It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Twinkling lights, a bounty of decorations and who could forget about presents. With Christmas just around the corner, the final preparations for this massive holiday are being made.

But, Christmas isn’t what it used to be anymore. It used to be a time to get together with family and friends and to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Even those that are not affiliated with religious beliefs still take part in this holiday, for it has become a winter tradition.

This tradition doesn’t wait until Dec. 1 to arrive. Businesses across the country have jumped on the bandwagon as well, as early as six months in advance. The meaning of Christmas is being morphed from past religious beliefs into a season of commercialization.

This summer, I visited my local Hobby Lobby in search of scrapbooking paper. As I turned the corner, a worker was placing Christmas ornaments on the shelf. Halloween was nowhere near close to happening, yet, in the middle of the summer, Christmas was already starting to leave its mark.

Now, fast forward to November.

Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time to give thanks for the things that we have. We celebrate by enjoying a nice meal with our family and friends. It is a time for us to soak in each other’s company, but by 6 p.m., those same thankful people were out Black Friday shopping trying to get a head start on their Christmas lists.

Eighteen hours into a day that we are supposed to be celebrating what we are thankful for, we venture out to get more superfluous stuff. Sure, the deals are great, but it takes away important values from two holidays.

All throughout December, Christmas commercial after commercial are being played on TV. Connecting popular Christmas carols to their business makes it impossible to forget them. Commercials range from stating that their product is the “must have item” this holiday season or the company just wishing you a Merry Christmas. I don’t recall ever seeing a commercial wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving or a Happy Halloween.

We can’t escape the pressure of this commercialized Christmas. A holiday, that was once about giving, is becoming more and more about receiving. The latest toys on the market target young ones. These, most often pricey, items find their way onto the Christmas lists of many children.

Wanting to make their Christmas special, we give in and purchase an item that eventually winds up at the bottom of the toy box. Even though this can be argued as the gift of giving, it takes away the true meaning of that phrase.

Walk by any store and you will most likely we greeted by someone bundled up and ringing a bell. These people are the true meaning of the gift of giving. They are giving their time to help raise donations to help those who are less fortunate than many. Many times we simply walk by, shopping list in hand, without a second thought.

With all the hustle and bustle, we are quick to forget the true meaning of Christmas. It doesn’t come from any store, but from savoring the holiday with your family and friends. This lesson can be shown in the popular book and movie, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Even after the Grinch stole Christmas from Whoville, the Whos were not distressed but continued to come together and celebrate the true meaning.

Simplicity is what Christmas is all about. Not the bright lights, the decorations or even the presents. Often, we get sucked into the hypnotic jingles encouraging us to go out and buy, buy, buy.

Buying Christmas gifts for others isn’t a problem. This practice has been a long-standing tradition dating back to when the three wise men brought gifts to Jesus. What is a problem is how that Christmas has turned into a time where is it all about receiving gifts.

This holiday season try not to be a victim to this “new” type of Christmas. Remember that it is a time to spend with your loved ones and to celebrate the end of the year. It is the memories made that will stick with us, not the shiny, fancy toys.

And those memories are truly the best gift of all.