The holiday season is past us.  The season of giving, unfortunately, has become a materialistic mess.  The season of giving has become more of the season of getting.

One of the major problems is that presents are no longer symbolic, but are instead viewed as an item.  Senior Meghan Taylor confessed “People need to think less about the presents and more about the thoughts and meanings behind them.”  Giving gifts is symbolic; it shows love, affection, and understanding.  The process of giving gifts isn’t just for the big bow or the shiny wrapping paper or the item itself.

Most people prefer the getting of gifts rather than giving gifts.   However, giving gifts is a great altruistic process that makes both the giver and the getter feel better.  Senior Maggie Overstreet articulated “It’s wonderful to give.”  Giving is an essential part of Christmas: hence it is known as the season of giving.

Actually, the origins of Christmas and Channukah are thoroughly religious.  Senior Magge Betschart said “The original meaning of Christmas is lost,” since nowadays Christmas and the holiday season are very secular, materialistic holidays.  Senior Kate Groschner explained the fact that even atheists celebrate Christmas by asserting that “everyone likes presents.

Huffington Post writer Jim Keady asked “What exactly are we celebrating at Christmas?” (www.huffingtonpost.com). Are we celebrating giving, spiritualism, family, and happiness, or are we celebrating money, wealth, items, and materials.  If we are celebrating the latter, then there are serious flaws in our modes of celebration.  Kate Groschner confided that “I’ll probably have a tofurkey with my family.”  If only more families had celebrated the holiday season with family, love, and happiness; that was the way the holidays were meant to be.