'twas the Night Before Christmas

I have always loved the Christmas season. Though our culture has shifted the focus of this holiday to the commercial end of things, there's still something about Christmas that makes me smile. I think it has something to do with the lights. Seeing bright (if slightly tacky) light displays everywhere gives me a really funny, happy feeling. It always has. However, I think my absolute favorite part of the season is Christmas trees. The smell, the lights, the ornaments, I love everything about them. Whenever I'm feeling sad in December, I like to turn on the Christmas tree and just sit with it in an otherwise dark room. Something about it is incredibly calming to me. Yes, I know I'm strange. 

Christmas Eve is such an exciting day. You can feel it in the air, no matter where you are; last minute Christmas shopping, the smell of baking cookies, Christmas parties full of laughter (and screaming children). In my household, we spent a good part of the day together putting together Harry Potter lego sets to arrange around the base of the Christmas tree. As non-traditional as we are, it was still great fun! Even though the dog kept dropping her soggy toys all over the pieces and the cat kept sitting on them, we were still successful and our arrangement looks quite lovely, if I do say so myself. 

Now, all that's left is to fall asleep so that Santa can come to visit! Though it's against my normal sleep schedule, I mean to try! I love the excitement of coming downstairs on Christmas morning! It's something I'm not sure I'll ever outgrow! 

Merry Christmas, everyone! No matter your faith, I wish you happiness!