Holidays should be about family, not fighting for gifts

It is that time of the year. City streets glimmer with Christmas lights, snow covers the ground, families reunite and then there is that idea of holiday cheer.

I know I am not alone when I say that knowing the end of classes is in the near future gives me a little boost of holiday cheer.

Every year I look forward to seeing family that does not live in the area, seeing the decorations around town, and of course the amazing food my grandma makes.

When I was younger, these were the aspects of the holidays I noticed and really enjoyed.

I feel as though as we get older we forget some of the more important pieces of the holidays. As college students we are at a point of change.

Within the next few years many of us will get married and start families if we have not already.

For me, getting married may have been that point when holidays changed from lights and family to shopping and budgeting.

Society as a whole has changed this season into a time of panic.

These changes surrounding the holidays are obvious anytime you drive to the mall from now to December 26.

Stepping into Oak Park Mall is like stepping into a war zone during World War III where even an accidental bump is worth a yelling match.

And you better know where absolutely every car is on the road and what the person inside the car is thinking because one inch to close when passing and road rage mania will ensue.

After realizing my own changes I find it more than necessary to warn others of this growing problem in our society.

Holidays should be about family and food and that time we finally get to spend with the people we miss.

It should not be a war zone each time we step out of our homes.

At this point I would challenge each person to remember holidays as they once were - as they were when we were young and times were much simpler.

If you are one of the people like me that may be guilty of losing sight of the real importance of the holidays it is not like it is too late.

This is that time that we can take a step back and look at everything that we hold important in our lives.

We must not forget why the holidays are important.