By HiLite Staff

As the holiday season has progressed over the years, the way we view this time of year has become increasingly materialistic. Though this is not a new occurrence, the National Retail Federation (NRF) has predicted that 2010 holiday sales will reach $447.1 billion this year, a $10 billion increase in spending from last year.

In today’s world, it seems we have lost all sense of what the holidays are even about. Christmas, for example, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity, and Hanukkah, The Holiday of Lights, celebrates the victory by the Macabbis over the Syrians and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. So how have traditions that remember important times in religious history turned into nothing more than opening stacks of presents?

The fact is that the holidays have become more and more commercialized. Instead of going to church, temple or synagogue to pray, many people now spend their time stripping various sized packages of their wrappings to find what gifts they will enjoy in the coming year. Even Thanksgiving has lost its true meaning; we think more about “Black Friday” and finding great bargains than being thankful for how fortunate we are.

The holidays aren’t meant to be only about presents and gifts. Rather, they should be about the real values and traditions that make a difference in our lives, and students have the responsibility of carrying these traditions on in the future.

Especially around Thanksgiving, giving back to the community and donating to those less fortunate is a major aspect of the holidays. Unfortunately, charity and donations have suffered as a result of materialism as well as a bad economy. While spending for holiday gifts has increased, the total charitable donation in the United States has decreased to $303.75 billion in 2009 from $315.08 billion in 2008, according to the Giving USA Foundation.

It is necessary to remember that this is the time of year when needy people need the most. As the weather outside becomes steadily colder, and as it begins to snow, life for the homeless and the impoverished becomes harder than it already is. With no shelter and food to help brave the cold, shelters and soup kitchens become their only option. Donations to these institutions can save lives.

But perhaps more important than donating to charity is spending time with family. With winter break and no school, the holidays provide the perfect opportunity to spend time with family and friends. By focusing on family traditions and doing activities together rather than merely spending money on gifts, students can create not only a more enjoyable holiday season, but also a closer family.

Materialism tends to take away from these aspects of the holiday season, but this can change. By remembering what the holidays are truly about, it is possible to leave the materialistic obsession behind while still enjoying gifts. For example, students might consider giving gifts like tickets to a show or a sporting event or even a mother-daughter/father-son day. These options are enjoyable and they can also create lasting memories.

Another option is to donate a percentage of what you buy to a certain charity, as some stores like Borders and Build-A-Bear Workshop allow customers to do. Even better than that option, however, is donating time, as this contribution can not only satisfy the charitable aspect of the holidays, but also the family aspect as charitable participation provides the opportunity to work as a family.

So this holiday season, students should remember the true meaning behind the holidays. Students can and should enjoy the materialistic aspects of the holidays, but, more than that, students should take time to appreciate the meaning behind those holidays. Spending time with loved ones and sharing time and money with those in need are pursuits that are far more lasting and far more in keeping with the spirit of the holiday season.