Throughout my entire twenty year old life, I have always been asked the question, "What is Christmas morning like as an only child?" and I have never quite been sure how to answer it because I don't know any different. However, after hearing numerous testimonies from all of the people I know with siblings, I can now notice some clear differences.

The multiple-month-long build-up of Santa coming to town and the Christmas list writing process was an independent time of year I looked forward to rather than something to share with siblings. I would write my Christmas list at the kitchen table with my parents and carefully think of each item I wanted, making sure that I didn't leave anything out because it was not like someone else in the house would be getting the same kind of toy. As an only child, Santa was a known and expected part of Christmas but was mostly discussed at school or when my parents would say, "Santa's coming!" I was excited for Christmas each year. I was always around my parents and observing their every move, curious and always asking questions. I picked up on little things like my parents going out during the day together to the mall for what I now know was Christmas shopping, and they would go into the attic sometimes (to hide presents) when they didn't really utilize the attic throughout the year.

On Christmas morning I would wake up smiling and excited, knowing that I had to wait until at least 7 to wake my parents! I would run into my parents' room and shake them out of bed and run downstairs! My mom insisted I wait until she made her coffee, and there I would sit on the floor and open my presents. My parents' gifts were always in a different section and we never used any gift tags. It was an experience we shared, and still share as a family. I could not imagine opening gifts with anyone else but them! It's often that I receive comments from people saying, "I can't imagine opening gifts alone! It must be lonely!" But in fact, it isn't lonely at all. I enjoy it! I carry independent tendencies everywhere, even during the holidays. I ever had to worry about the Santa secret being ruined or keeping it alive for someone else and when I went searching for an answer, I got the truth.

Being an only child has its ups and downs, but being an only child and waking up on Christmas morning alone, is not as negative as some might think and my journey with no siblings has been just as fun and entertaining as those with them!