The holiday season is my favorite time of year. It is filled with happiness, love, food, giving and more food. While many of us are excited to celebrate the holidays, it is important to remember that this time of year can be tough for others. Whether that be for family, financial or personal reasons, not everyone can enjoy the holidays as they would wish to. Due to this reality, I find it imperative that those fortunate enough to have a happy holiday season do not take it for granted because not everyone gets to have that happiness. Thus, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge everything that I am grateful for this holiday season and remember to never take these things for granted.

I am grateful for traditions that I get to continue with my family, such as gathering with one side of my family on Christmas Eve and getting together with the other side on Christmas Day.

I am grateful for the kindness of humanity stepping up during this time of the year to be good to one another.

I am grateful for Christmas music faintly playing in the background of the malls, restaurants and other locations, instantly putting me in the holiday spirit.

I am grateful for the warm food on my plate that I am able to have not only during the holiday season, but during the rest of the year.

I am grateful for witnessing little ones get excited about Santa, reindeer and the other magic that they feel with Christmas.

I am grateful for the times that I am able to give back to those who are in need during the holiday season.

I am grateful for gingerbread men and eggnog. Yup, definitely eggnog.

I am grateful for the opportunity to give my loved one's gifts as a small token of appreciation for them and then being able to see the pure happiness on their faces from receiving it.

I am grateful for the heat in my home to keep me warm when the weather is bad.

I am grateful for the love that I feel from my friends and family, and the love that I am able to give.

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These are just a fraction of the things that I am grateful for this holiday season. I never want to take these things for granted because I know that I am truly blessed to have them. I hope that everyone has a holiday season full of love and happiness.