As Christmas gets closer, it is easy to get absorbed in the fast pace of the season and wonder how it managed to sneak up on us so quickly.

  The holiday season sort of feels like the opening scene of ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas,’ with all of the Whos in Whoville scampering around with presents piled high and panicking because Christmas is getting closer.

  Like many others, I do not feel as prepared as I would like to be for the holidays, but I am not as concerned as I would have been in years past.

  This year especially, I am simply grateful for what we do have.

  In years past, it was easy to get caught up in making sure that I had the right gift for each member of my family or worrying that a specific gift was sold out before I had the chance to purchase it.

  As a kid, I remember spending countless Black Fridays with my mom staying out past midnight, in long lines in the freezing cold, hoping to find a certain gift on our Christmas list.

  But, in the grand scheme of things, I am realizing my previous holiday concerns simply do not matter as much.

  Instead of stressing as Christmas gets closer, I think of past Christmases and smile at what the holidays have looked like for my family over the years.

  Christmas for my family has always been quiet. As we do not have any grandparents, or any that are nearby, we do not really have Christmas gatherings.

  As children, on Christmas Day, my brother and I would wake up unnecessarily early, wake our bleary-eyed parents, and wait at the top of the stairs with bated breath until we got the all clear to run downstairs and see what Santa brought us. It’s a miracle we never tripped over each other and tumbled down the stairs in our rush!

  Now, we sleep in until we can sleep no more and eventually make our way downstairs and enjoy the day together when we are more well-rested. As adults, the holiday break from work or school is so appealing and sleeping past dawn is our goal, no matter what holiday is taking place.

  Now that we’ve added cats to the mix of our Christmas routine, we enjoy their reactions to the wrapping paper and tissue paper that gets thrown all over the room for them to tear to pieces.

  We’ve got to give the cats some form of enjoyment come Christmas Day, as we spend the entirety of our Christmas holiday shooing them, to no avail, out of our decorated Christmas tree.

  As for the Christmas tree decorations, my mom has done a wonderful job these past few years making ornaments to decorate the tree. Last year’s tree featured handmade Red, White and Blue ornaments. This year’s ornaments are gnomes of all beard lengths!

  On Christmas Day, we stay home eating amazing food, playing games, watching movies, and just enjoying being with each other. No matter our ages, this one thing has remained consistent.

  Although we have spent a lot of time together this year especially, I am still looking forward to our quiet Christmas at home.

  Movies on my Christmas Day list include vintage classics, like ‘Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,’ ‘Frosty the Snowman,’ and ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.’ More recent films are also included, as Christmas is not complete without us watching ‘Elf’ and ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ starring Jim Carey.

  As for Christmas wishes, those have even changed as the years have progressed.

  When we were children, my brother and I asked for material things we believed we could not live without. As adults, we are asking for things we cannot find in stores or while shopping online. We are completely content to just be with one another this Christmas.

  None of us have any specific thing we want for Christmas, so the surprise and lack of expectation or anticipation will be so welcome.

  (Although, if you’re reading this mom, I’d love some warm fuzzy socks and chocolate! … Just kidding!)

  I understand Christmas is special and unique for each family and I hope that you enjoy the holiday season with one another. I hope that you cherish your special memories and remember that the true reason for the season is Jesus Christ above all.

  If you do not have any cherished holiday traditions, I encourage you to make some for your family to enjoy. The traditions will surely create lasting memories and fill you all with happiness! 

  I hope you all have a merry Christmas!

  Erin Lopez recently graduated from Georgia College & State University with a Mass Communication major and too many minors. She loves to read, binge Netflix shows, and spend lots of time with her five cats.