Extravagant holiday gift guides and overpriced ornaments hang on the tree, and the doorstep is empty, with no carolers to sing. This is what our society has begun to associate with the holiday season without even realizing it. Though our society has emphasized the love of gifts and the over-the-top parties, we forget the true meaning of the holidays. People begin working day and night to provide an unforgettable Christmas for their families, but in all of the time they spend trying to create the perfect holidays, they miss out on quality time with their loved ones and the magic of simple human connection.
“The Gift of Time: Why Presence Matters More Than Presents,” an article from That’s Not My Age, states: “It can be hard to find the perfect present. So rather than give something for the sake of it, share the most precious thing you have, and give someone your time. We say ‘it’s the thought that counts’ about presents that don’t quite hit the spot. Well, what nicer thought is there than ‘Let’s spend time together’?” For most people, the holidays become stressful and overwhelming. Since we spend so much time trying to give everything that everyone wants, we inevitably become burnt out and feed into overconsumption.
“Want a More Peaceful Holiday? Underconsumption Might Be the Secret—Here’s How to Embrace It,” an article from Real Simple, states: “Underconsumption can be easier to adopt when your circle of friends and family is also in on the effort. Perhaps you agree to exchange handmade or secondhand gifts, make donations or volunteer together, give experience gifts, or eliminate gifts altogether.” Some people may grow up not being very fond of the holiday season due to the way they are used to celebrating during the season; however, the misconception of it being “too late” to reimagine what these holidays truly mean to us is far from the truth.
Christine Grela, an instructor of psychology at MCC, agrees. “I don’t think it’s ever too late, but it is difficult to get off the consumerism treadmill. If you are consuming any type of media, you are being inundated with messages that you need the right shirt, toy, car, etc. to be happy. This newest product will make your life better in so many ways,” she said. “Instagram and social media influencers are solely focused on making us believe that we need whatever it is they are using to make us happy and healthy. It is really difficult to ignore those messages, but it is possible to reset—focus on quality time, practice gratitude, and emphasize what will truly make us happy.”
It is important to remember that at this time of year we all should come together more than ever to spread the holiday cheer, and there are endless ways that you can partake in spreading joy in a cost-efficient way, 
such as leaving a positive note somewhere for a stranger to find, helping an elderly neighbor with chores, volunteering for different organizations, or even a simple compliment to bring a smile to someone’s face.
In fact, giving a compliment can spark more joy than you might think. “The Power of a Compliment: How Kind Words Can Change the World,” an article from Medium, states: “Kindness has a ripple effect. Your compliment will, in theory, inspire that recipient to freely give another a compliment; then that person will be inspired to do the same; and so on. It’s mind-blowing to think about the positivity that can flow through a crowd—and the world—from something as simple as freely saying a few kind words to somebody. It’s a beautiful domino effect. Your random act of kindness in the form of a compliment can, energetically, circumnavigate the globe.”
Throughout time, the meaning of holiday joy has gotten a bit lost, but we tend to forget that even though there are many different groups of people in the world, the one thing that is consistent throughout all of them is that we are all people at the end of the day. And no matter how old or young we are, we still cherish the childlike joy of the holidays.
“Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” — Charles Dickens.
No matter what time of year or what holidays you celebrate, we always come back to the simple fact that we all need joy in our lives, and sometimes it can be hard to come by, so spreading some to others along the way can not only bring others joy but even yourself.
“I don’t think holiday joy is any different from other types of joy. If we want to be happy, we need to truly evaluate our priorities and acknowledge that things can’t make us happy, since consumerism is a cycle of constantly needing the latest, greatest thing,” Grela said. “Instead, we need to appreciate what gives meaning to our lives — our relationships with others, having a purpose, and contributing to the world in a positive way.”
