When I was ten years old or so, my list reflected my age. It was filled with the objects that your typical ten-year old thought was totally awesome. Power Rangers action figures. Spider-man posters. Basketball cards. Mario Kart 64. (Although, I promise you I wasn't this kid.)
Around the age of 13 or so, the list matured and had things like music, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, and cool clothes. When you're 13, nothing mattered as much as fitting in.
Of course, at the age of 17, my list was different, filled with video games and parts for my drum set.
Right now I'm 22, and this year I don't have a Christmas list.
At least, not a typical one, filled with items and merchandise that can be easily bought from a store in the mall.
If I did write out a Christmas list, the number one thing would be to spend time with the people I love. I don't get to see my family that often, so just being with them is all I want. Being able to spend an evening with my girlfriend decorating a Christmas tree sounds absolutely incredible. Hanging out with friends who moved away but are home for the holidays is going to be great fun. Being with these people is easily the most important part of Christmas.
Number two on my list would be the Christmas experience; looking at houses with amazing Christmas lights, nights curled up by a glowing tree with a fireplace nearby, the joyful music, and of course, peppermint hot cocoa.
Number three on my Christmas list would be the specific traditions my family has. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas if I didn't wake up on Christmas morning to the smell of freshly baked cinnamon buns and the promise of homemade orange juice. I could never go a year without waking up early and playing video games until the sun shines on our Christmas tree (my own personal tradition). Of course, attending the Christmas Eve candlelight service at the church I grew up in is always a treat.
It's those things make Christmas special, not the gifts.
The material possessions that so strongly held my attention in the past have seen me move on.
They have been replaced with reflections on what Christmas really means. About how it's about a baby who lived 2,000 years ago but has saved my life today. About how my family is the most important thing and why it's so important to appreciate them.
It is those things that would dominate my Christmas list for this year.
Of course, I'm 22 now, and as life changes, I expect my Christmas list to continue to change with it.
It makes me wonder; what will my list look like when I'm 25? Or even 30? I'll probably be married by then, and my Christmas list would probably be filled with the best wishes for my wife and children, and to start some good traditions for my kids that can help define Christmas for them.
What will be important to me when I'm 40? Will my Christmas list that year have power tools in it, or something more like family unity and stability as children grow older and more mature?
How about when I'm 60? What will I care about when I'm that age? Grandchildren, perhaps? Who knows. It's a long way off.
What I do know is that Christmas is always a special time, one filled with joy, reflection, generosity, and family. And just like every year is different, so is each year's Christmas list different, changing and growing up with me the whole time.
That said, being able to spend Christmas with loving family and friends will always be at the top of my list, because no matter how old I get, family will always be the most important thing about the holiday season.
