Once Christmas was no longer about what Santa was bringing me and I realized my family was maybe slightly crazy, it lost a lot of the magic. The season, starting the day after Halloween was always buildup and anticipation for my favorite holiday. I thought Cindy Lou Hoo’s “Where Are You Christmas” spoke directly to me as I felt less and less of the Christmas spirit.

This superficial and childish way of feeling towards a holiday is something everyone needs to eventually let go. But the magic of Christmas does not have to be lost. It just needs to be found in new things.

As adolescent novelties fade away, an entitlement to happiness is lost. It becomes more of a conscious choice to focus on the good things in our life. Nothing is perfect, especially around the holidays with crazy aunts, road-raged drivers and intense family time.

I could easily make my holiday season just as awful as some people let it. A dreaded family Thanksgiving, sadly watching Tim Allen’s “Santa Clause” knowing it isn’t true, and viewing the holiday season as an obligation rather than a privilege or a time to remind ourselves of the good in our lives.

Thanksgiving is so important to me because, no matter how crazy my family is, I celebrate Thanksgiving with them, and am blessed to have a family to spend it with. Just because my grandma and brother start talking about politics doesn’t mean the pie doesn’t taste as good, or that my grandpa isn’t quietly watching football in the other room waiting for company.

The fact that I celebrate over the holiest of all foods, pie, mashed potatoes, gravy and buttery rolls, makes it all the better. Thanksgiving is the perfect example for what the holiday season is about, acknowledging the gifts we are given everyday. At my home it marks the beginning of Christmas celebrations, ringing in the holiday season. Black Friday is a special day in my home not for the shopping, but as the day our Christmas tree claims its spot in the family room.

When I can look around my house and see little snowmen everywhere, I always get a little rush of wintery warmth. I can listen to a Christmas song rather than overplayed pop music. Or I can bake cookies and watch classic Christmas movies and just feel the joy of the holiday season.

Thanksgiving and its ensuing holiday season don’t make the atrocities of the world stop or fix people’s problems, but making the holiday any less enjoyable than it can be is selfish and sad.

No matter how cliché it is, the holidays really are a time for love and joy. It’s ok to feel joy at experiencing the simple artificial pleasures that come along with the holiday season. They serve as reminders for us to focus on the good we have and can do for one another.