Assignment 14 - Maddie Klumb

Thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday. It involves waking up early, working hard making food all day, and awkward family discussions. Instead, I enjoy the Christmas holiday. Every day of December I wear a different pair of Christmas earrings. I begin to listen to Christmas music before it even comes on the radio for the season. For my family the spirit of the holiday goes beyond the religious origin. Christmas is a time to reflect on the year and spend time with family. Exchanging gifts is a show of appreciation for one another and not just something to do because society expects it. My family normally has three trees: normal, handmade (ornaments), and snowman. Every year we cut and decorate at least one tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. Christmas Eve, we go to church with my grandpa, then we go home and open one present (always pajamas). Christmas morning we open presents then eat a large breakfast. Later in the day we gather at my grandpa's house with the rest of my extended family and eat, exchange presents, and play games. The day after Christmas we drive to St. Louis to do the same with my Dad's side of the family.