All religious beliefs and practices aside, the holiday season is a time in the United States to be jolly, give, sing, eat, and all of the other joyous traditions that ensue. Unfortunately that wholesome spirit is fading away and being replaced by greed and want in the form of tiny electronic boxes.

I remember sitting on the couch at the age of ten and making a list of over one hundred dolls, games for my Nintendo, and other toys I thought I wanted for Christmas. I had just watched a Christmas movie where a little girl wrote a whale of a long list of over one hundred items and she got most everything she wanted and, I was inspired. Wrongly and sadly inspired by that young girls greed and materialism. To say the least, when I did not receive one thing on my extensive list, I threw a fit that brought my aunt to tears. That monstrous moment changed my view of Christmas.

I grew to see that Christmas was not about the gifts at all, but the thought and time behind them. The fact that another human being took time out of their life to ponder up a present for me; then buy it, all without the expectation of a present in return is rather humbling. Most Americans, especially kids, don’t see past not only receiving, but receiving what they want. Usually, those things that they want are not cheap.

The average expenditure for Christmas gifts a year in the US is 704 billion dollars a year, according to Statista. That number is absolutely astounding, and surely many of those families could not quite afford what they spent. Not to mention the grotesque combat that occurs during Black Friday sales. Giant stampedes of shoppers get so out of control they do not care if they must run over another human being to get their item at a discount. People have even lost their lives shopping on Black Friday. No materialistic item could be worth that.

These people that only feel elated after opening a new game, Barbie or whatever it may be, miss out on what truly brings the greatest bliss in life-especially during the jolly holiday season. From going as a family to get the tree, watching films together, and all other traditions should be valued. Those are the gifts that are truly priceless. Last year for Christmas, we left presents out all together and I must say it was one of my favorite Christmases to date. I encourage others to take the materialism out of Christmas!