THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9412140435
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TIFFANY ALEXANDER
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Bells are jingling. Sleigh bells are ringing. And carolers are singing. Once again, the holiday season is upon us.
Little boys all across America will ask for the new Sega tape or the bright red Tonka truck. Young girls will request the newest baby doll or that pretty outfit they saw while shopping with Mommy.
Gift giving has always been an important part of Christmas in America. Sadly, the more important aspects of the holiday season no longer flourish in today's society.
Nowadays, too much emphasis is placed on gifts - giving and receiving. What about the meaningful things such as family, friends, and good health?
Holidays are supposed to be filled with joy and happiness. They're supposed to be all about sharing and making others feel better.
Recently, the idea of helping others has been replaced with the notion of looking out for number one. People buy each other gifts based on what they feel they will get in return. Or they spend a lot of money they don't have to impress distant relatives or former classmates they haven't seen in years.
Granted, economic situations haven't been the best for the last few years. Some people probably really want to buy expensive presents for their loved ones, but their financial situation won't allow it. What needs to be realized in this situation is that it truly is the thought that counts.
As my twentieth birthday peeks from around the corner, I remember my years in elementary school. I remember anxiously awaiting Christmas programs, decorating the tree with my brother and sister, and running to whisper what I wanted into Santa's ear as he sat in front of the J.C. Penney store.
I used to love making decorations out of popcorn and cranberries. Nothing in the world was more spectacular than watching our tree light up for the first time.
Look at how things have changed in a short period of time. Today, my cousins are no longer satisfied with candy canes and chocolates in their stockings. Such gifts would be seen as an insult. They want gold chains and car keys.
If I found a new sweater under the tree in my earlier years, I was happy. Now, my siblings aren't content unless they find a new leather jacket and the latest Guess or Jabot outfits.
What have we done to Christmas? How did we manage to trivialize it?
Whether you choose to celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or anything else, do as I will do.
When you open your presents, remember the parents who would love to shower their children with gifts but can't afford to. Remember the children who will never see another holiday because they accidentally died in adrive-by shooting, or, even more tragic, at the hands of their mother.
When you sit down to eat with your family, remember the people who have no one with whom to spend the holidays. Remember the homeless who have no food and would give anything to be in your situation.
When you light the candles, remember previous holiday seasons and think of how meanings have changed during your life.
That is what I'll be doing. MEMO: Tiffany M. Alexander is a sophomore mass media arts major at Hampton
University. by CNB