It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Everywhere you go.

On Tuesday, Kristy K James told us why she loves winter the best of all four seasons. I'm totally with her on that. Winter is awesome. But I'm going to narrow it down a bit further. My most favorite time of year is the Christmas season, that time between the big turkey day and the day just before you break all your New Year's resolutions.

Miss Josephine's First Christmas

Yes, I know. Many of you just went "Bah Humbug!" I get that a lot, especially from my family. And I simply don't understand it. Christmas is a wonderful time of year. You get all the benefits of winter that Kristy discussed, but you also get so much more.

Music

Christmas music is by far the happiest music you can find (most of the time). Sure, there are some really sad Christmas songs, but for the most part, they're joyful, peppy, and talk of all the great things that happen around this time of year. And the closer you get to the Big Day, the more songs you get to hear!

Lights

Christmas lights make everything prettier. There's a reason rednecks keep their lights up all year long. Christmas lights are beautiful, no matter where you're from. All over the US (and maybe the world, though I've never been outside the States on Christmas), lights are strung on eaves, trees, fences, and pretty much anywhere a really long extension cord can reach. They can be super simple and lovely, or really complex and showy.

Charity

Like it or not, people are a gazillion times more generous around this time of year. And it's completely understandable. The weather is typically colder and with our wallets stretched to breaking trying to afford gifts for everyone we've ever talked to, we realize how fortunate we are to complain about such trivial things. We start to think about how lucky we are to have a roof over our heads and large warm meals in our bellies. And we want to share that with others who aren't so fortunate. Classrooms all across the country have boxes to collect canned goods for families in their community, or toys and clothing for needy children. People are by far more willing to open their wallets around Christmas time.

The Gifts

"It is better to give than to receive" may be a popular saying, but seriously, who doesn't look forward to getting a few presents on Christmas? I know I look forward to it all year. There is something really special about seeing those beautifully wrapped presents under the tree, even if you already know what's in them. They don't even have to be expensive, amazingly awesome presents. Heck, I think the best part of Christmas is getting to open my stocking. It usually contains a toothbrush, toothpaste, chapstick, and a bunch of candy I don't need. Nothing special, really. But it's still something I wait for all year. If my mom ever stopped making me a stocking, I would be very sad indeed.

Everyone's Invited

You don't even have to be a Christian to enjoy Christmas anymore. Though the meaning is still there for most people, the more secular bits are quickly being embraced by people of all religions. Christmas trees, Santas, candy canes. It's becoming more and more common to see a menorah sitting on the mantle beside a figure of Ol' Saint Nick. "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Hanukkah" are said in the same sentence and "Christmakwanzakah" could very well make its way into the dictionary in the near future. 

So there you have it. Christmas. It's prettier, people tend to be in a better mood (unless they're shopping or actually at a family party), and it's generally a joyous time of year. It's my favorite time of year. Hands down.

 So what's your favorite part about Christmas? The cookies? The candy? Or one of the numerous other things I just didn't have space to list?