Christmas is probably my absolute favorite holiday, besides Labor Day which is when my birthday tends to fall so I usually don't have classes that day. Though as I have gotten older, my reasoning behind Christmas being my favorite holiday has changed.

When I was younger, I only loved Christmas for the mountains of gifts and the chance to spend more time with my cousins, possibly even sleepover at their house.

As I got older, I began to enjoy Christmas less for the fact that I was receiving gifts, but more for the fact that I was able to give the people who meant the most to be the perfect gifts. There is something so satisfying about finding the perfect gift someone and watching the joy light up their face when they open it. I love buying gifts for people and I often find myself buying my friends, mainly my boyfriend, gifts for no reason all the time. It's hard to stop myself when I find an object in a store that reminds me of them- I just have to buy it. One time I was at Wegman's and I found a tiny plush dinosaur that roared when you squeezed it so of course, I had to buy it for my darling boyfriend who still loves dinosaurs. I honestly look forward to the Christmas season just for the gift buying aspect. I look at countless websites and make lists with all my possible ideas for everyone; I usually have to stop myself from going overboard with purchasing gifts because I just want to buy everything I think the special people in life would enjoy.

In addition to the extreme gift-buying at Christmas time, I love Christmas because I get to spend time with my family. Since starting my college career, and with my living 4 hours away for most of the year, I miss a lot of everyday family activities, whether it is just grocery shopping with my mom and grandma or going to the library with my younger brother. That's what makes coming home for the holidays even more special, especially since I get to see extended family on Christmas Day. This year will be a little different, though, as it will be the first Christmas without my great-grandma; but it will be nice to be surrounded by family as we celebrate and remember her together.

My younger brother and I, as well as my boyfriend, have a started an annual tradition of creating a gingerbread house so I am looking forward to that.

I encourage you all to spend some time with your families this holiday season, even if your parents are bugging you or your grandma is smothering you with hugs and kisses or your younger cousins are annoying you. You will miss it all when it's gone or when you don't have a chance to see them because you are too busy with your own life. Your family loves you and that's what the holiday season is all about.