With the holidays around the corner, many people are setting up and decorating for Christmas. While the true meaning of Christmas, religious or not, is meant for spending time with family. Giving and gifting presents has become a big factor in the Christmas celebration.

This year it is estimated that Americans are going to spend an average of $886 just on Christmas gifts. That amount does not include expenses on extra Christmas decorations, charity donations, or travel costs. This money-hungry idea of Christmas teaches kids that your value is strictly based on the amount your parents can spend on Christmas. This has led to over $15.2 billion in unwanted gifts.

This is the reason so many people including me have come to strongly dislike or even hate Christmas. Christmas is about spending time with loved ones and being the best version of you.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t buy any gifts, we just should teach kids that presents aren’t everything.