Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Lifestyle

Christmas Is So Much More Than Presents

To me, it is more about the traditions and experiences.

Jessica Smith

Dec 18, 2017

University of Tennessee

180

Wikimedia Commons

Between the fall and spring semesters lies my favorite time of the year: Christmas. This is the time of the year where I feel the happiest. Also, Christmas gives me the perfect excuse to curl up next to the fireplace and drink a cup of hot chocolate while staring at the beautifully lit Christmas tree.

My Christmas traditions officially start the day after Thanksgiving when we partake in one of Knoxville's best Christmas traditions, the Fantasy of Trees. While walking around the convention center looking at all the uniquely decorated trees, I start taking note of how I want to decorate my own tree. There is even wreaths, dancing, games, activities for kids and the world's best coffee. This really gets me in the Christmas spirit. If you are ever in Knoxville during the week of Thanksgiving, I highly recommend experiencing the Fantasy of Trees for yourself.

I am a Christmas weirdo when it comes to wrapping presents. I schedule an entire day where I have the house to myself and I just wrap every single one of the gifts that I bought for others. I enjoy sitting on the floor of my living room surrounded by wrapping paper while watching a classic Hallmark Christmas movie. I am a sucker when it comes to a good Christmas romance movie, I am pretty sure that I inherited that from my mother.

Next is the endless baking. It would not be a Smith Christmas without baking dozens of cookies, dipping pretzels and Oreos, and my personal favorite, peppermint bark. Christmas baking is a time where we all get to be in the kitchen together and we are able to just talk to one another. This is probably one of my favorite bonding activities that we get to do during the Christmas season.

Christmas is my favorite time of the year because it is a time where I get to just spend time with my bonding. But it is also is important to me on a personal level.

I believe that Christmas is a time of celebration for Jesus' birth but it means much more then just that. It symbolizes the love the God had to send His son down to earth. There is no greater love then that.

So during Christmas, I really like to just show love and compassion towards everyone. I feel that if God can show me love even when I don't deserve it then I can do the same things to others. It is honestly the least that I can do.

On another note, I really want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!!!

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Entertainment

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

94586

Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less

best beatles lyrics

Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

132678

college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

waitlisted

Recommended for you

Christmas Is So Much More Than Presents

To me, it is more about the traditions and experiences.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Lifestyle

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter