The Christmas ads are out and holiday movies have started airing on TV. There is no question that the holiday season is upon us, even if you are of the “it’s not the holidays until after Thanksgiving” school. Personally, I have already been listening to Christmas music for two weeks. Judge me if you will, but I just love Christmas. However, the season can get stressful, with all the shopping, wrapping, and visiting that great aunt that likes to tell you that you look like you put on a few pounds. It is in these times, especially, that we need to remember what we love about the holidays, and why, despite a few drawbacks, we look forward to the season with the eager anticipation of, well, a kid on Christmas Eve. So, without further ado, here are a few things that make the holiday season, to me, the most wonderful time of the year:

1. Thanksgiving

Though I have admitted that I don’t wait until after Turkey Day to get my holiday cheer on (or, for that matter, my holiday decorations up), I still see Thanksgiving as the official kickoff of the holidays, the first big hoorah. Besides this symbolic status, I love Thanksgiving for what it is in itself: a time to gather with family and friends, be thankful for what we have, cook all day, eat until we are stuffed, then watch football while eating pie (because there is always room for pie).

2. Black Friday

I know there are a lot of people who would rather gnaw off their right arm than go shopping on Black Friday, but I love it. For me, it’s as much a spectator sport as a means of snapping up the best deals. If you have never been, you should go at least once to see what it’s all about. If nothing else, the people watching opportunities are unparalleled. What other day of the year do you get to see three generations of the women of a family wearing matching, custom printed Black Friday t-shirts and fanny packs, or a mob of frenzied soccer moms practically trampling the poor guy who was sent to open the doors at the toy store? Grab some coffee, make a game plan and get out there!

3. Gift Giving

When I was a kid, Christmas was all about getting gifts. As I have gotten older, I have grown to enjoy watching my family and friends unwrap the presents I gave them as much, if not more than, unwrapping my own. I love going out shopping, with Christmas music playing in every store, and finding the perfect gift. Or, in some cases, making the perfect gift. Whether it is jewelry for my Mom, or simply cookies and homemade candies for my landlord’s kids, I just love giving a gift that makes someone smile.

4. Hot Cocoa

Not too hot, extra chocolate, shaken, not stirred (bonus points if you know what holiday movie this line is from). I know that hot cocoa is not necessarily a holiday exclusive, but there is just something about sipping a steaming mug of homemade cocoa (not from a box) while wrapping presents and watching Elf that makes it taste ten times better.

5. Christmas shopping with my Dad

I love my Dad, but when it comes to getting gifts for my Mom he has a less than perfect track record. I know my Mom’s taste better than anyone, so ever since I can remember my Dad and I have gone on a shopping trip together a couple days before Christmas. Usually he gets out of work early and we spend the afternoon and evening together picking out and buying presents for my Mom, only slowing down to enjoy some hot chocolate with extra whipped cream at Starbucks.

6. Traditions

Family or community traditions are one of the greatest parts of the holidays. The fact that we take such care to preserve these traditions is a testament to how special this time of year really is. Traditions can be simple or complex, rooted in history or brand new. My favorite family tradition is our celebration of Christmas Eve. Every year, we make clam chowder for dinner, take a family picture with the camera’s self timer, then go to the candlelight service at church. When we get home, we put on our Christmas pajamas, heat up mugs of chowder for seconds, and my Dad makes everyone a glass of eggnog. Then, we open all the presents under the tree. Both my Mom and Dad both opened presents Christmas Eve while growing up, so it was a natural tradition to carry on.

I could add a lot more, but I’ll spare you from more of my rambling and save a few for another post. What are some things you love about the holiday season?