7 Best Things about Christmastime That I Really Look Forward to ...

1 Choosing a Tree

I know that fake trees are all the rage and all, but in my family, real trees are the only way to go. Every year, we pick a date in early December, and hit a tree farm, looking for the perfect fit. And we never find it. Our trees are always too tall, or too wide, or they lean a little weirdly to the left… but they’re all beautiful. And that SMELL. You simply cannot fake the smell of a Christmas tree, even with the magic of Yankee Candle. Picking a tree and bringing it home is the start of the Christmas celebration in my family, and it is one of the best things about Christmas.

2 Decking the Halls

Like choosing a tree, decorating it and our home is a family tradition. Every year my family makes a big event out of decorating together. The day before is less fun, as it’s filled with cleaning and prepping, but day two is amazing. We rock out to Christmas music, and don our silly Santa hats, and drink eggnog and wine. My mother makes her famous Christmas Doritos (don’t ask), and we snack and drink and dance around, all while making my home into a fairytale land.

3 Festive, Cold-Weather Clothing

I LOVE layering, and the Christmas season just provides fuel for all my lovely layering needs. Because, let’s face it, it’s the only time of the year when it’s perfectly acceptable to mix chunky sweaters with sparkly tights. Between the hats, scarves, fingerless gloves, furry coats, colored tights, warm leggings, boots of all kinds, and long-sleeve everything, dressing at Christmastime puts me in my happy place. You summer people can keep your flip flops and bikinis… I’ll take my leg warmers and tall boots any day of the week!

4 The FOOD

Nom nom nom! Do I really need to explain this one? In the days leading up to my favorite holiday, I am surrounded by cookies of every kind, pies, cakes, banana and pumpkin break, the beloved Christmas Doritos, and my mother’s warm, savory winter meals. I, personally, help my mother make my favorite Christmas treat: fudge that is simply to die for. And then on Christmas Eve and Day my family makes a smorgasbord of every delicious food you can think of. Christmastime is simply delicious, and the only complaint is that of my waist band. But that’s what New Year’s Resolutions are for, right?!

5 Seeing Loved Ones

As much as I can be a bit of a loner at times, I love my time spent at Christmas surrounded by those I hold dear. Between parties and get-togethers, photo sessions and gift-exchanges, Christmas is the time of year when you are most surrounded by your family and friends. Watching the children open their presents is a joyous occasion, and seeing my nephews’ and niece’s little eyes light up will never get old. And while I love exchanging tokens of our affection with the adults, it is the time spent together that is remembered most fondly from year to year. I hope you’ll be spending time with your loved ones this year!

6 Christmas Movies and Shows

Maybe this season makes me nostalgic, but as soon as it’s cold out I automatically start piling up all the Christmas movies, which I watch each and every year. Rudolph, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and The Year Without a Santa Claus are staples, of course, but I also have my grown up Christmas favorites. Love Actually, The Holiday, and The Family Stone are watched and re-watched every year, and I always do a Harry Potter marathon, as well (I don’t know why, but they’ve always been Christmas-appropriate to me). And when I’m not hunkered down with blankets watching movies, I’m out in the city seeing amazing Christmas shows. In fact, I just saw Elf at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia, and it was brilliant!

7 Reading and Cuddling by the Christmas Tree

This one may be particular to me, but when you say Christmas, this is what I think of. While the festivities are fun, and the time with friends and family is well spent, my favorite thing to do at Christmas is to curl up on the couch by the tree in a silent house, reading a book or staring into the lights. It’s there, warm and cozy by the light of the tree, that I really remember what Christmas is all about. It’s my favorite thing to do, and probably always will be.

Everyone who celebrates Christmas has their own special tradition, or favorite festivity, that they enjoy during the season. Christmastime is a magical time, when we all suspend disbelief, even just for a moment, to believe in the unbelievable. Will you be listening to hear Santa’s reindeer pitter-pattering on the roof on Christmas Eve? How will you celebrate Christmas this year?