The aroma of fresh baked cookies fill the air as it moves from the oven to every corner of the house. Cinnamon spice candles are finally in stores. Mint chocolate and holiday drinks are sold in restaurants and coffee shops. The spirit of Christmas is in the air, and it could not get better than this.

The spirit of giving and service is more prominent than the rest of the year, and it warms the hearts of those not only receiving the help but giving it as well. People volunteer at food drives, soup kitchens and bake cookies for friends and family. During the holiday season, school clubs organize service projects to give back to the community. Student Council is holding a food drive, Interact started a teddy bear drive for the local nursing home, and Leadership Education Opportunity (LEO) helped pick up the trash after school to lighten the workload for the school’s custodial staff. These acts of service come along with all of the positive connotations of the Christmas season. 

Traditions ignite the holiday spirit in the home and with friends and families. Fun dress up days are held at school to keep the spirit all month long. School organizations hold Secret Santa and White Elephant gift exchanges. Presents are given to friends and family, but the gift exchange itself is not the only part of the season. For some, a main part is finding that perfect something while out Christmas shopping because giving brings just as much joy, if not more, than receiving their own present. Families decorate their homes and cover them with strings of lights. The beautiful combination of green and red can be found around every corner and are special for the holiday season, holding religious symbols and reminders. 

Christmas is connotated with Santa Claus and some believe it is wrong for parents to lie and encourage their children into believing in this mythical figure, but there are meaningful reasons for this seeming wrongful behavior. Teenagers and adults remember what it was like to believe in Santa Claus. They remember the joy that came from their childlike wonder and more than that, they believed a great being was watching over them. After the magic of Santa is gone, it can be lived through younger siblings, nieces and nephews. By preserving their wonder and belief in magic, they too can still feel the wonder they once had. Telling children about Santa is not necessarily a terrible lie parents tell their children. It is a symbol of hope and the desire to be good.

The meaning of Christmas can be covered by all of the gifts and possible greed that come with them. Christmas often becomes all about store sales and who got the best or biggest gift. Children and adults alike do indeed need to remember the true meaning of Christmas rather than focusing on presents and selfishness. Gift giving is not wrong by any means, but the spirit of Christmas must be preserved while still celebrating holiday traditions. 

The month of December is truly the best time of the year. Students are excited for the winter break and the end of the semester. Teachers are filled with glee as they participate in dress up days. Clubs do service and remember to give back to their community. Lights and astounding decorations can be seen on evening drives in quiet neighborhoods. The story of the first Christmas is shared with friends and family, reminding them of the true, pure meaning of the precious holiday.