I’m sure many people will agree with me, but the Christmas season is truly my favorite time of the year. However, it’s not because of gifts and fancy new things, but it’s because of Christmas traditions. When I think of Christmas, I think of spending a full Saturday putting together and decorating a fake Christmas tree with my parents, blasting Christmas music, and eating marshmallow popcorn balls. I think of weekday nights curled up on the couch with my Mom, watching old Christmas classics (the animated version of The Grinch never gets old). I think of watching "It's a Wonderful Life" after church on Christmas Eve and having to write cards for my family before I go to bed because without fail, I procrastinate doing that every year.

Christmas traditions are so different for every family. I have some friends that spend all day Christmas with extended family. My family stays in and orders Chinese food on Christmas, having spent Christmas Eve with our extended family. Christmas traditions are so unique from family to family and I think that is something that is incredibly important. It’s wonderful that each little unit of people comes together in such different ways during this time of year, and that it means something different to everyone. Christmas is the one time during the year that offices close for extended periods of time. Families and friends get to just be with each other and enjoy each other’s presence, and that’s something incredibly special in the insane craziness of today’s world.

Christmastime for college students also means that another semester has come to an end, and at last finals and work is over for a month or so. Coming home and seeing all of the holiday lights and trees light up your hometown is a feeling that is unmatched. Being away from home has made me truly appreciate being able to come back and enjoy the things that I loved about Christmas even more. Getting to hug your Mom and Dad for the first time in months is a feeling that can’t be described. Christmas is the time of year when almost everyone gets to be together again, and if that isn’t magic then I don’t know what is. I know that being away at school has made me miss out on some of my favorite traditions, and I have come to cherish the ones that I still get to take part in more than anything. They are something to look forward to and something to bring you closer to the ones you love, and that is why they are so important.

So whether you’re looking forward to going to chop down a tree with your family, opening presents at 6am sharp on Christmas morning, baking Christmas cookies for Santa, hiding a pickle in your tree’s branches, or eating ham at your giant Christmas feast, just remember to be happy and not let your traditions die. One day when you’re older, you’ll want to share these with your children. Tradition is not overrated, so try not to take any of yours for granted this Christmas season.