One of my wishes for Christmas this year:

So this wish is just based on something that I keep seeing that has been bugging me more and more, and what better place to get it out of my system than in Blog World!

What I wish for Christmas this year, and every year after, is that people would stop putting so much importance on the financial aspect of the season. This time of year is meant to celebrate the birth of our Savior and to share the blessings he has provided to us with our family and friends. I am not going to preach here about how the reason for the season has veered away from the truth, but I am going to gripe about the fact that there is such an emphasis on money during this time of year.

If people aren't complaining about the fact that they have to spend money on gifts, then it seems they are bragging about just how much money they did spend on gifts. The amount of money spent on a gift should not be a focus at all during the holidays.

When I get a gift for someone, I think about that person and look for something that I know they would really like or need, and when I give it to them, I do not make a big deal about how much it cost, even when it is expensive. The cost of the gift is not the importance, but the thought and love that went into choosing and giving it, THAT is what matters to me.

I see people give gifts and then brag to each other about how they went all out, and "It was expensive, but you're worth it." Trust me, if someone is "Worth it", then most likely, they already know they mean that much to you and don't need to be reminded of the financial worth of their friendship. And at the same time, I don't think people realize how inferior that can make others feel.

I will stop whining now, but I will keep up hopes that at some point the focus will go back to the love and the magic of the season and that the main "Green" symbol of the season will become a beautiful tree, not dollar signs!