In my 35 minute drive home from school last night I noticed that only about three houses had holiday decorations out. Maybe it's because I'm older but this year especially I've seen a decline in "holiday cheer." The war on Christmas is not a new concept, for years people have been slowly becoming less festive. It seems as though instead of trying to be accommodating to all the holidays celebrated at this time we're doing away with all of them instead.

Christmas is especially targeted. But I think we're all forgetting what else this season is about. This holiday season is a time when families get to be together. It's time to start a fire, put on music and enjoy the time with your loved ones. It's not called "the season of giving" for nothing. It's a time to give to those less fortunate. Find a clothing drive and donate old clothes or toys. This season is about tradition. Whether your tradition is putting out cookies and milk for Santa or lighting candles on the Menorah it's a tradition. If we continue the way we're going in 10 years the holidays will be extinct and I personally don't want to have my children live in a world where they can't get excited about the fact that Santa is going to leave presents under their tree.

Let's take the Starbuck's red cup for example. Everyone kept saying "it's just a cup." And yes you're right. But the outrage was more over the fact that it was once a festive thing and now it's taken away. The Westchester Mall had originally refused to to put up decorations this year. The only reason they did is because of protesting. In a time of kindness and cheer we're protesting.

Actor Ben Stein spoke about his feelings on Christmas and being Jewish: "I am a Jew and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish, and it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautifully lit-up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are — Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they're slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we're all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year."

I'm not asking everyone to go buy a Santa Claus and put it on their porch. But during this time we should be cheerful, festive and proud of all the things we can celebrate.