One thing I noticed as I grew up is that the holidays do not feel like holidays anymore. Growing up I used to be so excited for each holiday I celebrated, but as I grew up the excitement in them seemed to almost disappear. Growing up Halloween was one of those exciting holidays where you got to be anyone or anything you wanted. You would have these Halloween parties in a class filled with classmates and plenty of candy. I could not wait to run around my neighborhood showing off my costume collecting as much candy as I could and begging my parents to let me and my siblings go to the neighborhood that gave out king-sized candy bars. However, as time went on the dressing up became less and it was no longer acceptable to go out and collect candy from neighborhoods. I miss the way Halloween felt as a kid. When you grow older Halloween becomes more about the parties and having the best costume that ended up just be black spandex and top and some cat ears. So what does one do when a holiday like Halloween seems less magical? Well, you make the most out of it you find new ways to make yourself excited around that holiday. For me, Halloween is the best because everything smells like pumpkin spice and fall leaves falling. I keep the magic of the holiday alive by watching as many Halloween movies eating candy as I can and spending as much time in the fall crisp air as I can. Little things like this remind me that although I am no longer a kid full of magic and imagination fro the holidays I can still do things that bring some of that holiday spirit back to me.

The same thing with Christmas growing up the holiday is so magical because of Santa Claus and the magic about him. As we grow Santa's magic seems to fade in our eyes. The holidays become less about joyous things and more about presents and comparing what we get versus others. I miss childhood Christmas the excitement of not being able to sleep you are so excited to see what presents are under the tree. Christmas now can be overwhelming with having to buy so many gifts and keep ups ith seeing old friends back at home as well as family. Christmas has lost its magic and excitement for me. However, I do my best to find ways to bring that Christmas spirit back. Decorating for Christmas is always one of those things that remind me of happiness. Everything becomes so pretty and sparkling covered in light bulbs and ornaments. I love watching as many Christmas movies as I can while drinking hot chocolate. Doing things like driving around and admiring Christmas lights help bring the spirit of Christmas back to me, They even take me back to being a kid and remembering doing those things.

Every holiday, not just Halloween and Christmas; Easter, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving and so many more are becoming less and less exciting in my eyes. They do not feel as they have felt in years past. Growing up and everything that comes with it like being away at school for lots of holiday celebrations is partially the reason for the feeling. This can be very hard to handle because we all long to be young again believing in the magic of the holidays. That is why it is important to find things in those holidays that fill you with excitement again. The holidays may be changing but we can change it.