Nikki Yeager

Living completely alone means that Christmas never really matters. You wonder up and down Fifth Ave, you have a drink with a friend and eat somewhere with windows perfect for snow-fall viewing. 

Living with a boy is different. It leads to certain holiday expectations no matter how un-festive you are. And believe me, I'm completely un-festive. When I was 14 I decided I no longer wanted xmas presents from my parents and would rather put the money in my savings account. I'm allergic to Christmas trees. I hate eggnog. 

But, by golly, I want some acknowledgement of Christmas now that I'm a grown up. 

I want to wake up on the 25th to a Christmas tree and presents. Even if the tree is made from plastic and the one or two presents under it are wrapped in brown paper bags, held together with masking tape. I want to spend the whole day lounging around and enjoying whatever may be in each of those present boxes. I want to wear pajamas all day long, eat a meal that was actually cooked in an oven and sing songs about a magical baby in a manger ir snowmen who spring to life or a fat man sneaking in a chimney. All I want is a little holiday cheer.

Which I never thought I'd say. But then again, I also never thought I'd notice that fact that my boyfriend is undeniably Jewish. Just like he rarely realizes that my whole family is Christian. Funny how that works  

Anyways, here's when it hit me: 

Me: "Do you even know what Christmas is?"

Daniel: With conviction, "Yea! It's when people put up big inflatable snowmen and statues of the last supper" 

Me: "ummm... the what?" 

Daniel: Looks at me and nods

Me: "The last supper? Do you mean the nativity scene.... of Jesus being born?" 

Daniel: "Sure, yea. That thing." 

Did you read that Mom, something from church stuck! 

And that's when I realized that I'm as Christian as could be when it comes to culture (not necessarily belief). And this girl with her Jesus-loving upbringing would like a little holiday cheer. 

So while you're all opening presents, remember the girl who will be sleeping in and then doing some art to pass the day away. And maybe, just maybe, you could send me a little "ho ho ho" message... just to remind me that Holidays exist