This Christmas season is different for me, and I feel as though it is for the people around me, too. I finished up my first semester of college, turned 19, made new friends, and had so many new experiences. While doing all of this, I gained a lot of perspective about my life. I’ve realized how I’m incredibly blessed. I’m blessed to be where I am in this life, and as Christmas approaches, the more I realized I don’t really need any more things. Things cost money, and everyone says that money can’t buy you happiness. Sure, money can buy you a new car, or a new house. Money can buy you food, which makes me REALLY happy. However, the real “things” that matter in life are people and relationships.

This Christmas, I don’t need a new computer or a tv to be happy. I am celebrating my relationships with the people around me and the birth of my Savior. Those two will satisfy me forever by being the presents that money can’t buy.

Of course this is easier said than done because when it’s the holiday season, it’s the season of giving. Since I love the people around me and care about them, I want to spoil them and buy them tons of gifts. I wish I had all the money in the world so I could buy my parents a mansion and a boat and a lifetime supply of Coke and all of the blankets in the world and four dogs and everything else they want. But I’m also a college student. This season, I’m learning. I’m learning that it’s OKAY not to shower people with gifts and presents because sometimes, I just don’t have the money for it. What’s important is love. It’s important for me to love on people, especially during Christmas, as our heavenly Father was born to love us all unconditionally.

I don’t want a bunch of things. I don’t NEED any new things. I only want and need to keep spreading love and keep receiving it from the people in my life who mean a lot to me, and I’d like to always show it to everyone. I want to learn more and grow. I want to keep striving to be better than I ever could imagine, and I want to live more like Jesus. This Christmas, I want to unwrap my brain and receive ideas and perspective. I want to open up my heart and offer it to people who need extra love. The gifts of love and friendship, especially unconditional, will never grow old or run out. There is no expiration date on them, and they’re always re-giftable.