This time of the year can bring on many emotions including love, gratefulness, and even jealousy. Though there are several reasons to celebrate and be surrounded by those we love, we need to remember why we are celebrating and not let the true reason of the season be clouded. Christmas is the time of year where there is no school, everyone takes time off from work, and the everyone just stops running around. The gifts under the tree are a fraction of the best part of Christmas.

As we all grow older we all grow apart and move on for work or other commitments, but Christmas is what brings us back together. It is not the gifts under a tree or who has the cutest stocking stuffers that make Christmas, it is the time together. It is the one day out of the whole year that everyone stops and takes a breather to enjoy time with family and make memories that will last a life time.

Presents are simply things under a tree and are not the primary attraction for Christmas, but they play a large roll none the less. There is not a better feeling than someone opening up your gift and their smile growing. Or receiving a gift from someone and you know that they spent time and their hard earned money on you. There are positive ways to approach Christmas presents and that is not through the eyes of jealousy. I remember when I was in Elementary school and I was so excited when I received my presents on Christmas morning, but when I went back to school in January I couldn't help but compare my gifts to my classmates. This is the negative aspect that comes with receiving Christmas presents. Everyone finds themselves comparing their gifts through the eyes of jealousy, which should not be the outcome of Christmas.

Christmas is a time of giving and being thankful, almost like a Thanksgiving part two, and we should all remember that this time of the year as we are celebrating with family.