Christmas to me is more than just opening presents and going to mass, it is when I spend time with my family creating memories, being together, and loving each other. Whether it is shopping for loved ones, baking cookies with siblings, or just hanging out with family, Christmas is a special time. It is a week where we are all together, and don’t have a bunch of things on our mind that we have to do. Advent is the time of year where everyone is focused on celebrating the life of Christ and being with loved ones. Every year my whole family goes together to buy a tree, there is always an argument between my siblings and I, but it wouldn’t be Christmas if we didn’t fight. Decorating the tree is always a fun time because as we go through all the ornaments putting them on the tree there is holiday music playing in the background as my mom makes popcorn.
Christmas Eve is one of my favorite days. Besides all the good food that my uncle makes, everyone is seated down at one very long table and during prayer we go around the table saying what we are most grateful for. About a decade ago all my cousins and I started our own tradition that after dinner we would all go caroling around the neighborhood and look at all the lights. This time of the night is always so beautiful because everything is lit up and you can feel all the joy and happiness between everyone. As we get back to the house, dessert is ready and everyone is excited to eat all the pies and cookies. After, we do a gift swap between all the kids and they have to guess who gave them their gift (On Thanksgiving everyone picks a name out of a hat and has to buy a gift for that person.) . This part is another favorite of mine because everyone is all around the living room sitting together talking and laughing. Towards the end of the night when people start to leave, my family heads to midnight Mass. We just started doing this a few years ago but I love it more and more each year. Christmas Day is just like Christmas Eve but with the other side of the family and for that I am grateful. Spending time with everyone from both sides of my family is important to me because I don’t see everyone too often and seeing them makes Christmas very special.