When I was growing up, I remember being excited about Christmas because I got presents, and got money from relatives who only visited once a year. Christmas was my favorite holiday because of the presents. Christmas is still my favorite holiday, but it's not because of the gifts, I couldn't care less if I got gifts on Christmas now. I do love buying Christmas presents for everyone I love, and I love seeing their faces when they open their gifts. But Christmas changed a lot for me when I got older.

I've realized now, as a young adult, that Christmas is not about gifts (and no, I'm not going to say it's about Jesus--even though my mother would). To me, Christmas is about family. Two of my three siblings don't live home anymore, they moved to different states when they graduated college, so I only see them a few times a year (mostly at holidays). So to me the holidays meant my brother and sister would be home, and all of us would be together again.

And my sister didn't even know if she would get Christmas off this year (thankfully she did, and she can come home). As much as I love getting a Christmas tree, and buying presents, and baking Christmas cookies, I also love counting down to Christmas because it means my family will be together, which is honestly the best gift I could ask for.

It's totally fine if Christmas presents are exciting for you, and you go all-out on decorating. You can look forward to the food, or the Christmas cookies. But try to remember that it's not all about the material stuff. Enjoy time with your family. Don't fight over stupid things. Don't forget to stay home on Christmas and just enjoy the time you get with your family, whether you get to see them every day, or only once a year. Christmas is about family, and that's the best part.

Have a great Christmas everybody!