It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

From my experience as a gullible child, knowing that there was a Santa Claus gave me so much to look forward to in the Christmas season. I would make sure my siblings and I wrote wish lists to Santa, had milk and cookies sitting by the chimney for him on Christmas Eve, be in bed as early as possible, and of course, be good.

When Christmas Day came around, I had to be one of the most ecstatic kids in America. I would wake up my fellow siblings to get them ready and excited for Christmas morning like a football mascot pumps up the players before a game. Plus, I would be dressed and freshened up in a blink of an eye. I’d have to admit that I thought my parents were the Scrooges. They would make us wait for them to get up and ready before we could open presents. That would temporarily kill my excitement, and I would think it was child torture. Now that I am older, I understand why they would have specific rules for us kids.

[one_third]My parents had and still have the hardest jobs during the Christmas season. [/one_third]

My parents had and still have the hardest jobs during the Christmas season. They have to buy our gifts beforehand, know where to hide the presents, secretly read our Christmas wish lists, place the presents by the chimney on Christmas Eve, and so much more. I didn’t realize this until two years ago. That was also a devastating time for me because I became more aware of who Santa really was, and ever since then I have been trying to keep this secret from my younger brothers. Yikes! I wonder when it will be their time to find out?

Today, Christmas gives me a different form of excitement. This year, my friends and I decided to start an annual Secret Santa breakfast. For our very first breakfast this year, we will be exchanging gifts with each other then having a nice breakfast. I like this because we will be able to get presents, save money, and have time to spend with each other every year.

Another thing I love about Christmas is that my belief in Santa Claus can still be relived through my brothers and cousins. When they talk about what they want, how they’ve been acting good for Santa, and how excited they are for Christmas, I will be brought back to the time when I didn’t know the “Big Secret,” and I’ll love it.

Although what I know about Christmas has changed, I’m not only happy to get presents and food at Christmas, but grateful for my family and friends for bringing joy and laughter to every day of my life.

Image credit: Santa Claus hand puppet carrying a sack. Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest.