What to ask for Christmas this year?

Ironically from my last post, my mother forces me to create a Christmas List each year. Yes, she is aware of my Christmas hatred. Most years, I would have complied and created a typed list, two months in advance, color-coded, and with the links for her to order the items, but not this year. I could chalk it up to being in college and being infinitely more busy, but in reality that is not really the case. Truth be told, I think I have reached a point in my life where I don’t really need or want anything.

            Being a girl, this is strange for me because I am a constant shopper. But, when asked to make my list year I was dumbfounded. Yes, I could ask for a new purse or those new shoes I have been eyeing but being in college has completely altered my perception on life. I know this sounds very philosophical but it is actually just reality. My dorm is miniscule compared to my room back home and ask any of my friends I have extremely difficult keeping it clean.

            But my mom has still been nagging me to make a list and I had little to show for the hours spent on the Nordstrom's website. I’m still trying to figure it out, but I know that money from one of my gifts will go to the Smile Train, which is a service that allows people to make donations for underprivileged children to get needed clef palate surgery. This gives me a great sense of joy that even though I am at a lost of material gifts, I am giving a gift that will go a lot further than this season’s bag.

What Has Christmas Come Too?

           Christmas is an enchanting time for those who are infatuated with the season. I am not a fan of Christmas and this is shocking to most people. After the age of five, I never really got the appeal. Five happens to be the age when I found out Santa was really my parents. (Thanks to a rather unfortunate Christmas morning tape that showed my parent putting the presents under the tree.) Yes, I still get presents even though my family knows my dislike for this holiday. My mother refuses to buy me anything for two months before this dreaded day, so I, of course, have to make a Christmas list. But with my weekly checkup on the news, I discovered a video that was exposing imported good that were counterfeit. Now, my first reaction was to laugh, no offense to all those Christmas lovers. Even though I'm a Grinch, I still give gifts to loved ones and friends, so this concerning to the state of the gifts I was giving.

            As the video progressed, it showed top brands being counterfeited and even some common items being turned into weapons. Finding gift items turned into weapons is a bit frightening. I may not like Christmas, but I still give gifts and having the fear of the gift that I give someone not be what it is actually is or even a weapon can ruin anyone’s day. I understand people wanting to get the best possible gift for someone at the best price. But wouldn't you want the gifts to be real? The Christmas Season brings a whole set of stressors; now enter the fake Christmas gifts, which adds to the list.

            Why has Christmas become about presents? Yes, every little kid looks for Christmas because of presents but even adults have become obsessed with presents. Christmas originally was to celebrate the birth of Christ. But has become this crazy holiday about trees, lights, and a fictional character that delivers presents in one night. Is it just because we live in a consumer driven society that Christmas has become this way? Instead of focusing on the materialistic aspect of Christmas and who can get the best gifts, maybe we should think about what it really is, the birth of Christ. Then perhaps, our world would be a safer and better place during this Season.

Does It Really Matter?

Since it's institution, the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy has been very controversial. To the never soldiers, it doesn't really matter, whether the policy is overturned. Older soldiers are more reluctant for this to happen. This difference is completely due to the different time each grew up in. Newer generations are more accepting where older soldiers are not. The military has never really been liberal but maybe it is time for a little change. 

But why does it really matter if gay soldiers openly serve? Once out there they have all had the same training. So, on a battle field are you really going to question whether or not the soldier next to you is going to have your back just because he is gay. I think not. It won't matter if they are gay once they saved your life. The Military’s rules are old-fashioned but, they desperately need to change with the times.