'Tis the season of shopping sprees and crying bank accounts. Now is that time of year when everyone gets to play Santa (I'm kidding, he's real kids) as we go down our unrealistically long list of people we need to shop for this holiday season.
We'll find ourselves buying gifts no one would ever use for people we barely know. We pull out our hair trying to find that special gift for that special someone in our lives because if we don't, this season just won't be the same.
We get so caught up on taking care of everyone on our shopping lists, that we forget about why we are buying these gifts to begin with. I know, I know. I understand that this is the "season of giving." I've always been taught to put others first and place their needs before our own. Believe me, I get it. But somehow, despite all of this, the "giving" part of the "giving season" is ruining the holidays as we know it.
The truth of the matter is, this season is more than just the gifts we buy and the shiny paper we wrap them in. It is worth more than the money we spend on gifts because the memories we make this year will most likely last longer than the present you gave someone. We let ourselves get consumed in a world filled with shopping-mall Santa's who charge obscene amounts of money for children to meet their childhood idol. We get lost in department stores and coupon books because all we can think about is getting the best deal on the best gift to be the best mom/dad/sister/uncle/grandma this year.
We're missing the point.
We're forgetting that this season is all about being with family and surrounding ourselves with the people who love us most. It is about taking time off of work and reality to enjoy the little moments with the people who have the biggest impact on your life. We are "home for the holidays" for a reason.
This season is about making memories. It is about sharing love and hope that this new year will be one to remember. It is about being thankful for what you have, not crying over things you wanted and never received. We are missing the point of this time of year, people. Now is the time to remind ourselves, and get back into the true meaning of this holiday season.
Ditch the credit cards and fancy ribbon and bows for quality family time and irreplaceable memories. It is time that we see through the flashy advertisements and commercialized attempts to turn this time of year into a money-making bonanza. Close your wallets and open your hearts, because the best gift you can give this Christmas is love.
