What's So Special About the Holidays?

By Joy Thiel

Holidays, like Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and Thanksgiving have brought the people in America closer together and have shown what “good will towards men” really means. What truly makes people so charitable and cheerful around the fall and winter holidays? Is it the food, gifts, or just the holiday spirit? “I think around this time people realize how fortunate they are, and perhaps they may want to share their wealth, whether it be materialistic or straight from the heart,” stated senior Ebony Bryant.

The holidays around this time of year demand much attention. The media is a big part of the madness because they not only advertise these holidays, but also tell people how they should celebrate them. With all these thoughts at hand, one might think that this special time of year is a time to reflect on life and do a good deed or two to make you look better.

It is a very good thing to help others who are less fortunate or act a little nicer to the fellow comrade, but some take opportunity during these holidays to do these things. The fall and winter holidays were not only established for giving and receiving gifts, eating delicious food, and spending time with family, but its also sets aside a time to give thanks, reflect, and the begin a new start.

Year after year, on Thanksgiving, people from wealthy backgrounds and government officials go to homeless shelters to feed the poor. They merely do this to make themselves look better in the public eye, and show some holiday cheer to those less fortunate. “I think feel thankful around the holidays and need to help the unfortunate for a good peace of mind,” said senior William Orautes. This is pointless, because these homeless people never hear from these so-called “do-gooders” again. But they’re not the only ones committing this wrongful act of deceit. Middle class citizens also help at benefits like this to make them feel better too. What makes people think that it’s okay to do things like this? “I think people are more charitable around the fall and winter holidays because they expect something in return, if they didn’t they would be charitable all year round,” said senior Krysten Garrett.

People in society today are forgetting not only what's important in life but also the holidays. It’s good to do nice things for people, such as feeding the homeless, and collecting gifts to give to a gift drive. The fascinating thing about the holidays is that people never capture the true essence of the holidays and apply it to their everyday lives. So what truly makes people so cheerful and charitable around this special time of year? “I think people welcome a break from the monotonous day to day routine. Also people like to receive gifts during this time, which puts them in a better mood to give. Because courtesy is contagious,” says junior Conrad Curry. What’s important is that people do good deeds because they genuinely want to help someone. It’s also important to remember that these holidays only come around once year so make the most of it.