The holiday season is approaching rather quickly, and for this year’s senior class, this will possibly be the last year that we will be at home with our families for the holidays. For 17 or 18 years, we have been at home celebrating with immediate and/or extended family. Realizing this will be the last year that we are home with our families is hard to imagine yet we are excited to see what the future has in store for us.
Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Marino household has always been very busy and chaotic at times, yet everything always seems to work out. Growing up we always switched having Thanksgiving and Christmas with either side of the family. I would have to say my favorite part was getting to go Black Friday shopping with all my cousins once we were finally “old enough” to know the secret and be able to go out. We have had our fair share of good times over the years, and I am ready to start this last year at home celebrating with all my family before several of us go to college and add to our schedules. Let the holiday season begin!
Being in an immediate family of three, my Christmases have always been more focused on the extended family. I have spent my Christmas Eves with my mom’s side and Christmas day with my parents and then my dad’s side. It’s always an interesting few days because it’s a lot of running around, cooking, and screaming from my younger cousins wanting to immediately open gifts. My favorite part about the holiday season is being able to come and seeing both sides of the family within a few days, especially my dad’s side that lives in Milwaukee.
Overall, the holiday season has always been “the most wonderful time of the year” and is always something we look forward to. Being with family and friends is something that we both love. We are more than ready to enjoy our last holiday season with our families and friends and celebrate also what’s to come in the future for everyone.