Between its enchanting lights, harmonic carols, and festive spirits, Christmas, a cultural holiday, was once celebrated as a time when people came together to enjoy the presence of their relationships.

Yet ironically enough, the concept of Christmas with emphasis on quality time, has entirely been discarded for a purpose originally meant to accomplish a showcase of love. 

With many Americans celebrating the holiday, its popularity strikes as a stark target for marketers to manipulate and form a norm that prioritizes a need for materialism. As we’re fixed into believing that curating the ‘perfect’ gift measures the care for those around us. 

The simple sentiment of gratitude and appreciation quickly dilutes into a burdening task. This shift of culture to a rather commercialized Christmas reforms our relaxation into stress, produces financial strains, and time at home relocates to being in stores, where the value of presents overtakes the holiday’s initial significance. 

WJPS 12th grader Riley Ramnath said, “Christmas has become stressful rather than fun for me.”

WJPS 12th grader Lesly Gonzalez said, “Shopping for gifts has been difficult and time consuming.”   

It’s of importance to reassert the true value of Christmas upon its upcoming arrival. To counteract the consumerism of the holiday and treat the season with its intended purpose, prioritizing meaningful connections, heartfelt moments, and gestures will properly honor the essence of Christmas.   

“Sine and some christmas gifts” by Kekka is licensed under CC BY 2.0.