All I Want for Christmas

You rustle in your warm, bundled bed hoping that the sun has already made it over the edge of the horizon; that means it's not too early. You slide out of bed and ready yourself, knowing that the wood floor is going to be chilly on your toes. As soon as your feet meet the floor you tiptoe, tiptoe, tiptoe towards the cracked bedroom door where you pause to see if any other life is moving outside. Down the hall your parents are still sound asleep; you tiptoe, tiptoe, tiptoe into their room. Why did they always seem to be so tired on these mornings? You tug at their sleeves until they start to slip out of slumber and peer at you through very sleepy slits, "Mom? Dad?" Though they are tired, the excitement and anticipation on your face is enough to pull gentle and understanding smiles to the surface. Slowly but surely they drag themselves out from under the warm, winter comforter and down the stairs.

Adorned in fuzzy slippers and robes, they slink to the kitchen where they seem to move at the speed of cold molasses to get their coffee (an early morning essential). Cookies? . Gone. Milk? .Gone. When they finally arrive in the living room, the fresh scent of spruce seems to awaken their senses. You are sitting anxiously on the floor in painful anticipation. The gift-wrapped boxes next to you suggest that the man in the red suit has already come and gone, and the promises that were made were kept.

Christmas: one of the most highly anticipated holidays. Those young and old can appreciate the joy and happiness that seems to be brought out in the spirit of Christmas. Millions of families wake up to presents under their choice of evergreens. Of course Christmas traditions stem from the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and the gifts that were presented to him on that day.

Today new traditions and more contemporary routes are being taken by families to celebrate Christmas. Sophomore Emily Van Daniker said she looks to the Christmas tree as a non-religious symbol. "It just means Christmas," said Van Daniker.

Senior Jake D. Ambrose settles down with his family on Christmas Eve to open one gift per person, while junior Josh L'Etoile, said his family always has Chinese food on Christmas Eve. "It's actually a really weird tradition," he said, but "it is by far my favorite." Van Daniker said that her family never opens presents on Christmas Eve, and furthermore, she is not allowed to open presents before 8 a.m. on the actual day.

After tearing through the mounds of generosity and sitting among the various sparkling ribbons and crinkled paper it's time for the next stage of Christmas. You have already picked out your new favorites and proceed to play on the living room floor while Christmas inspired tunes play in background.

The more common songs like "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bells" are classic favorites, but Van Daniker likes the holiday pop offerings from "N-Sync and Mariah Carey. Last year it was Clay Aiken's Christmas."

All around town families are getting into the Christmas mood as they flip the switches on their sparkling lights to warm the soul and remind the neighbors of the time of year. Aromas of sugar cookies shaped like Christmas trees and apple pie fills the air as family chatter floats out of the kitchen. These same sounds and smells remind you every year that it is, indeed, Christmas.

"I love Christmas lights!" said Ambrose (the statement clearly deserving of the exclamation point). "Lights in trees, on houses, around furniture, in the yard." Reminders of Christmas are different for everybody: the sounds, the smells, the tastes. Cookies are definitely on L'Etoile's list of reminiscent scents, along with the chill of cold weather. Van Daniker said, "If it wasn't cold, it wouldn't feel like Christmas".

Droves of family then emerge through the front door bringing the crisp air along with them. As they unload gifts from their overburdened arms, Mom and Dad rush to the door to greet them as your little feet slap across the floor to beat them. The greeting period continues as your relatives pull off their shoes and thaw out. Even as a small child, strong hugs and warm feelings for the ones that you've missed and even those you've never met rush through your heart to once again remind you of the season.

Ambrose described his Christmas as "laid back," but with an obvious love for the holiday he recalled that he and his family spend the day "enjoying the presents and watching movies." In the festive gathering, Ambrose includes his close family plus Sammy, Marshall and Maddie, his dogs. L'Etoile is fortunate enough to have his family in close proximity and said that on Christmas Day "everybody in my family is there." Van Daniker also includes her close family and pets in her holiday guest list.

The scents of Christmas dinner grow stronger as the day grows shorter. Soon the feast is set in front of the family as you sit and wait for all to be represented at the table.

"Pumpkin pie," said VanDaniker, as she tapped her chin while internally cataloging all of the treats placed on the table to find her favorite.

"Peanut butter cookies and those cookies with the Hershey's kiss in the middle. Then there's a spiral sliced ham, rolls, pies, red and green M&M's." Ambrose continued, as he listed all of the wonderful bounties that he enjoys every holiday season.

With the tick of the clock threatening the Christmas spirit, it is bittersweet when the sun's gleam begins to wane. In years past and in years to come you understand empty plates and exhausted sighs as the signal of the end of Christmas Day. And with the day at a close, after you are tucked tightly into your bed once again, you realize that all you want for Christmas is another Christmas like today.