It’s that time of the year again. Millions of children across the United States are preparing for Santa Claus to deliver the top items on their wish lists. Wrapping paper and bows will fly off presents with euphoric Christmas joy. And although the feeling we get when receiving presents is great, it just doesn’t compare to the wonder of giving.

Around the holidays, we can get so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget the people we love. Instead of focusing in on our family and friends, we tend to remain selfish and place ourselves first. Because of this, it is common for us to forget the wonder of giving during the Christmas season.

“I think in general we get too wrapped up in the materialism and consumerism of our age,” said social studies teacher Mr. Asher.

Spanish teacher Señorita Sullivan agrees.

“We are very focused on ourselves year round and on what we need. Christmas is the time of the year to refocus and remember that we should be giving to other people too,” said Srta. Sullivan.

It’s not easy to avoid the materialistic trap that coincides with the holidays. Advertising and social media pressure constantly tell us that the new gadgets and items are all “must buys.” Every other commercial on TV seems to be a bombardment of manipulative capitalism. Although succumbing to shopping madness is the easy thing to do, choosing the selfless route is certainly the more relieving. When our loved ones receive Christmas magic, we can feel wonderful knowing that we took part in creating that emotion.

“Whenever you give something, I feel like it’s to someone that is in need of something, instead of something cool that is just going to sit around,” said junior Tyler Johnson.

This Christmas season, remember the joy of giving. They say that you get what you give, so maybe the kindest people do indeed receive the greatest joy of all. Merry Christmas, St. Dominic!