Basically Brooke

With a chill in the air (or, as close as we can possibly get to one here in South Texas) and bright lights blinking from house to house, the holiday season has finally descended upon us. Although we may never have the white Christmas seen in the movies, the familiar feeling of good times and holiday cheer is here all the same. The holidays may be a special time, but they can also be pretty stressful: students are wrapping up the semester with their finals; everyone is searching for the perfect gifts for their loved ones, or deciding which family member has to make the turkey for this year’s dinner. With all these distractions, it’s too easy to lose sight of what the holidays really mean; it’s important that people remember the significance of these next few weeks, and take special care to not take them for granted.

Spending time with family is one of the core concepts of the holidays, whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah. All across the world, loved ones gather to share their time with each other. Some exchange gifts and feast; others simply get together to enjoy each other’s company. No matter how you celebrate during the most wonderful time of the year, the most important thing is that you spend it with the people you love. After all, not everyone gets that chance. Take advantage of that love and warmth while you have it, especially at times like these, when the opportunity presents itself.

Keeping others in mind is another holiday tradition. There are millions of people around the world who will not receive a gift this Christmas, much less give to another. It’s important to remember that receiving isn’t the reason for the season; giving to others is just as significant, if not more so. Think of those who won’t see their family this season, or maybe don’t even have one; or of the people dealing with loss or going through hard times this season. All those people deserve the cheer and love we all experience this time of year, too. Remember: you don’t have to donate toys or gifts to give to others; simply offering a smile or a few kind words can brighten anyone’s holiday, no matter what else is going on with them at the time.

On that note, it is also important to remember this season. Remember those who may have been left behind, or those that have been lost to us. It may be hard to continue on through another holiday without someone that was once always present, but the process is made easier through memories. It’s important to enjoy the holidays, especially in their honor. Continuing to believe in the season is what gets you through it, and taking advantage of the time you have with the people you have will only make you happier. Giving thanks for all you have and not what you lack is the best thing you can do; be sure to give thanks for your guardian angels, whoever they may be. Once again, giving is always better than receiving. Be sure to give this holiday season, whether it be your time to others, a gift, a memory, or simply your love; no matter what, you can’t go wrong.