The holiday seasons are upon us in the next coming months; however, Christmas started in July according to Hobby Lobby and Hallmark. Companies capitalize on the joy that the holidays bring us, providing us with material things that distract the true meaning of the holidays. 

Christmas is supposed to be about spending time with family and appreciating what we have rather than what we do not have. It is easy to get so wrapped up in buying the perfect gift for friends and family with the constant advertisement of the newest deals and latest presents to give. Holidays become materialistic when the presents, the food, and even the decorations become more important than celebrating the actual holiday.

People are worrying over what they are getting for Christmas instead of being thankful for what they have. There are so many families who are not as fortunate as most who cannot afford lots of presents, cannot decorate their homes with Christmas cheer, or cannot even afford food on the table. If people put too much emphasis on the materialistic aspects of Christmas, they lose sight of what is really important. 

Thanksgiving is another over-commercialized holiday despite the fact that it is overlooked sometimes due to Christmas coming soon. A holiday solely created to give thanks for everything and everyone we have around us has become mainly about eating copious amounts of food. It is important to remember why are we having this holiday in the first place. Besides it is not the pumpkin pie or the turkey we had at Thanksgiving that we are going to remember, it is sweet moments spent with family and friends that we are going to cherish and remember. 

This year it is time to remember the important things that make the holidays so special, and cherish those around us.