When we were younger, we always picked out a special gift or present that we wanted. If it was a Lego set, it was a very specific Lego set. If it was a Barbie set, it had to be the right edition. There was a time when we counted down the days until Christmas because the prospect of finding tons of toys under the tree was thrilling.
As we get older, we come to a very real fact. The older we get, the less and less exciting it is to unwrap a gift. And it’s not because we don’t enjoy the simple pleasure of unwrapping a present. It is because the reality is that we want gifts that are intangible.
The older we get, the more we realize that our Christmas wishes aren’t objects anymore. That’s not what our happiness is based on. We start to wish about other aspects in our life, such as love, family and careers. You start to realize that your list is a lot shorter every year because the gifts we want can’t be bought. Some of us crave happiness. Some crave the embrace of a specific person. It’s a little bittersweet, but we come to the simple realization that Christmas means a lot more when you’re celebrating people and not toys and presents.
Instead, we find comfort in drinking hot chocolate and watching Elf with our best friend. We look forward to watching someone unwrap a thoughtful gift instead of unwrapping our own. We become a lot more fulfilled with the experiences than the objects.
So as the holidays are approaching, think about the people who mean the most to you. Express your gratitude for the people in your life that truly mean something to you. In a lot of ways, life really is a gift. While you’re fretting over the sales and trying to find the perfect gift, also make sure you show love to the friends and family that support you at all costs.
If you love someone, tell them.
Merry Christmas, and bring in the new year with a happy, healthy mindset.
