Christmas as a college student is a lot different than it was when we were younger and living at home. When we were in elementary school, everything was magical at Christmas. We got ready for Santa to come by being extra good and writing our letters. We got stoked to put our favorite ornaments on the tree every year. We baked cookies at Grandma’s and ended the day on the couch watching movies, still sick from all the sugar we ingested. We had butterflies in our stomach for weeks before Christmas wondering what Santa would bring us.
On Christmas eve, we were either dying to get to sleep because we thought Santa knows when you’re awake and won’t come, or we couldn’t fall asleep because we were too excited and a part of us really wanted to catch him in the act. And on Christmas morning, we woke our parents up at inhumane hours because we just could not wait any longer to see what was waiting for us under the tree. Now that we’re out of the house, Christmas looks a little different.
For me, the past couple Christmases have brought mixed emotions. On the one hand, it means so much because we get to go home and decorate the tree with our families, decorate cookies, and spend time with the people that mean so much. We work hard all semester to get to go home for three weeks and celebrate with our loved ones. The magic is still there, just in a different way. On the other hand, it’s really hard. For most of the holiday season, we’re at school, and while JCU does a beautiful job of decorating, there really is no place like home for the holidays. Beyond that, there’s the uncertainty of what our holidays are going to look like in the future. If you’re anything like me, it freaks you out that you don’t know how many more Christmas mornings you’re going to wake up in your bed at your parents’ house and open presents at your childhood home. It’s scary to think that Christmas for us is changing.
So what does Christmas mean to a college student? Simply: Nostalgia. Comfort. Magic. So much is changing for college students. In our lives right now, so much is undetermined. We cling to Christmas, because it reminds us of childhood when things were easier. Everything was magical. Everything about Christmas got us so excited it gave us butterflies. And now, Christmas rewards us for all the hard work we’ve put in all semester. We get to finally come home, spend time with our families, and not worry about schoolwork. But there’s that flipside. The side of Christmas where we can’t help but think, how much longer do I get to keep the Christmas of my childhood? I’m telling you, forget that side.
Last Christmas, my mom bought this block that says “At Christmas, all roads lead home.” This has been somewhat eye-opening for me. I’m constantly worrying about losing the magic of Christmas that I get by spending it at home with my family. Truth is, no matter where life leads me, I know that I will still be able to find the magic of Christmas at home. I’ll be able to find it at my mom’s house, my dad’s house, my grandparents’ house, and the house I make for myself no matter what the locations of these places end up being.
Christmas songs are constantly reminding us of the importance of home at Christmas time: “There’s no place like home for the holidays …” “I’ll be home for Christmas…” and so forth. I’m going to take it a step further and remind everyone that what makes home special are the people there. As your Christmas traditions change, as long as you are surrounded by people that you love and that love you, you’ll always have the magic of Christmas you crave. Even if you don’t wake up in the same place you did as a kid, Christmas can still always give you the nostalgia, the comfort, and the magic that Christmas gives you now.
Have a safe and relaxing winter break and have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from everyone at Her Campus JCU!