I just got back home from college and there is eight days left for me to shop. I have been freaking out, when I only need to find about six presents. The only reason I have been freaking out is because the commercials on television are telling me I'm running out of time, and that makes me upset.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the holiday season. The more I think about it, the more I feel like I have been doing it wrong for years. So I'm not sure why this happened, but my frustrations came out in the form of a poem.

It was a week before Christmas and all through the malls,

the shoppers were shopping, while the rest of their family was at home decking the halls.

With time winding down before the big day, the rush to find the perfect presents is on,

and before you can even say "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer," your money is all gone.

Pain and frustration are found throughout stores, because whatever toy is new this year, there's never enough.

The customers exclaims "this is bull shit!" and leaves in a huff.

On Christmas Eve, families head out to church, with children in the backseat, in an angry pout,

Asking "why do we have to go?" and "what presents did you get me?" to which their parents reply "that's not what Christmas is all about?"

Finally Christmas is here and everyone's spending time with the fam

warm and cuddled up inside enjoying their Christmas ham.

People realize Christmas is truly about family, after they break out of the materialistic gaze.

Merry Christmas everyone! . . . I mean happy holidays!

Of course, I could have done that without the rhymes, but I think I got my point across. When I was younger, I thought the presents were the most important part of Christmas. I went to church and sung in the choir, but the mass felt more like a show to me. More like an opening act, follow by the main event of Santa coming the next day.

Being in college, I spend less time with my family during the year and have even less money to spend on presents. It's hard when your parents deserve the world, but the only thing you can afford to buy them is a pair of socks! (But don't worry mom and dad, it will be a super nice pair of socks!)

My point is, Christmas is not about the presents you give or get. Even though I am sure you've heard this a million times, with Christmas around the corner, I'm sure everyone could use a reminder. Spend the holidays with the ones you love, not the cool toys you'll get sick of in a week.

Merry Christmas everyone! Stay warm! :D