Editor's Notebook: Here's What Christmas Means to Me

Holidays are always what you make of them. It doesn't matter what time of year, or what the holiday is "supposed" to be about.

Holidays are more about how a person feels about them and what those feelings cause that person to do.

The Fourth of July makes many people reflect on their own patriotism. Though it's supposed to be about our country's independence, it brings to mind in many people's hearts those who are currently in the armed forces. It also brings up memories of loved ones who may have passed away while defending

Halloween may be about scary movies and macabre decorations to some, but many associate it with the feeling they get from walking around on a brisk fall day or night.

And for many people, myself included, no holiday brings out personal feelings more than Christmas.

Myself, Christmas is as much about those around me than the decor or weather. Full disclosure, I am a practicing Catholic and I celebrate and appreciate Christmas in a religious fashion.

But my feelings and thoughts on Christmas spill out from that aspect to so many others. It's the goofy things my sisters and I did growing up in a household that my parents made about togetherness and tradition more than the gifts – though the gift part spurred its own special traditions.

It's spending my first Christmas with the girl I've been hoping for since I knew what the concept of love was. Sitting in front of a fire talking about past, current, and future Christmases with her.

The smell of Waverly Place on any of these past few days, with snow in the air and a warm and inviting tree to symbolize the season.

But when it comes down to it, those physical things are just that. They are symbols for those of us who have a connection to this particular holiday. They mean something different to each of us, represent a different feeling, and are utilized in different manners.

So during this holiday season, weather it was on Thanksgiving or Hanukkah, now on Christmas, or soon on New Years, try to reflect on what it is that makes you feel the way you do.

Happy Holidays to everyone, and thank you for making Patch and myself a part of your community during this special time of year.