As the holiday season approaches, it only further reflects the ideals that our society has brought upon us this festive time of the year.

Take a stroll around the mall and you will see shop windows adorned with colorful garlands and bells, but incomplete without the advertisement of “mind-blowing” sales and “the perfect gifts for your loved ones.” Although admittedly, there would be a significant amount of tradition lost with the removal of this materialism, as an adolescent, sometimes I find myself questioning the need behind this commercialism.

Come back to school the week after Christmas break and you’ll hear kids boasting about their especially large haul of presents for the year, or that one particular standout video game or jacket that they received.

When a parent or anyone for that matter takes the time to pick out a present that they know the receiver will enjoy, there is an obvious degree of thought that goes into this. It seems like over the years, however, a large amount of this appreciation has been lost — with kids no longer carefully peeling the wrapping paper of their presents and reading the cards but rather a more hasty “here’s a $50 gift card” type of exchange.

In the midst of all this, the positive thing is that our society is still able to adhere to the idea of this time of the year being the “giving season,” with winter being the peak of gift exchanges, food and coat drives and an overall overwhelming show of generosity and care to those in need. Christmas caroling at nursing homes and orphanages, helping out at soup kitchens and volunteering at various other community outreach places are other examples.

Although glittering lights, gift giving and sweet treats are arguably the biggest part of what makes up this time of the year, this appreciation and generosity is perhaps the most important aspect of the holiday season. I highly encourage you to reflect on your life and what you can do to help those around you this holiday season — even the simplest gift of a smile can work wonders.

Christina Dias is a 14-year-old Redmond resident who is a poet and blogger. Her blog, Merry Go Round, can be found at christina-merry-go-round.blogspot.com.