Dear Mom and Dad,

This year was my first year having to decide on my own whether or not to put up my own Christmas decorations. I eventually settled on hanging two stockings on my door and called it a day because it takes effort and money to put up decorations, effort, and money that I do not have. I thought about how sad this was, that I was starting off the Christmas season without decorations, and realized how lucky I was at home to have parents who did it every year.

Of course the holidays are a joyous and happy time, but they also require a lot of work on top of life's other duties. From the presents to the trees, to the lights, to the meals, to the cards, to the parties, and don't forget the cookies, the holidays are like another job (but hopefully a fun one). So thank you, Mom and Dad. Thank you for putting in the effort every year to make the holidays special and for the many years of sneaking presents under the tree.

I know I may not always show my appreciation enough and I may have returned some of your gifts over the years but as I am growing up I am realizing how fortunate I am to have parents that do these things every December just to make me happy. There are many people out there who are not as lucky as I am during the holidays and it's easy to forget about that.

Thank you, Mom for online shopping for hours on end to find me exactly what I want. Thank you for making Christmas cookies with me every year. Thank you for decorating the house every year, and always doing the whole house because you know how much I love it.

Thank you, Dad for putting up the lights and the tree every year, I know sitting on the roof for hours in the cold isn't exactly fun. Thank you for always making sure the Christmas card is absolutely perfect.Thank you for making breakfast on Christmas morning every year.

The best part of all of this is that you work so hard to do these things because they make us happy and to bring us all together as a family. The holidays are a time meant to spend with loved ones, and that is exactly what you try to do - spend time with us.

I can't imagine Christmas without all the little things you do to make it special, so when you've been decorating for hours and you're still not even close to being done, just remember how much I appreciate it. All the traditions of Christmas are what makes it such a special time, so thank you for all of your hard work that makes our Christmas celebrations possible.

Now that I know the struggle of figuring out Christmas decorations on my own, I appreciate all you do during this wonderful time even more. So thank you again for all you do for me, Mom and Dad. I can't wait to be home and making Christmas cookies with you very soon.

Love,

Your Daughter