Christmas is still one of my favorite holidays, but I remember that it used to be a lot more exciting when I was younger.

Here are some of the ways Christmas changes as you get older:

Ages 0-3: Until you’re about three or four, you really don’t remember much about Christmas, other then the fact that there are a bunch of cute videos of you waddling around and ripping paper off of boxes and shoving it in your mouth. Your parents probably got a lot more excited then you did, and with good reason, because you were pretty cute.

Ages 4-8: This is when you love Christmas. You totally believe in Santa and all of the holiday magic. Christmas movies are really awesome, because maybe your dad is the next Santa Clause too—after all, anything is possible!

Ages 8-14: This is when your classmates start to whisper that Santa isn’t real. Some kids are very upset about this (I was one of those kids), but some kids aren’t too surprised.

Christmas is just never the same after that.

Ages 14-17: At this age you start to like the giving part of Christmas a little more, and all you really ask for is money, so the Christmas season is still exciting, especially when you’re hanging out with your friends.

Ages 18-22: Now you’re in college and your parents are probably giving you every extra nickel and dime that they can, so you really don’t ask for anything expect maybe socks and underwear, because you actually need those things and they’re pretty expensive!

You also really look forward to Christmas because it means that your dreaded finals week is finally over and you have a few weeks to spend with your family and hometown friends!