Oct. 20, 2002 - Where did all the turkeys go? I know one thing—they sure aren't hanging out at any shopping center or Wal-Mart in Columbia. Last week, I went to Wal-Mart and all I saw were Christmas trees, light-up reindeer and singing Santa Clauses.

What about Thanksgiving? Personally, my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate one another. It is a time to eat a large meal and enjoy your family's company. It is not about who can buy the best gift.

It is a sad thing, but Christmas has become a contest of who can buy the most expensive, "ideal" gift. It is depressing that Christ's birthday has become commercialized.

You can't blame businesses and shopping malls for taking advantage of this ideal time to make a buck. However, it seems youth, as well as adults, have lost the true meaning of Christmas somewhere in their shopping carts.

I urge you to think about the finer things in life this Christmas. Forget about trivial presents and concentrate on family. Instead of buying an expensive gift for your boyfriend or girlfriend, visit a nursing home. To truly give, one must give of one's self.

Posted 10/23/02


Back to archives