Spartan Copy Editor Caton Deuso

Most people think about their experiences as a child when they’re asked to reflect on their favorite Christmas.

Not me though.

Just a couple years ago was my favorite Christmas for one soul reason.

I bought so many gifts for my parents.

At the time, I was working about 30 to 35 hours a week while also being a full-time college student at the Community College of Vermont. Because I was working, I was able to get my parents some of the best gifts I’ve ever given.

Specifically, for my mom, I got her a new set of kitchen knives from her favorite kitchenware store, Chicago Cutlery. I also got her a couple of new graphic tees like one that said “I like cows more than people” because cows are her favorite animal. Real Vermonter, aye? It went well with her cow utter mug that I also got her.

My dad on the other hand, I have to go back to the classics. I got him a live Journey concert on DVD during the Steven Perry days. I also had to get a graphic tee for him and chose “Eat, Sleep, Thoroughbred Horse Racing,” because he’s the turf guru. Not to mention, I got him a Don Henley shirt from when he and my mom went to go see him in Laconia, New Hampshire. 

Giving back means more than receiving for me. I love watching my parents open gifts that I’ve thought about and chose for them. I also love wrapping things in perfectly square boxes. I also want to give back to them as much as I can to them because they’ve done so much for me.

I think a lot of people take the holiday season for granted. It’s a time for giving and spending time with your loved ones. You get to take time to reflect on the highlight of the year and be with yourself.

Hug a loved one this season and don’t take any moments for granted this holiday season.

Spartan Managing Editor Brendan Crowley

The Christmas season is extremely traditional for my family.

Each year we cut down our tree, decorate it, put up lights on our house, try to watch as many Christmas movies as possible in one month, and my dad even reads “Twas the Night Before Christmas” – every single Christmas Eve night.

It’s been tough each Christmas season for me being away from my family and missing some of those traditions. I always miss spending this season with them.

But one of the best feelings is when I pull into my driveway and sit down in my recliner with my family all around me.

The house is lit up, Christmas music playing, and it sure is true that there’s no place like home for the holidays.

Spartan Sports Editor Jay Mullen

Christmas has always been a family time for me like most people, and that hasn’t changed throughout the years.

Even though my two brothers and I are off at college or living hours away from home, we still come together and celebrate Christmas every single year.

I look forward to waking up with my brothers and parents before going through our Christmas morning routine of opening presents and eating a big breakfast together.

Just being able to be together for the holidays is something that I will always be thankful for, and something that I will never take for granted.

Spartan Advisor David Blow

I like Christmas and I like buying gifts that my wife and two daughters will enjoy. I consider it a challenge to buy cool clothes for them and bask in the glory when they genuinely like my choices.

But I’m feeling a little conflicted this Christmas because it’ll be the first celebration without my 22-year-old daughter, who is teaching English in Spain.

I think my whole family is feeling it, because we are pretty ritualistic about decorating and visiting relatives Christmas Eve and have a coffee-stockings-gifts Christmas morning with the girls always going first.

It’ll be very different this year. A big void.

Good news is, we’ll be doing a second Christmas in Europe on Jan. 1 including that 22-year-old. Then all will be right in the Christmas world for the Blows.