Here Are Our Top 10 Favorite Ways to Celebrate the Holiday Season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and we love celebrating it. No matter where you’re from, most of us participate in similar family traditions. Here are 10 of our favorites:

1)    Decorating

I don’t know about your house, but at mine, Christmas decorating is an all-day event. We send the boys out in the yard to set up the lights, wreaths and yard décor. Meanwhile, the ladies make sure the interior is filled with Christmas cheer. After this, we all take turns decorating the tree with the ornaments we’ve accumulated throughout the years. However, an average of five ornaments fail to survive the decorating process. 

2)    Looking at Lights

Is it really Christmastime if you don’t see your neighbors’ obnoxiously decorated home? You know, the one that rivals Clark Griswold’s? You’ll drive there with family, friends or your Christmas crush and crank your favorite carols. And of course, there’s always that one house that has their display synchronized to a local radio station. 

3)    Secret Santa

You’re making a list and checking it twice to make sure you didn’t forget anyone. Whether you’re playing with friends or family, this Christmas classic is one of the best ways to show people a little extra love. Toss the names in a hat and draw to see whose secret Santa you are. Whether you’re serving the person with good deeds or getting them a special gift, it’s always a fun way to surprise someone you care about.

4)    Elf on the Shelf

No matter how old you are, your seasonal friend, the Elf on the Shelf, just keeps coming back in town. In your parents’ eyes, you will never outgrow this tradition, and they’re keeping a careful eye on you to make sure you don’t move him or pick him up — especially not in front of younger family members. You don’t want him to lose his magic, after all.

5)    Holiday Movies

Nothing gets us in the mood for the holiday season quite like ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas. Whether it’s “Elf,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” or “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” it seems that our families are always around the T.V. throughout December as we enjoy these iconic seasonal movies.

6)    One Present on Christmas Eve

Your anticipation for Christmas morning builds up higher than the chimney Santa will soon slide down. Sensing this, your parents have mercy and allow you to open just one present on Christmas Eve.

7)    Making Cookies for Santa

Does Santa get enough cookies from other families across the world? Absolutely. Is your family still going to make him some? Of course. You won’t complain though because you can always take a few for yourself. You’ll probably wake up the next morning to see some crumbs left over. Santa’s a messy eater.

8)    Waiting to Open Gifts

If your parents are anything like mine, they love to let your anticipation rise, and then they make you stay in your room until the whole family is awake. Meanwhile, they prepare cameras to capture the magical moment of faces lighting up when they see what Santa brought. Even if you’re older, they’ll still want you to hold tight in your room until the big reveal. After all, you’re never too old for a little Christmas magic.

9)    Christmas Breakfast

It’s the best breakfast of the year, filled with yummy foods and Christmas cheer. You may get to spend it with your extended family, which is awesome because more people means more food. But, of course, the quality time spent together is even better.

10)  Church with Family

It’s important to remember the reason for the season. Whether you go Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, it’s a good way to refocus on why and who you’re celebrating.

No matter what you do with your family over the holiday season, I’m sure we have all experienced at least a few of these Christmas traditions. As cliché as it is, it truly is a magical time of the year. Whether you include any of these traditions in your Christmas season or not, be sure to show your loved ones how much you appreciate and love them, and as always,

Be well, Auburn.

Photography: Julia B.