Throughout the 19 Christmases I've spent with my family, we've had various traditions that occurred every year. This includes things that every family does and also some more unique things that only my family would dare to do. But this all began to change when I went off to college last year. Living a state, over I sadly had to miss out on several of my favorite traditions that used to happen every year. With the second "college Christmas" upon us, I wanted to share a few of my favorite family holiday traditions that I will always treasure even if I am not there to participate in all of the fun festivities of Christmas.

1. Picking out the 12 ft. tall Christmas tree, and trying to figure out how to fit it on the car (and get it in the house).

Every year our family somehow manages to get a taller tree than the previous year. We are known to find the biggest tree on the lot and call it ours. I will say the largest tree that we have ever gotten was so full and tall that it actually fell over twice in the same night. Needless to say, we ended up having to go out and retrieve a new, more heavy duty tree stand. I will always cherish our infamous Christmas tree finds, and just being able to spend that fun time with the family all together.

2. Making those super delicious, fun shaped sugar press cookies.

This was always a Christmas staple in our house. We baked these cookies at least once during the holidays, if not multiple times within the season. The batter was delicious by itself, but when baked and pressed into fun festive shapes, and piled high with sprinkles, they became even more decadent and beautiful. Although now I will have to make the cookies all gluten free, I will still attempt to make them just as easy on the eyes, and good for the tummy as they were before.

3. Decorating the house while blasting Christmas music throughout the entire house.

There's nothing more festive than seeing lots of shiny red and green and shimmering lights throughout the house. With garlands and lights lining the stairs, and ornaments hung on the tree, nothing would make it feel more like Christmas than the smell of freshly baked sugar cookies.

4. Always mischievously searching and snooping for any and every present I could possibly get my hands on.

Every year, no matter how old I was, I would always snoop to find whatever presents I possibly could. One year I hit the jackpot and found all of my presents, which ended up not being fun in the end because then I knew everything I was getting that year. After that, my parents began to grow more and more strategic in the process of hiding the presents from sneaky little children.

Above are 4 of my most favorite Christmas traditions which I miss out on when away at school. Although I do get to enjoy other traditions when I come home, I do wish that I could still have the opportunity to continue these traditions with my family as I get older. But for now, I will just have to settle, and enjoy the traditions that I do still get to have the chance to be a part of!