Year after year it’s the same thing – Christmas is just a regular day with decorative lights, expensive ham and concealed ordinary items. I don’t know if it’s just my family, but I watch Christmas shows and movies and wonder if that’s what actual families do.

I can’t help but notice all of the differences between my family and the presumed family, from everyone unwrapping a present at midnight to singing Christmas songs together. Don’t get me wrong, there are things I wish we did as a family, but some things should stay in movies (i.e., singing together).

If Christmas movies taught me anything, it’s about the type of person I want to be. It’s about the traditions I hope to start with my own family.

I want my kids to believe in Santa for as long as socially possible. I want them to read about Santa and imagine all of the wondrous things happening at the North Pole.

I want my kids to leave cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer every Christmas Eve.

I want my kids to stir and toss and turn in their sleep, glimpsing out their window, searching for a sparkly figure flying through the sky. I want them to creep down to the living room to see if there are presents under the tree yet.

I want to start a tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve and it's always being a pair of pajamas to sleep in.

I want to be the family on the block that goes all out with extravagant Christmas decorations and the lighting. Or maybe cute and subtle.

I want to be the family that takes goofy holiday pictures with reindeer headbands and ugly Christmas sweaters.

I want to be the family that blasts Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving (but not every day till Christmas – I would get really tired of it).

I want my whole house to smell like pine trees lit with candles.

I want to have Harry Potter marathons all throughout winter. And maybe a couple of Christmas specials here and there. (P.S. Marry me, Draco).

Aside from already having a game plan on how to achieve all of the above, I’ve learned about myself. I’ve been happier. And while the end of finals and the semester may play a huge part in my happiness, I know it’s because of the people around me.

Some of my sorority sisters went and donated food, clothing and other items to a homeless shelter. Another friend of my mine went and donated several new toys to unfortunate families.

I am surrounded by so many people that are giving back and its human nature to imitate frequent patterns. I’ve always wanted to help the unfortunate with clothing and food and whatnot, but I was too lazy and I didn’t know the way of approaching it.

I still don’t know exactly how to help homeless people, but I’ve started to be a kinder person. I smile at strangers no matter how many of them might think I’m weird. I sacrifice my desire for the last piece of bread and offer it to someone who needs it more at the table.

It’s not helping or giving back exactly, but it’s a small step to it. Acts of kindness shouldn’t only exist during the holiday season, but 365 days a year. It might seem you’re going through a rough patch, but there are others who have it worse. Some don’t have families to spend the holidays with, some don’t have homes.

I’m going to sound like a hypocrite but appreciate what you have. Do not compare yourself to others, it only creates pointless jealousy. Instead, share the things little to you but monumental to less fortunate people. Spreading kindness and care sounds like a lot of work, but the results are priceless. It's so worth it.