As the holidays approach, we find ourselves scrambling over last minute details, over presents, over food, over travel plans, and so many other holiday traditions. We work hard to make sure everything is crisply wrapped, that proper names are on bags and tags, that our food is enjoyable for the whole family, and that no one is left out of the merriment. In the scramble and haste to make the material things perfect, sometimes we forget the reason we gather in the first place. The holidays are becoming more and more commercial, and this year is no exception.

I would like to challenge you to look beyond the material act of gift-giving and think more about the person or people you are exchanging with.

Family is a gift greater than any wrapped in paper and bows. As a society, we need to step back from the special sales and mentality of getting and get back into the meaning of giving, remembering how important family time is. Enjoy spending Christmases with younger cousins, nieces, and nephews that don’t see you very often. Make sure to spend time with aunts and uncles, who have been celebrating festivities with you since you were younger. Talk to older relatives too, who likely miss seeing you or cherish the few times a year they get to see you. The holidays have become more about what we receive than who we get to see. Take extra time this year to spend time talking with family and make new holiday memories. Remember what is truly important, and be thankful for those close to you.