It’s crazy that the fall semester is almost over. Students are preparing for finals and, before we know, winter break will be here. I cannot wait for the break to start and for the holiday spirit that comes with it. No matter how you celebrate, holidays are a chance for families to spend quality time together.

There is nothing better than stepping outside and feeling snowflakes hit your face while listening to the quietness that snow brings. Every year my dad says how it’s so peaceful outside when it snows, and he’s right. I’m hoping for snow because our campus looks so pretty with the white layer on the ground and in the trees. I’m always hoping for a white Christmas. Maybe this year it will happen.

Christmas is my favorite holiday. At one point in my life, I would have said it was because of gifts; however, I realize now that Christmas is my favorite holiday because of family traditions.

We always spend Christmas Eve at my grandma’s house with her real Christmas tree; we play games and laugh. My aunt, uncle, and cousins come over, as well.

My mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, great grandma, and I have Christmas at our house Christmas morning. Then my mom, dad and I go over to my dad’s side of the family which also hosts Christmas Eve along with my great aunt and uncle, and we exchange gifts with them on Christmas night.

I love the activities around Christmas – from looking at all the Christmas lights and decorations on people’s houses to drinking hot chocolate to watching Christmas movies to listening to Christmas music to building gingerbread houses to sledding down huge hills and to throwing snowballs at friends when they are not looking.

Winter and Christmas are times for joy and laughter at home and at school. Campus Life has done a wonderful job making sure the campus is in full holiday spirit from decorations to activities.

Misericordia is a cozy campus, but is even more so before winter break. I especially love it when I get to decorate my dorm room. This year we have a blow-up Grinch in our living room. He hasn’t caused any trouble so far but I will blame stolen Christmas items on him.

My favorite part of Christmas is when you get a great gift for someone and cannot wait to see their reaction. I hope you all are able to give a gift that makes you feel that wave of excitement because there is nothing like it.

I am thankful for my family, friends, school, and traditions because Christmas would not be the same without them.