Christmas is definitely my favorite time of year.
I love it actually. I love the feeling of warmth and coziness our house has when the tree is all lit up, the windows are adorned with lights, and other decorations fill the house. It's almost spa-like. If we had built-in surround sound (cough cough, Anna) I could pump Christmas music through the house all day. Which is another thing I love about Christmas. I love Christmas music. I know some people can't stand it, or they get sick of it after Dec. 4, but I love it. I actually have been trying to find every genre of Christmas music I can find on Spotify (which has also become one of my favorites). I've been listening to classic Christmas music, jazzy, more contemporary (thank you Michael Buble), and much more. I'm open to any and all suggestions as well.
Outside of the decorations and the music, what I really love about Christmas is spending time with friends and family. Again, I know of several people who hate all the extra parties and business of the season, but I love it. I really enjoy getting to spend a little bit of time with people I perhaps will only see that once in a year. It's also really fun to exchange gifts. I'm a big fan of the anticipation of "what am I getting this year?" I'm an even bigger fan of seeing people with that anticipation of something I (or Anna and I) have gotten them.
The Christmas season also has inspired many-a great Christmas movie. On the top of my list is A Christmas Story. The greatest Christmas movie out there. I also really enjoy Elf and A Christmas Vacation. I'm laughing just thinking about all the great one-liners and scenes from those movies. Hilarious. "I hope you find your dad." "Thanks Mr. Narwal." Classic.
There is also one other perk I really like about Christmas. I have been incredibly blessed to be married into a family who takes a trip somewhere warm every Christmas break. We get to spend a week of time with my mother-in-law's whole side of the family (getting up to 50 people now) somewhere tropical. It's awesome. A week of relaxing, reading, doing fun activities, and once again, spending time with those I only get to see once, maybe twice, a year.
Take away the trip, the gifts, and the lights, I would still love Christmas because I get to spend time with those I love. But please don't take away those things...I really like those too.
So for all of you out there, crank up the Christmas tunes, turn on the lights, or throw in a Christmas movie, and allow yourself to be swept up in the magic of Christmas. Spend some extra time with those you don't get to see very often. Give a gift to someone you love and/or appreciate.
From Anna and I, have a very Merry Christmas season (or Hannukuh, or Festivus) and a Happy New Year!
p.s I hate the Christmas crowds and extra traffic more than occupiers hate rich people.