Three More "Shopping Days"

Well, the title says it all. Three more days until the best day out of all 365 days in a year. (Really, there's not too much of a difference between Christmas, and birthdays, but people seem to prefer Christmas. Maybe it's the whole Christmas tree shindig.) I am happy to say that I've gotten all my shopping done... well, most of it was done by my parents. Heck, all of it was done by my parents. I just chose what I wanted to get for my little brothers, and then I went shopping for mom with dad, and I didn't have much say in what to get either, because we already had a list planned out. And, of course, I paid for nothing. Lucky me!

Don't get me wrong, I'm a pretty giving guy. (Or, at least I like to think that) I just never seem to have the money to spend graciously on other people. (Maybe I should stop blowing it all on video games, and crap I don't need.)

Anyway, Christmas has always been my favorite day of the year, along with the many people I mentioned above. I love getting together with my aunt Patti, and grandparents on Christmas Eve, and waking up at five o` clock every morning, agonizing at the gift-filled stocking laid just outside my door, watching the clock until it reads 7:00, and then running into my mom's room, with my brothers, and opening our stockings on our parents' bed, and then running downstairs to see what's been left under the tree by "Santa", and then going up to Gramma's house, and opening more presents, and having a steady-dieted breakfast of sugar-filled pastries, such as danishes, and muffins (are muffins even considered pastries?), and heading home to use all our new stuff.
Did I get everything?
Oh, almost forgot- every year, the day after Christmas (Dec. 26), we have our family holiday, "Pajama Day", in which we stay in our pajamas all day, and use our new stuff. Unfortunately, this day will be delayed this year due to another Christmas party we must attend, along with Pa's side of the family. But, at least we'll get more presents. (I know what you're thinking; "Hey, what happened to 'I'm a pretty giving guy'?" Don't blame me, you know you like getting presents too.)
Oh yeah, did I mention it snowed here?
A lot?
Yeah, we've got about two, or three feet of snow here, and that's why the party was delayed. Looks like it's gonna be a "white Christmas".

Another thing about Christmas; we no longer have any Santa-believers in this household. Jack and Mike were told the truth last month, and it's kind of sad that there's no one left here to spread the "magic" with. Well, there are my little cousins, Nick, Noah, Ava, and Mia, but, you know what I mean.
I still remember the night I was told about Santa. I was the same age as my brothers, nine. I think it was in early December, and I saw a few commercials with "Santa" in them while watching TV with Mom, and I asked-

"Mom?"
"What?"
"Is Santa real?"
"What do you think?"
I didn't know how to answer. I guess I was beginning to catch on. I mean, the whole "flying-reindeer" thing, and "getting-to-every-house-in-the-world" shenanigans was beginning to sound a little too great to be true. I was almost ten, after all.
Later that night, Mom came in to tuck me into bed, and told me the truth. I don't remember the whole conversation, but I do remember crying. I felt as if someone dear to me had just died. I'd believed in Santa with all my heart, and now he's been ripped away from my imagination.
Of course, I eventually got over it. I enjoyed keeping Santa alive in my little brothers' imaginations, and even almost let the truth slip through my lips. It was a couple years ago, and I had gotten something I really wanted from "Santa", and I yelled-
"Thanks, Mom!"
She gave me a look, and said, "I didn't get that for you!"
I blushed, and said, "Oh, yeah, I forgot."
I guess we're both pretty good actors, because Jack and Mike didn't seem to mind my sudden outburst.

So, now you know a little more about what Christmas means to me. I'd love to hear what your favorite parts of Christmas are! Leave a comment!

So, hope you're having a great Christmas season (or a great Hanukkah... or Kwanzaa. Speaking of which, did you know Jewish people get eight times the presents during Hanukkah? Well, technically. The holiday lasts eight freaking days!)

Yours in awesomeness,
~Ry.