My mom began dressing our trees in lights, I was confused. Then she started listening to Christmas music, I began to worry. Why was she doing this so early? I bet you were just as shocked as I was when I did a double take to the calendar. Because it was probably December 1^st. Christmas snuck up on us once again.

Well, you better get out those ornaments, -get a tree first- then put the ornaments on the tree. Unless you get a fake tree, that’s fine. But it better be a good fake tree. Refine your caroling skills because the time is nigh. Bust out the Santa hats, the reindeer antlers, and the mistletoe because… I think you understand my point. Preparation for Christmas is a lengthy process that leads up all the way to Christmas Eve.

I believe the true hype of Christmas, other than the fact that it falls on winter break, is compelled by anticipation building up before the big day. It is the advent calendars, -which I still have, and I don’t regret- the peppermint bark, the candy canes of every flavor you’ve never heard of and more, the decorative lights, the Christmas lists, the presents… I could go on!

But how could any of those things happen without family? Believe it or not, Santa Claus isn’t the only one that makes Christmas special. Take a moment this Christmas to thank your family, and Santa if you so desire, for all that they have done for you.

And if you do not celebrate Christmas, then that is totally fine, whatever it is that you celebrate, or if you do not celebrate anything at all, just take this wintry time to give them as much love as you can. And that should shed the true meaning of Christmas.