The Holiday season has always been one of my favorite times of the year. It's a time where I usually get to see extended family and always have a ton of fun. It's that time of year where many of us have big feasts, which take a lot of preparation, back to back. If I have realized anything, though, this year, the holidays are showing me a few ways that I'm growing up.

I'm cooking the meals. When I was younger, I could always bank on the holidays meaning that when the food was ready, I'd get to eat first, as many kids do. I didn't have a care in the world. That slowly transitioned to helping out in shopping and cooking the holiday meals, which I never minded. It has now officially flourished into my sister and myself being solely in charge of the holiday menu, shopping, and cooking. My parents threw us into it this Thanksgiving and it was actually pretty fun. Of course, you should only do this if you at least have a basic understanding of how to cook. For a while now I've been the sous chef to my sister who is almost always the head. Together we put on a great holiday meal for our family and though it was stressful with mom trying to "help us out" from the other room, we got it done and it was a great learning experience.

Not wanting material things for Christmas. This year when my dad asked me what I wanted for Christmas I answered very honestly that I simply wanted quality family time. Spending time with loved ones has always meant the most to me and this holiday season, it's what I've looked forward to most. Perhaps because now that I'm away at school it makes it more "special". In any event, upon a little nudging and thinking, I realized that of the material items that I do want, they're all practical. I find myself wanting things like pajama's and hair care products opposed to gaming systems, toys, or concert tickets that I'd beg for in my youth.

Giving to others. Every Christmas my parents would tell us that our gifts were going to be given to other children. Though a part of me was fine with that, most of me really wanted my presents. With reflection, I realized that it would be really awesome to be a blessing to others. To give rather than receive.

Trying to get a check. This is perhaps the biggest way that I have realized I'm growing up or "adulting". Instead of taking these six weeks to max and relax, I believe this is a prime opportunity to go back to work and earn a check so I don't have to always take from my parents' pockets.

Each of these reasons aren't exclusive to the holidays but the holidays sure did bring them to light. Let me know what you all think, tweet me @ThePiersenElise!