Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

Contrary to popular belief however, Christmas excitement shouldn’t be confined to receiving or giving gifts. To me, the holidays are about so much more than just the presents. Don’t get me wrong, waking up in the wee hours of a winter morning to see a pile of wrapped mysteries is a great feeling; but Christmas spirit is too often limited to the excitement for new goodies and items.

People get too caught up in the Christmas gift high that they miss the entire season. The holidays should be about the whole atmosphere–the holiday movie marathons with a sizzling fire, the Sunday afternoon trip to find the widest and fullest tree, or the hot cocoa to lull one to sleep in late hours of Christmas Eve.

Not to mention the absence of a stressful school workload, the anticipation for the holiday or just the cheerful, spirited morale shared by many.

For many, the reason for the season is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. But if that’s not your reason, then make sure yours more than just the Christmas morning presents underneath the tree.