My First Christmas Not Living At Home

When growing up there comes a certain reaching point when its the first time you are away from home for the holidays. Unfortunately, this year is that year for me. I have always been one who starts Christmas back in October. Ask my family. At home I would always make my mom drag the Christmas decorations out as soon as possible. I loved the movies, the music, the lights. Everything. This year I have been having a hard time with being away for most of the "Holiday Season". I am able to go home for the actual holidays but I wont be there to help bake Christmas goodies and I didnt help with the tree or I wont get to watch my mom wrap. All of these things, as weird as it sounds, I love and miss very much! My favorite thing to do was to decorate and when we finished, and the house was clean, me and my mom sat with Christmas music playing and drank hot chocolate with all of the lights turned off and the Christmas lights on. She doesnt even have to question whether or not I will do it. As hard as it is being away, I had fun decorating my OWN place for Christmas. And I sure did sit with hot chocolate and listened to Christmas music while all the lights were off except my tree lights. It wasnt has meaningful alone as it is at home but the tradition still lives on. My mom got really mad at me when I told her I took the "Ugly Santa". This stupid Santa has been in our family since my oldest brother's first Christmas. It is the ugliest thing you will ever see in your life but it means alot to us kids. And I sure brought it home with me. At night when I'm really missing home and hate the fact that I'm up here, I lay on my couch and look at my tree and hug the "Ugly Santa". I absolutely love this time of year and I dont think I will ever grow out of it. I'm a kid at heart when it comes to Christmas. I cant wait!