When you think of Christmas, what do you think of? Family? Food? Gifts?

The majority of people, if not everyone, thinks of spending time with their loved ones while they eat delicious food and open Christmas presents. Christmas is a joyous time of the year that allows us to come together to celebrate The Lord’s birth, even if everything is not hunky dory! No matter if you come from a divorced or non-divorced family, you still enjoy the same things.

My parents have been divorced since I was little and ever since, I had a schedule of who I would be with during the holidays. I would alternate holidays each year. So I would go to my dad’s for Thanksgiving and my mom’s for Christmas and do the opposite the following year. Honestly, it is a great system for me and if you have divorced parents, I hope you are able to celebrate the holidays with both of your parents! It is a huge blessing and I am holding onto it as long as I can!

Just because my parents are divorced, doesn’t mean I love Christmas any less. I enjoy decorating the tree, making Christmas cookies, and listening to Frank Sinatra’s Christmas album (cannot beat Sinatra)! I wear the ugly sweaters, eat too much food, and love the time I spend with my family! The only difference is that I celebrate with one family 850 miles away. Yes, that is a long distance but having FaceTime really helps cut that down. Thank you Steve Jobs!

I wear the hideous pjs on Christmas Eve and eat the cookies that are left for Santa. I nag my parents to let me open a gift early, even though I am above the age of ten! I shake the boxes to see what I got and try to open the gifts without my parents knowing but it always fails! No matter my family history, I act like any normal kid when it comes to Christmas.

Yes, it is hard not celebrating with both parents but I am very thankful I am able to spend Christmas with at least one parent each year! Have a happy holidays and I hope you get to spend it with the people you love!