Real: Focus on the important things this holiday season

By: FN Editorial

A common topic in recent issues of the Flyer News Opinions section has been the commercialization of the “holiday season.” Writers have expressed concern over the gradual blending of the fall and winter holidays, to the point that Christmas decorations appear as early as Halloween.

Our beloved holidays, traditionally recognizing important religious or cultural milestones, have become celebrations of consumerism. In the flood of commercials, decorations and toys, we’ve lost sight of the important things these days once stood for.

As the semester wraps up, we are all exhausted. Students are tired from months of studying and a solid week of final exams, so the last thing we should be expected to do is participate in the hyperactive circus that is our modern, consumerized holiday season.

The holidays themselves can be a period of celebration, rejuvenation and relaxation, but the “holiday season” has become a time of non-stop action, and by the end, it’s entirely superficial. What do we really gain from hitting the holiday sales? What do we really learn while waiting in line for the next hot gadget?

We’re all exhausted from the semester, and we shouldn’t have to put up with these frivolous parts of the holiday “celebration.”

It’s time to put an end to the commercialization of Christmas, Thanksgiving, the New Year, etc. Instead, use this Christmas break as a time of well-deserved rest and reflection.

Don’t let the non-stop jewelry commercials distract you from what’s really important this season: spending time with family and friends and reflecting on recent experiences.

So for the next week and half, we should focus on our studies. Don’t worry about being exhausted at the end of the semester. We have plenty of time to relax when class is dismissed.