As a college student, there’s nothing quite like getting to go home over winter break. I love college, and I love getting to experience life away from home but I still find myself counting down the days until I can finally return. Once December rolls around, it is nearly impossible to concentrate on any school project or paper with Christmas in the back of my mind. I will be eagerly waiting in anticipation for the day I can make my way back home, but until then I will be dreaming of Christmas at home.

The sight of the mountains varnished with snow from the plane window will be enough to make the last 30 minutes of the flight seem like a lifetime. The snow-tipped birch trees will seem magical, even though it’s a sight that has been engrained in my memory since forever. Flakes of white falling from the sky will bring out the child in me and conceal the biting temperatures that have made an appearance at this time of year. Icy rooftops and chimney smoke will construct a storybook similitude and make an evening out in the city all the more festive. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas at home.

I am excited to see the friends that I hugged goodbye in the airport in August before we all made our way to schools across the nation. Hours will be spent catching up on the fall semester and enjoying the time away from campus. Way too many peppermint flavored lattes will be consumed in the early mornings at local coffee shops before a day of seasonal merriment. The only difficult part of our holiday break will be deciding between a Christmas movie marathon or hiking in the snow. I’m dreaming of a Christmas at home spent with friends.

Most of all, I am looking forward to spending Christmas break with my family. Decorating Christmas cookies and wrapping gifts with my brother and sister is a thought that warms my heart. Even lending a hand in the kitchen with my mom to prepare the Christmas meal, or stringing lights from the house with my dad, will seem to be an enjoyable task. I can almost hear the laughter of my family as we attempt to stuff our fluffy dogs into green and red Christmas sweaters. I am dreaming of a family Christmas at home.

The holiday break is long awaited for many college students, especially me. As I impatiently wait the moment I can finally return home, I will be dreaming of a white Christmas, spent at home, with friends and family.