If there was a specific time of year that really gets me hyped up, it's Christmas time. I am a diehard lover of Christmas and I always will be! It is incredibly nauseating when people assume that I only enjoy the holidays because of the gifts. Are you crazy? The holiday spirit alone is enough to make me gleam with joy. The reasons as to why I love the holiday season are endless and will never include receiving gifts.

I count down the minutes until the day after Thanksgiving. This being the socially acceptable time to begin preparing for Christmas, but in all reality I was ready months ago. My mom and I start to drag up totes of decorations from the basement the following morning until every last ornament is hung, light is plugged in, and every inch of the house is covered in garland. Decorations are unbelievably magical and unique. Growing up, my parents would drive down the backroads to see all the decorated yards and houses. Each was different and special in their own way. There is truly no better pastime that is more humbling than that!

Personally, Christmas movies will never grow old. I am talking the original christmas movies like, "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer," from 1964, which will always be a classic and a top five favorite. With out a doubt, "Dr. Suess's How The Grinch Stole Christmas," will be my number one favorite Christmas movie forever. The best thing about every Christmas movie is that it reminds viewers that the spirit of Christmas does not rely on presents; they expresses the importance of spending time with loved ones.

The holidays are the time of year where families really try to set their differences aside to enjoy each other's company — of course they will try and fail. It just wouldn't be Christmas if there wasn't one fight between a couple of family members, would it? The realization of being away at college just reinforces how special going home for the holidays to see family really is.

In all seriousness, family Christmas parties are probably the only parties I RSVP for. Why? Anyone who doesn't want to see a bunch of ugly Christmas Sweaters, eat a bunch of delicious food, and rock out to the best holiday classics on the dance floor is crazy. Let's be real here, Mariah Carey's, "All I Want For Christmas is You," will always hold a special place in everyone's hearts and belting it out with a couple of cousins is just what you need after a long year.

From someone who is such a believer in the holiday spirit, I hope that one day every one will realize that the Grinch was right, that, "maybe Christmas... doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps... means a little bit more!"

Happy Holidays!