always a yearly thing. You dressed up and went to the mall and took a family picture with him.

When I found out he was not real that they we were going to take a picture with him and I screamed "You are fake". You can imagine that was my last picture of my life.

The Christmas spirit I feel now is still as fulfilling as when I was a kid. I can even admit it's more, I don't need gifts, I don't need all the decorations. The fact that I can spend time with the most important people in my life is all I need. I get to go home for three weeks and enjoy my family, this is the moment I always wait in my college year. When you grow up and realize that Christmas is not about gifts anymore then you truly found the meaning of this holiday.

PS: We got only 36 days to go!