Well, now that Thanksgiving is over, we can talk Christmas! Christmas is my favorite Holiday, and I know it's many other people's favorite as well; so, I decided to create a list of my top 5 favorite things about Christmas.

1) Christmas Eve Mass

I'm Catholic, and my most favorite thing about Christmas is going to Christmas Eve Mass. The younger kids put on a little Christmas scene after Communion, and it's always so neat to watch all of the hard work that they put in to make it perfect pay off. In the scene, there is Mary, who carries baby Jesus, Joseph, shepherds, angels, and the Three Wise Men, who carry the three gifts. It's kind of like bringing the story of Jesus' birth to life. The kids also are the choir leaders for the Mass, and they always do a great job; I wish I was younger so that I could participate again because I always enjoyed it. Christmas Eve Mass also brings a packed Church, although finding a seat may be tough, it's great to see so many people coming together to worship the birth of Jesus.

2) Family/Food/Gifts

Now, you're probably thinking "Gifts? Why is that a part of number two? Gifts aren't everything." No, of course, gifts aren't everything, but doesn't it make you feel good seeing someone's face light up with happiness or even surprise when you give them a gift that they've been wanting? It's not about RECEIVING for me; rather, it's about GIVING. And of course being with family is great because you get to be together, enjoying a nice Christmas dinner. When I was younger, my mom and I used to read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, but sadly I can't even find the book anymore.

3) Decorating

Doesn't everyone get excited about decorating for Christmas (don't lie; I know you do). Now, just because you may decorate before Thanksgiving doesn't mean that you're already celebrating Christmas. It just means that you're preppin' early. I may be nineteen, but I still get very excited when we bring down the decorations from the attic. In my house, we go all out. Every single room has some sort of decoration: we have a seven-foot tree, we put our stockings up and hang lights on the mantle, my mom has several little houses and she creates a snow village scene, we put up a nativity scene, and there are just so many other decorations. Christmas time is my favorite time of year at my house because our decorations are so pretty to me but so are other people's which is why I like driving around looking at all the Christmas lights.

4) Christmas Movies

Hello! Who DOESN'T love Christmas movies? From the corny Hallmark movies to the classics like A Christmas Story or Home Alone or How the Grinch Stole Christmas or Frosty or Rudolph... don't you just love curling up in a blanket with a nice fire going while watching Christmas movies. I know I do. I can't even pick a favorite because I love them all. Every year I look forward to ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas (I'm aware it's Freeform now, but I don't like that).

5) Christmas Music

Okay okay, I know some people love it and some people hate it. But for me, I love Christmas music. I'll crank up the volume on some Christmas music while driving, or cleaning, or doing homework... it's just the type of music that you sing along loudly to (don't disagree with me on this).

Whatever your favorite part about Christmas may be, just don't forget about the true meaning behind the holiday--the celebration of our Lord's birth.