In the original words of Al Stillman, “There’s no place like home for the holidays.” As a college student, these words couldn’t ring more true. There’s something about how much more it means to be at home during the Christmas season than when I was 5, 10 or even 18 years old.

There are so many Christmas mornings I can remember from when I was little, and of course a lot of them have to do with the presents that beloved Old Saint Nick brought to me. There was the year an electric scooter was perched up in my living room and I wanted to go outside that minute and race up and down the street on it. There was also the year I got my first Gameboy. I screamed so loud and ran down to the basement to wake up my poor aunt and uncle that were still sleeping; that’s how excited I was for finally having my first electronic gaming device. But nothing can quite compare to the year I leaped from the stairs to see a brand-new Wii system in front of the fireplace. They had just hit the shelves and were sold out everywhere, but Santa had brought ME one, and I'm pretty sure my sister and I played Wii tennis all night.

Aside from the gifts, the traditions of Christmas morning will always stand out in my mind. I would wake up early, at least by 8 a.m., and make sure my sister was awake too. As soon as we heard our parents getting coffee and moving around downstairs we would go sit on the edge of the staircase. We scooted all the way down the stairs on our butts because if you walked down the stairs, you could see over the railing into the living room, and we wanted Santa’s gifts to be a surprise. Now that I’m in college, these traditions don’t happen the same way anymore. My sister is married and spends Christmas morning with her husband, which she should. And of course, it wasn’t hard to figure out that Santa was Mom and Dad, but sometimes I still continue to put out those chocolate chip cookies (you’re welcome dad). The magic of Christmas morning is still there, it's simply a different kind of magic.

You see, when I was little I wanted Christmas Day to be here so quick because I wanted to open all the presents under the tree. Now, I realize more than ever it’s never about the presents, and never really has been. I always hope and pray that the month goes by as slow as possible. Sitting on the couch in the evenings with my dog curled up in my lap, the Christmas tree lit, and the TV on with my parents in the room is a treasure. It sounds so simple, and as a kid I would have though it to be the most boring thing in the world. Now, I can’t get enough of evenings like those. Cooking with my mom and making “puppy chow” (the greatest treat you’ll ever eat) is something I look forward to as I’m taking finals before traveling home. I think about all the quality time I’ll get to spend with my dad watching football on TV, putting on Elf for the millionth time, or going out to dinner and laughing about something ridiculous someone in the family has done. These little things have become the real presents to me, as cliché as that might sound.

Overall, Christmas means so much more when you’re in college, I think, because you know it’s some of the last years you have before having a “real” job. Time is moving so quickly and you tend to value each break you have just a little more with each passing year. It’s some of the last chances you get to have a long break and just spend it with people you love. But mostly, it’s the most important time because you’re at the age where you truly realize deep down how grateful you are to the people who helped shape the person you've become.

So, this Christmas, don’t wish for it to fly by. College is great, and the experiences you have will create a lifetime of memories. But time spent with family and those who love you unconditionally, is even greater.