My favorite part about the holiday season is when ABC Family starts its 25 Days To Christmas marathon.

I get so excited and happy just thinking about it. There are so many movies to watch, but my favorite is “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas.”

I can remember watching this movie since I was about 5 years old. I would always wait for Christmas Eve dinner and then sit in front of the television watching this. One memory that is crystal clear to this day would be the aroma all through my aunt’s house. You could smell the combination of honey glazed ham, warm Dutch apple pie, even the stuffing.

In the movie, one of the skits taught me a valuable lesson. The scene was about Donald Duck inviting his family over for Christmas. His three nephews were so spoiled with their dinner and their gifts that they forgot what the true meaning of Christmas is about. They wished for Christmas every day and they got even more spoiled, until one day they completely destroyed everything, from the carols to the turkey.

They were about to leave to not get in trouble when they read a card that basically said it’s not about what you have but whom you have with you.

From that, every year I try not to ask for any more gifts because I realize that objects will break, food will be eaten, and money will be spent, but family is there to love you and stay with you forever.