When considering the topic for this essay, I had numerous thoughts. Nowadays, there are countless holidays that can be overwhelming.
Interestingly, today is February 7th, which is recognized as both “Send a card to a friend day” and “Wave all your fingers at your friends’ day.” However, these specific days are not widely celebrated.
On the other hand, more significant holidays such as the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, New Years, etc., exist. While these holidays hold importance, they are not my personal favorites nor do I eagerly anticipate them throughout the year.
The holiday that holds a special place in my heart is Christmas because it stands out from the rest and means more to me than just another ordinary day.
Christmas has a special meaning to me because it brings about warm and comforting emotions, even though I also recognize and take part in other holidays such as Thanksgiving and New Years. The holiday holds different significance for each individual. Initially, Christmas was established to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, with the tradition of gift-giving originating from the presentation of gifts to him upon his arrival. However, nowadays this aspect is often overlooked, and many primarily see Christmas as an opportunity for excessive spending. Children find Christmas enchanting because it is when Santa Claus delivers presents worldwide based on their behavior throughout the year.
While many people view Christmas as a time for giving, I personally prioritize a different aspect. Being away from home in the Marine Corps for the past four years has made me realize what I truly miss about Christmas time. Although there is a general sense of Christmas spirit and the exchange of gifts, along with the abundance of cookies and food everywhere, it lacks the special feeling of being home. The presence of family and the familiar aromas of my sister’s freshly baked cookies and my mom’s famous breakfast casserole on Christmas morning are what make being home for Christmas truly special to me.
To truly feel the Christmas spirit, it is crucial for me to have sparkling white snow on the ground in Northern New York. The beaches of North Carolina cannot create the same festive atmosphere. In my family, we typically celebrate Christmas at home with only my Mother, father, brother and sister. Our day usually starts with the inviting scent of my mother’s breakfast casserole wafting through the house. After enjoying our meal, we spend the rest of the day gathered around the Christmas tree exchanging a few gifts and watching the parade on TV. This rare occasion allows us to be together and appreciate each other’s presence as we engage in conversation.
By around one o’clock, my father’s snoring would fill the air, and soon after, the rest of us would also begin to nap. Christmas is a peaceful and leisurely day for our family, spent with loved ones. The most important part of Christmas to me is having family around. It’s a time when we should pause our daily routines and make spending quality time with relatives a priority. For many people, this may be their only opportunity to see certain family members all year. In my home, Christmas is a chance to relax, enjoy some cookies, exchange gifts, and cherish each other’s company.
As a child, I eagerly looked forward to receiving Christmas presents like all other kids. However, as I’ve gotten older, I have gained a deeper understanding of the true meaning of this holiday. This upcoming Christmas is especially important to me because it will be the first time in four years that my family and I will celebrate in the snow. Among the many holidays celebrated today, each with their own explanations and interpretations, Christmas often gets misunderstood. For me, the main reason for celebrating Christmas is the chance to be with loved ones. During this festive season, it would greatly benefit many people to pause and reflect on what truly matters.
