By Alexis Diaz

 Tis’ the season for caramel brulee lattes, sweaters, decorations, and shopping. Christmas is referred to as the most wonderful time of the year. The 25 Days of Christmas on ABC Family and all of the carols playing on local radio stations add to how exciting the holidays are. But have we lost the true meaning of Christmas?

Santa Claus comes in the form of shopping as commercialism spreads like wildfire during Black Friday. Our fixation on materials consumes us as we wait in line for hours, even days, just to have the new iPhone or see the hot deals at the local mall. Our minds are engraved with the idea that shopping and social media are more important than spending time with family.

What is Christmas all about?

“To me, Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of my Lord and Savior, and to be joyful and thankful for friends and family,” Mackenzie Hichman explains. Tiffany Skene also agrees as she adds, “Christmas time is to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to be with family. It’s all about giving back and thinking about other people.”

 

Christmas is about giving back. Blessing others with time, encouragement, and most importantly love. Besides celebrating the birth of baby Jesus or making tamales on Christmas eve, Eva Martinez explains, “Christmas means coming together no matter what situation you’re in… It’s the time of the year when you look back and reflect on every experience that makes you who you are, good and bad. It’s the time to be surrounded by joy and bliss.”

Volunteering at shelters, serving to communities of poverty, working in the soup kitchen, or even making dinner for a neighbor are ways YOU can give back, not only during the holidays, ALL the time. It doesn’t have to be anything drastic or life-changing, but one small act of kindness can be just what someone needs. The little things do matter. Materials provide a temporary satisfaction, but then fade away. Invest in friendships not materialistic things and #GiveBack. Happy Holidays, Tillers!

(Click on the #GiveBack link for some inspiration by Ellen Degeneres)