The holidays here in America are my favorite time because everywhere is so festive and people are in great moods. It also means getting off of school! My family is from Iran so we don't celebrate Christmas as huge as many Americans do but we can't help get a little bit festive. Honestly, my mom has more Christmas decorations than she does for Persian New Year which is always really funny to me.

My favorite Christmas tradition is going to Midnight Mass. Now we aren't Christian (in fact we are Zoroastrian so a little similar to Christianity) but we have been going to Midnight Mass every year for the past three years. I love the atmosphere and the fact that I get to light a candle and call it my light. I also love the service because there is always music involved and a good message. I also love seeing everyone's candles around the dark room. It is a very calming thing to be a part of.

My favorite Christmas gift that I've gotten is actually from this year. My mom got me a small Michael Kors bag and it is the first designer bag I own. She wanted me to feel like a grown-up college student with this bag and I am so thankful because I absolutely love it. I usually do not care much about brands and designer things. The only brand I remotely care about is Converse but now I have this awesome bag to flaunt.

I also love going ice skating during Christmas time. It gives the feeling that there is in fact a winter in Arizona even thought it never snows! Looking at Christmas lights is also a huge part of my getting in the holiday mood routine.