In today's over-commercialized economy, it's not very hard to see how our society has been conditioned to make money the forefront of everyday living, especially during the holidays. Majority of infamous Christmas trends have substituted the kind act of giving from the heart into the form of giving that only comes from the depency and convenience of cash. Christmas is no longer about going the extra mile to spend quality time with the ones we love or forcing ourselves to think outside the box when it comes to expressing what people TRULY mean to us. With all the advertising Christmas has received in terms of buying the "perfect" gift for people we consider to be important, we have automatically been taught from a very young age that gift giving is a generous deed that doesn't go unnoticed nor unappreciated. In certain circumstances we realize this is true. Money is a key component in donating to specific charities like the Salvation Army and Food Bank, putting a roof over the less fortunates heads and feeding the homeless. But too much, too fast, in a world where it is naturally assumed that bigger is better, and we find ourselves ignoring the REAL meaning behind Christmas. 

So as much as the media's illusory portrayal has good intentions behind advertising the gift giving spirit of Christmas, it has hidden the beautiful significance of Christmas in many ways. For instance, if you ever watched the Oprah Winfrey or Dr. Phil Christmas specials (not to pick on these globally adored TV giants in any way of course because they have done a lot of good for many people) and noticed how the audience's reaction varies on the size and expense of the gift being advertised, you'll see that it is not always consistently enthused. A camera? YAY!! A plasma TV?? Even better!!   A car???   I think I'm in heaven!! A Christmas soundtrack? Uhhhh....I guess I could applaude. So although the idea of being given free gifts sound nice, don't you also think it's a little hypocritical for these international celebrities to emphasize the importance of being grateful for what we're given in life throughout the whole year and yet they contradict those powerful messages by giving materialized goods that are not a necessity top recognition during the Christmas season? As much as we hate to face it it's shows like these that contribute to not just American's spoildness but the spoildness of many people around the world.

So if that were to change, if we were to imagine ourselves in the shoes of somebody who has almost no money or anything material wise and we weren't able to afford any Christmas presents, even if it were for just a second, what would be the first thing you'd do in terms of giving from the heart? How would you clearly show Christmas wasn't all about the money and that it was more about thinking of creative ways of making others feel special (even if it isn't someone you know personally)?  Your thoughts please.  

And if I don't have the opportunity to write another blog on here during the month of December