As the holiday quickly approaches and the 25 days till Christmas keep flying by, I keep thinking about what Christmas really means to me. I was listening to Christmas music the other day when the song, "Christmas Must Be Something More" by Taylor Swift came on and while it's just a fun song to sing, it really got me thinking.

Every year we rush through all the malls and stores looking for gifts and spending money. While the feeling you get when you see someone open the present you got them is completely worth it, why do we get so caught up in this aspect of Christmas? Shouldn't we be more worried about making time to be with our families? Shouldn't we rather bake cookies, or decorate, or just enjoy each other's presence rathe than spending all of our free time out in the stores?

If all these things didn't exist and we didn't open presents, what would be left of the holiday? If there were no ribbons, bows, or material things, would Christmas still be the favorite holiday of so many people? The true meaning of the holiday is to be thankful for all of the great things and people we have surrounding us. I feel like we went from a "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" society to a "Santa Baby" way of life.

Of course I still appreciate all the gifts I've been given and will receive and I enjoy finding the perfect presents for my family and friends but I wish it could stop being all about that. Maybe it's just because I'm older and more mature, or because I've been away at school so every chance I get to spend with my family is treasured, but this change of heart is something I hope everyone experiences at some point.

So as Christmas approaches, maybe you could decide that a day you're planning to spend shopping, instead sit down and make some hot chocolate and watch a Christmas movie with your family. Or play some board games. Play in the snow. Bake some cookies. Appreciate that you're spending the holidays with your family. There's so many people who can't afford to go home this year, or are serving our country overseas, who I'm sure would give up every material item to be with their family on December 25th.

Remember the reason for the season, and have a Merry Christmas.