Okay, please hold the screams and gasps, but for the past few years I haven't really liked the Christmas season. 'Are you human'? ' Do you have a soul'? Move out of America!' are some of the typical responses I receive from people when they discover this shocking secret I hold.

I think everyone loves Christmas because it brings them back to their childhood. Making really ugly ornaments at school and watching that clay movie with the abominable snowman; memories like these just bring back happiness. Memories, happy kids, being with friends and family, lights and hugs'these are the things I absolutely love about Christmas time.

So what made me start loathing Christmas? I think I grew up and realized just how stressful this season can be. I walked in Starbucks Nov. 10 of this year, and it was decorated for Christmas. Are you kidding me?

This is why I don't like Christmas; commercialism. All the stores are taking this happiness we hold for Christmas, and using it to make a profit. It's the Christmas hype. The mall is crowded, you get stuck in traffic, trying to buy presents is a hassle, and people get mad at each other over commercial things. What has happened to us? Is this really what Christmas is about? I understand that people buy presents to show their love for one another, and I would be lying if I said I wouldn't care if I didn't get anything for Christmas. But if your kid doesn't get a PS3, is he really going to go on a shooting spree?

We need to make sure children realize that yeah, Christmas is about Santa, but it's also about love and joy, as corny as that sounds. Does anybody really remember Jesus? I don't think God was like, 'We'll make this holiday for my only son, and everyone will go crazy buying presents and forgot that it's even about him. Sweet!'

I think I started realizing the mixed up priorities of Christmas around my sophomore year of high school. I had no money to buy Christmas presents and was pretty stressed out about it so my parents told me kindly to, 'Get off your bum and get a job!'

So I got my first job, a Christmas elf at the mall (I'm not ashamed.) I wore a costume and shook a reindeer in front of a camera while trying to get a three-month-old crying infant to 'Smile!' People were not nice. Complaining about prices and lines, swearing in front of their children; it just disgusted me. Lately, moving away from the mall has helped me bring back some of my Christmas cheer. COC makes me very happy and I think it's awesome how many UD students get involved. The kids are truly happy; they don't have a care in the world, and this is what Christmas is about. These kids don't have a lot and look forward to this all year. We are able to help make their Christmas. Think about that. Maybe if we all start acting more like kids, and shut out some of this commercialism we will be able to find the true meaning of Dec. 25.

So this Christmas season maybe buy a little less and love a little more. Let that person go in front of you in line, call up your grandma, and give someone a present that is truly from the heart. Try not to get caught up in the hype and get caught up in the holiday.