I've been thinking a lot about holidays recently. When you come to college, these special days become even more prevalent in your life because they are usually the designated time for yo to return home.

There's the age old debate of which particular one is the best.

Thanksgiving, in which you are allowed one day of the year to absolutely stuff yourself while professing your gratitude through mouthfuls of mashed potatoes.

Many people like Fourth of July as these day is a more laid back kinda of event.

Hot dogs, beer, and blowing things up?

What could be better?

Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Mother's and Father's Day all come into consideration as we appreciate the important people in our lives who have sacrificed so much.

And then there's the obvious one, Christmas.

It's undeniable. Something about the Christmas season puts everyone in a good mood.

Colorful lights adorn houses and one can see families gathered in the bright windows.

The pure joy of waking up on Christmas morning, not knowing what's sitting under the tightly wrapped packages.

Don't get me wrong.

I love Christmas.

But, as I got older I realized that Christmas Day wasn't what I loved most about the Christmas season.

It wasn't where my best childhood memories were from.

Christmas Day always seem slightly hurried to me. The pressure to be perfect was somehow always present in the air.

The perfect presents. The perfect meal.

It felt like my family was always rushing.

Wake up. Open presents. Christmas breakfast. Drive to Grandma and Grandpa's.

And of course, us being McNamara's..we were always running late.

In the thick of this day, you don't really realize it. But in the blink of an eye, the day is over.

But, Christmas Eve?

Now that's a holiday to be treasured.

That's where my family's most deeply rooted and precious family traditions are held.

We get all dressed for Christmas Eve mass at our local parish. For some reason, the six of us are usually in a very giggly mood.

I don't know if it's giddiness in anticipation for the rest of the night, but the Church giggles are usually rampant on Christmas Eve.

After mass, we usually either go get pizza or make it at home.

If we make it at home, a full on dance party ensues in the kitchen.

Occasionally throughout the years, we take a drive and look at everyone's outdoor Christmas lights.

And then of course there's the Christmas Eve present. With a fire crackling in our wood fireplace, we get to open one gift that night. In the past, it was always pajamas.

However, one person can only use so many jammies.

My parents have gotten around the pajama debacle by giving us socks, slippers, a furry sweatshirt. Really anything that is cozy and can be worn that night.

The night ends with sibling Christmas snuggle party. Ever since we were little, on Christmas Eve, we all sleep together.

We make a kind of nest on the floor of one of the rooms with cozy pillows and blankets. And then the four of us and our dog, Nellie, burrow in for the night.

So that's why Christmas Eve is the best holiday.

I have all five of my family members under one roof. My 26-year-old sister snuggles like she's a seven-year-old. My dad sits and reads by the fire while we open our Christmas Eve jammies.

This is Christmas Eve and it's the epitome of the best parts of my family.

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'Twas the night before Christmas and "I was my absolute happiest."