What's Your Favorite Holiday?????

We all have favorite holidays. Some favor Halloween and I have known a few that love 4th of July and Valentines Day. Everyone has a reason for their favorite holiday whether it be pleasant memories they may associate with it, the way it is celebrated, or the meaning behind it.

My favorite happens to be Christmas. Yeah, I know most people dislike Christmas because of the hustle and bustle and commercialism of it all. But Christmas has not always been that way..or at least when you're a kid you don't recognize that part of it. When I think about Christmas as a child I can always bring myself back to those exciting days of anticipation, festivities, and spirit.

I think I choose Christmas as my favorite holiday because of the memories I associate with it. It was the only time of year, besides our birthday, that was made special for me and my brother.

Then there were the Christmas parties and programs at school. Gift exchanges, caroling, and Christmas goodies. The Catholic school I went to as a child always had a way of making any holiday special and I carry fond memories of them all.

It was exciting for me when we went to the mall to see all the decorations and sit on Santa's lap...which I always found traumatic I might add. Then there was always the Christmas parade at the mall where they actually threw candy canes and Hershey kisses.

On a Friday night before Christmas my parents would grab us a treat at Dairy Queen and then ride around and look at the fancy neighborhoods Christmas decorations.

Then there were always the Christmas specials like The Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, Charlie Brown and my favorite The Walton's Christmas special. I can remember me and my brother lying on the floor in front of the T.V. watching the specials with the lights turned off and only the Christmas tree lights illuminating giving it that Christmas feel.

I can remember a few times also going to midnight mass. As tired as I was I always enjoyed listening to the choir sing Silent Night and Oh Holy Night and it echoing down from the balcony in that huge stained glass church.

Yes, I love Christmas....but somehow, somewhere along the way, it's just not the same as it was when I was a kid...