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Whether we are filled with a spirit of holiday glee or merely obligation, the season of giving is upon us.
Holiday shopping officially ensued two weeks ago on the most dangerous day of the year for Wal-Mart employees: the madness that is known as Black Friday.
Luckily, nobody got trampled to death this year, but Black Friday still managed to cause a nationwide frenzy among shoppers.
Allen Bailey of Memphis, Tenn., got a face full of pepper spray while waiting in line around midnight for a Toys R’ Us to open.
She admits, “I am never going to do this again.” Then there was the quest for the ever-popular Zhu Zhu Pet, a tiny robotic hamster that is the must-have gift for kids this season.
Police had to be called to multiple stores in Greenwood, Ind. when fights broke out over the toy’s demand.
And so, one must ask themselves, why does a three hour wait in line for the opportunity to buy a limited supply of half priced plasma TV’s and electronic toys bring out the evil in people every year?
But more importantly, when did the holidays turn into a season of gifts, rather than a season of giving?
The pleasure and pursuit of material things during the holidays is an ideology that was implemented in us as children.
Christmas was a time to gather together as a family, but everything in our minds was surrounded with the notion that presents were involved.
Without the shiny boxes under the tree, the holidays just didn’t make sense.
Nonetheless, as adults, we like to think we have a better understanding of the true meaning of Christmas, but in retrospect it seems many do not.
Unfortunately, it appears as if the spirit of the holidays remains within the same context as it did when we were kids.
Case in point, when I take into account the Black Friday frenzy, a nationwide absurdity that only seems to reach an increasing level for the pursuit of materialistic things, I realize that even as grown-ups we still lack the true definition of not just the holidays, but of human compassion and true generosity.
And so I propose that this year, instead of fixating on the long list of names we need to cross off before the 25th, that we instead shift our focus and make it a point to spend more quality time with our loved ones and get creative with our gift ideas.
Alex Mitchell, a sophomore at Georgia State explains, “My family is doing something different this year because we don’t have as much money. Instead of presents everyone gets four things, something you want, something you need something to wear and something to read. I’m actually kind of excited about it.”
It’s no surprise that being a little more innovative in our gift selection and setting aside quality time to spend with the ones we care about, can strengthen the bond in our relationships and make for healthier and happier ones for the upcoming year.
So, bring back the true meaning of Christmas, one less robotic hamster at a time.
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