With Christmas season approaching our wish list of items we want to receive gets longer, but we tend to forget about the important aspects of Christmas that we should really wish for. While gifts are splendid, the time we spend with our loved ones is most splendid of all. So, I ask of you to consider these wishes this holiday season before considering the new technology and gift cards you are imagining under the tree.

1. For family and friends to gather happily.

For some of us our immediate reaction to large family gatherings is to roll our eyes, but this year I wish for us all to enter happily. Don't just celebrate Christmas, celebrate the fact that your family is all together and happy

2. To have a stress-free day.

Parents especially stress out during the holidays because they want to provide their children with the best experience they possibly can. This year, lets ease the stress and just enjoy it minute by minute. Have some eggnog and relax.

3. Appreciate the little things.

Appreciate that Grandma Joe is re-gifting gifts for the fifteenth year in a row, that Aunt Sally forgot to bring her dish again, and appreciate how embarrassing your parents are. In ten years, you'll look back and wish you were receiving that re-gifted gift one more time

4. For everyone to be safe.

Traffic during the holidays is insane and we tend to overlook just how dangerous it can be. Rather than rushing to grandma's to open more gifts just take a second and relax and enjoy the holiday. Even Santa buckles up.

5. For everyone to be sincere.

We get a lot of questions asked during the holidays from family and friends we speak to less than others and rather than ignoring their questions, expand the conversation. You never know, second cousin Susan could be one of your bridesmaids in five years all because you had this conversation.

6. For the the day to be filled with laughter.

Laughter simply makes everything better.

7. To leave any worries behind.

If you have tasks that need to be completed after the holiday, don't worry about them until after. There's no need to worry about things happening in the future on this day.

8. Be grateful for what you already have.

A lot of people and children don't get the opportunity for a family dinner or gifts under the tree. I want you to imagine that there is no gifts and still be just as grateful.

9. Holiday cheer.

I don't just mean wearing fuzzy socks, I mean genuinely enjoying the holiday.

10. Appreciate your best friends just as much as family.

They are the family we chose, so don't forget about them..

11. Treat the animals like family.

Just like our friends, we chose these wonderful creatures in our lives. So let them in the house and let them have a little Christmas spirit like the humans. Even if their way of expressing it means attempting to steal food off of the table.

12. Don't forget about the day when it's over.

We are used to leaving to go back to school or the new city we live in, but this time think about the day often and appreciate it. Don't forget, Santa is watching all year-round, folks.