It is finally is getting dark out around 4 p.m., the temperatures are dropping, and I can't go anywhere without a puffy coat. It's obvious that winter is on the rise and Christmas is sledding towards us faster than what we think. Christmas movies are starting to reappear.

So on an extremely bitterly, cold day I was snuggled up with my boyfriend watching a classic: How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Now, I love this movie, but one prominent detail stuck out to me. The Whos in Whoville are obsessed with buying presents for Christmas. This is displayed through the chaos in the streets as all of the villagers are stumbling around with their presents while looking for more. The village even has its own place to wrap and organize the presents.

Cindy Lou Who is the main character, who happens to be a little girl. She is the one who has come to terms with realizing that a good and jolly Christmas isn't made up by how many presents you receive, but about the time you spend with others. Her character's actions are showcased throughout the movie in the various ways that she tries to convince the Grinch to join the Christmas celebrations her town holds. Her reasoning is that she doesn't want anybody to feel left out on Christmas.

I believe that this movie can really show everyone a thing or two about Christmas, if it has not already.

Giving and receiving presents is a huge part of Christmas. For many families, including mine. Saving up months in advance for Christmas and then waking up Christmas morning to open all the wrapped goods is a tradition.

Don't get me wrong, I don't see anything wrong with doing this. I also I look forward to the activities involving presents every year. But it seems as if people spend so much time trying to get the latest deals on presents that they forget why they're buying them in the first place. Presents are not supposed to be solely about the material item, but instead be about the person your giving it to.

Presents are supposed to be a kind offering to those you care about to show them just a snippet of how much you care. You also should enjoy giving presents just as much as you like getting them.

It has come to my attention that people completely forget about all the other aspects that involve the holiday. There's more to Christmas than presents.

I'm talking about the family gatherings, or just dropping by to say hello. The holiday season should have more family involvement or should be a time to put extra emphasis on the bonds you have built with your loved ones. Our loved ones are a huge influence on our lives and sometimes they have been around for our whole lives. Some of them, like our best friends, know us inside and out.

We should also remember the relatives who live in different states, or even countries who we hardly ever see and fly in specifically for the holiday season. Life is chaotic and sometimes we don't realize all they do for us. We forget to give thanks and admiration. But the holidays are not the only time you should be building stronger bonds and appreciating others. You should always be doing this. The holidays are just a time that is known to be the season for large gatherings.

Presents are a great way to show you care, but you should not allow it to dictate your whole Christmas Eve and Christmas. It is easy to get preoccupied shopping for the perfect present.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to buy the best presents for your loved ones, but it's important to remember how much more of a meaning Christmas really has. Presents are a great way to show you care, but it's not the only way. Our families and friends are not something that should be taken for granted.

Christmas is about quality time and a break from our normal everyday lives.