There are certain things that stand out that make Christmas seem truly special.  Here are a few of my favorites:

1.)  The lights/Christmas displays.  Every time I see a lighted tree or wreath festooning the entry way of a house, business, or restaurant, I get a feeling of warmth and comfort.  There is nothing quite like the inviting sight of multicolored lights adorning a residence, business, church, or school!

2.)   The smell of evergreen, spices, berries, or the scent of a fire burning in the fireplace.  Every time I smell it, it brings me back to my childhood back in Alaska.  I now live in Texas and it just isn't the same.

3.)  The sounds of carolers singing or Christmas music wafting from the radio or stereo.  Even old favrorites that I have heard plenty of times (The First Noel, O, Holy Night, Silent Night, Joy To The World, Jingle Bells, Deck The Halls, etc.) always seem new and fresh each Christmas season; even my grandchildren are enthralled whenever they hear the Chrismas music playing because they know that it is a time of joy, miracles, and magic that cannot be denied.

4.)  The sight of fresh snowfall blanketing the ground and the crisp, frosty air.  It reminds me of back home.  Here in Texas, we don't have snow, especially in the central part where I live.  (I live in a suburb of San Antonio, where snow is as rare as hen's teeth.  If we DO get any precipitation in the winter, it's either all rain or ice/sleet/freezing rain.)

5.)  The taste of gingerbread cookies or fresh bread straight from the oven, eggnog, roast beef, turkey, chicken, or any number of cakes and other sweet treats that are popular around Christmastime.

Yes, these are some of my very favorite things about Christmas and why it means so much to me.  Now if I could only do something about the snow problem (or lack OF it ... or not seeing the northernl ights dancing merrily outside my bedroom window; Texas isn't exactly a hotbed for auroral activity ....) .... then I would really have it made! :)