(Featured Image: Pacer Graphic / Bethany Collins)

Everyone has different holiday traditions.

I love cozying up on the couch and watching Christmas movies; I watch at least one Christmas movie every day in December. This is just one of the many traditions that I love to do each year.

My mom’s birthday falls on Christmas Eve, and while some people might think that it would complicate things, it does not. We celebrate her birthday during the day with cake and presents. Then, later that night, we all open one present each. That present is always a set of pajamas that we put on before cozying up on the couch to watch It’s a Wonderful Life.

People also celebrate Christmas Eve differently. Some spend all day cooking Christmas dinner and eat their meal that night. A lot of people leave out milk and cookies for Santa, but some people change it up. I know some people who leave out cookies and Coca-Cola. Some people go out and look at Christmas lights, and some even open presents early. Everyone’s traditions are unique and fun.

For some, Christmas Day is when all the presents are under the tree, including Santa’s. People typically wake up early, especially if they have kids. Many have a specific order for what they do first on Christmas morning. Some eat breakfast—especially pancakes or waffles—first while some open presents right away.

Some people also like to go somewhere for Christmas. This can be a family member’s house or a fun destination. When I was a kid, we would always drive around eight hours to Missouri to celebrate Christmas with my grandparents.

Aside from having traditions on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, some people also have several traditions throughout the month of December. Some of my personal favorites are watching Christmas movies, driving around and looking at Christmas lights, making gingerbread houses and doing some last-minute Christmas shopping.

All the traditions people do are what makes Christmas special and nostalgic. Christmas is one of the best times of the year, but it is even better when you have traditions you look forward to every year.