10 Reasons Why Claire Riley Loves Christmas 

By Cynthia Loh

#1 Presents

Everyone at some point has experienced the joy of receiving a gift from someone, especially around Christmas. Seeing the pool of presents under the Christmas tree can excite even the grouchiest of people as they wonder what their friends and loved ones has gotten them this year. However, according to Claire, what she loves about Christmas is not just receiving presents, but also giving them. Claire expresses that the true joy of gifts and presents is the look of pure joy on the face's of the people obtaining the gifts.

#2 Decorations

How can anyone get into the Christmas spirit without the dazzling Christmas decorations that can be a real pain in the butt to set up most of the time. Most people decorate their house with the essentials: Christmas tree, ornaments, wreaths, garlands, and some more. I know some really enthusiastic folks will have seven trees, inflatable snowmen, and a bunch of reindeer across their lawn. To Claire though, the best Christmas decoration are the lights.

              "The lights people put up are pretty and flicker, setting a nice mood against the dark night."
                                                                                                  - Claire Riley                              

#3 Family

Even though some people care more for the materialistic side of Christmas, Claire, also, loves the aspect of family during Christmas. This holiday isn't just time for free gifts, but also a time in the year for families to gather and spend time with each other. In the words of Claire Riley, Christmas is a time when family gets to come together again and enjoy a heartfelt day together. While gifts and objects can last for a couple years, family will be there for you forever (till they die).

#4 No School 

Although this might be pointless to most adults, students like Claire can finally relax and enjoy a well-deserved break after the grueling week of tests before Christmas. Winter Break provides a stress-free Christmas to students of any age and allows them to truly enjoy Christmas without the usual, lingering worry of school assignments in the back of their heads. The long break, also, affords family time to take a vacation and escape from their normal, everyday lives for a short amount of time.

#5 The Tree

Debatably, the most important part of Christmas itself, the Christmas tree is basically the heart of Christmas. Someone once told me that the best part of Christmas is the excuse to wear ugly Christmas sweater. If it really was the best part then they put a ugly, gigantic sweater instead of a Christmas tree in front of the Rockefeller Center. The tree is an icon of Christmas and I can't imagine a Christmas without it.

#6 Food

Food it great! Who doesn't love food? I know Claire Riley loves it, According to her, on Christmas delicious food is served everywhere and people can gather around to have a nice meal. Some things that must be eaten on Christmas are hot chocolate, cookies, candy canes, eggnog, fruitcake, gingerbread, pudding, and last but not least, pie!

#7 Santa Claus

Every child grows up believing that a fat, jolly man with a big white beard and a red suit comes down their chimney and leaves them presents under the Christmas tree. Santa Claus is one of the great mythical figures every child trusts in, along with the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny. Santa is one of the things Claire loves about Christmas because of the joy he brought her as a child and the joy he will continue to bring to other kids.

#8 Christmas Movies

There are so many amazing and universally known Christmas movies that are essential to getting into the Christmas spirit. Movies like  Elf, A Christmas Carol, Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Home Alone 2, and so much more.

                                    Fun Fact: Donald Trump was in Home Alone 2

#9 Christmas Caroling and Songs

Coming from someone who's in choir and likes to perform in musicals, this isn't very surprising. According to Claire. "Caroling and songs shared between SUCH A HUGE amount of people that everyone knows and can sing along to," is another thing she loves about Christmas.

#10 The Smell of It ????

                                         "The smells of Christmas smell like heaven itself "
                                                                         -Claire Riley

I'm not really sure what Claire means when she says the smell of it. I'm just guessing she really likes the smell of peppermint or pine cones or something.