12/19/2016

Maia Daschke

At this time of the year, people are going crazy. It all starts on Black Friday: people wait in giant lines for hours to get a great deal on a new Xbox, other people fight each other for the last 60” Samsung television on sale, and everyone else comments on the “crazy” behavior of others as they shop for the same deals themselves. This, many people will say, is what the holidays have become.

Researchers at American Research Group, Inc. say that the average American will spend about $929 on Christmas shopping this holiday season; up 5% from last year’s average of $882. I will admit, however, that I did expect the average to be much higher than it is, and I assume that most people would expect the same thing. I also think this proves something; maybe we aren’t as bad as we think we are. Aside from a few outliers that include wealthy people who spend well above the average, the number really isn’t that high. So to the people who claim that the holidays are a scam; I’m here to say they aren’t.

The holidays are still a magical time. Christmas, in my eyes, brings out the best in people. I work at a mall, and yes, the holidays are CRAZY when you work in retail. Some people lose their minds over long lines and misplaced items that aren’t actually on sale, but these are the exceptions. A majority of people are good; they wish me a Happy Holiday with a warm smile and thank me for my service. When someone doesn’t have enough change, a customer behind them digs through their change purse for a quarter. When the next customer has an extra coupon, they hand it to the person behind them. My point is that there is still so much Christmas magic.

At MHS, for example, our Key Club hosts the Eat to Heat, which raises money to support local families in need by paying their heat bills throughout the winter. We also host the Conway House Dinner, where families from there come to the high school and enjoy a lovely dinner. There is also the Secret Santa, as well, that allows students at the high school to buy a present for a little boy or girl in need.

Christmas time, I will admit, does focus a lot on the presents we get for others, and the presents we’ll receive in return. Some will continue to say that Christmas has lost its true meaning, and that all it has become is an excuse to get gifts. But I think a lot of people still use the holidays for what they’re meant to represent; a time to celebrate kindness and joy. So this Christmas, I encourage everyone around me to love each other and ignore the troubles that continue to haunt the world, and most importantly, be happy. That’s what Christmas is really about.