What the Holidays Mean to Me

I love the holiday season. It is, without question, my favorite time of the year. When I saw this available topic I snagged it almost immediately. After reading the description, I learned that I'm supposed to write about one particularly funny story or memorable moment that has happened to me during this time of year. I've decided to go a different route, though. Don't be mad, Associated Content. I still love you.

To me, the holidays mean making the two-minute drive to my Aunt Judy's on Christmas Eve. I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania. Luckily for me, almost my entire family lived within 20 minutes of us. This meant a full house for every special occasion. Christmas Eve was no different. Even though we lived about a mile away from my aunt, it was still cool to see all the decorated houses as we drove through town.

The holidays mean playing ping pong in the basement of my aunt's house. I began playing before I could even see over the top of the table. Somehow, though, I never lost as a kid. Never.

The holidays mean my aunt making Bagel Bites as appetizers and me finishing an entire plate of them. Don't laugh. Those things are delicious.

The holidays mean a full family room and a large tree with presents for the entire family under it. Sure, it's crowded with about two dozen people sitting throughout the room opening presents. We never seem to mind.

The holidays mean making Christmas candy with Emily. What exactly do I mean by "Christmas candy?" Check out my Christmas in July article to find out.

The holidays mean listening to Christmas music. Everywhere. In the car. At home. At work. It's not just that we listen to Christmas music. We begin around the first week of November and that's only if we get a late start that year. What can I say? Em and I love our Christmas music.

The holidays mean peppermint mocha lattes from Starbucks. Every single one I have is worth the month and a half it drains from my life.