It's the most wonderful time of the year, as some might say. College students are home for break. Malls and shopping centers are chaotic with shoppers trying to get that perfect last minute gift for a loved one. Families are preparing their houses for the holidays and all of the people that will be attending their parties in the next few weeks. Gifts are being wrapped and placed under the tree for Christmas Day when they will be torn open in less time than it took to wrap them.

Some know the feeling of filling out a wish list for Christmas presents. Everyone can think back to when we were five and wanted that Polly Pockets Princess set, or when we were ten and desperately wanted an iPod. As the years have passed, I noticed that my wish list shrinks considerably each time I attempt to write one. I believe it is because I have come to realize some of the things that I truly want in my life on December 25th every year do not necessarily need to be written down, wrapped, or placed in my stocking.

As a college student, many of us rush home after our last final to reconnect with family and friends during winter break. I, on the other hand, am a collegiate athlete, which means I am still living in my dorm room for a few days after finals because of practices and games before and after Christmas. Playing basketball during this time of year has always been a large part of my family's holiday activities, but it has a greater impact now that I am no longer in high school. Before, I would still be at home, decorating with my family, shopping with my sister, and eating all of the cookies on my dad. Now, I miss out on almost all of the decorating, I have to shop by myself because it is so last minute, and my dad gets first dibs on all of the good cookies friends and neighbors drop off for the holidays.

Those of you who know me understand how much I love my family and how I have a tendency to get a little homesick, especially around the holidays. It is probably for this reason that all I want for Christmas is not the newest technology or an expensive piece of jewelry. All I want for Christmas is to spend quality time with my loving family.

Many people in this world are not as fortunate as I am. My parents are still happily married, and I have a little brother and sister who I love unconditionally. Sometimes I take these things for granted, but I am constantly reminded how blessed I am to have these crazy people in my life. I do not have to worry about which house I am staying at for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, nor do I have to cringe at the thought of spending more than five hours in a room with my siblings. I embrace the short amount of time I have with them with open arms because I understand that the feelings I have toward my family are more uncommon than one would think.

So when my mom calls me and says she's out shopping and needs to pick up one or two more items to put in my pile on Christmas morning, my typical response is "I don't want anything." Deep down, she realizes all I want is for the family to spend time together, watching our favorite classic Christmas movies and eating all of the cookies and desserts we will probably regret when making our New Year's resolutions.

Sorry to ruin your song Mariah Carey, but all I want for Christmas is my family. That is not something Santa can bring down the chimney, but something that I can find right in my living room.