As soon as December 1st hits (or the day after Thanksgiving for some) the countdown to Christmas begins. Both kids and adults start to get super excited and anxious at the same time, as December 25th slowly approaches. But let's talk about the day that doesn't get the credit it oh so rightfully deserves. The day/night before Christmas, and arguably the greatest day of the year. Yes, I am here to argue that Christmas Eve surpasses Christmas day by a landslide.
You all know I'm right, but I'll prove it to you in case there are any naysayers out there:
1. The excitement is at its peak.
Santa is coming tonight! It's the night that we wait for all year. Especially when you were a kid, the anticipation of knowing that Santa will be coming down your chimney with a boat load of presents was enough to keep you tossing and turning in bed trying to sleep. Because we all know, Santa doesn't come unless you're sound asleep.
2. The FOOD.
All my Italian's please stand up. Christmas Eve dinner is the most amazing dinner that only comes once a year, so you KNOW I'm going to enjoy every bite. In my family, it's a ton of fish, but with some moderation. It's the only night a year I get a lobster tail, mussels, calamari, shrimp, scallops.... all the deliciousness. Christmas Day dinner isn't horrible either, but nothing comes close to Christmas Eve.
3. It has it's own book, that is super famous.
"The Night Before Christmas." Come on, it's the most famous Christmas story out there and it's about the night BEFORE Christmas, not Christmas day!
4. Presents under the tree are at their prettiest.
They haven't been torn open just yet, so they still sit under the tree in their neatly wrapped paper, bows and tinsel. Christmas Day all you see is a bunch of boxes and toys chilling under the tree, and it just doesn't have the same look to it5. You really only enjoy Christmas Day in the morning.
What else is there to look forward to besides waking up in the morning and running to your living room to find all of your presents nestled under the tree? Okay sure, your family is coming over, or you're going there, but then that's about it. Christmas is basically over once you open your last present and that's depressing.
6. You can still admire all your decorations.
Once Christmas is over, decorations are kind of depressing because you know that you have to wait another 365 days to look at them again. It's just a reminder that the most wonderful time of the year is over.
7. You can still shop for gifts.
Christmas Eve may not be the most ideal day to Christmas shop, but you still can! Despite all of the crowds and lines, Christmas shopping can be so much fun, and it's like you get an extra day to buy all of your gifts.
8. Christmas movies are the most magical.
Even though it's probably the millionth time you've seen "Christmas Vacation" and "Elf" in the last month, there's something about Christmas Eve that makes them even better. It's the best night of the year to watch all the Christmas movies ever created.
9. It's like you get any extra Christmas day.
It's basically the pregame before the big party. Christmas is so great that you get two days for it, and the pregame can sometimes be even better than the party itself. In this case, it totally is.