Tis the season to be extravagant. The holidays are approaching again, which means families may experience financial and emotional stress. However, families can resort to a more modest and traditional season to ease their bank accounts.

“I’ve heard of people paying double the price of toys on eBay because they were sold out at every store,” junior Sarah Llewellyn said. “It’s crazy to think we as a society stress over such small things.”

Americans are expected to spend more than 600 billion dollars on Christmas this year, according to the National Retail Federation. Each adult American will spend an average of $781, which is a jump from the $704 last year.

“Our society gets caught up in the whole gift giving,” teacher Mary Betzhold said. “It’s upsetting to think some families take on a lot of stress financially just to buy gifts for Christmas.”

Christmas has different meanings for different people around the world. While the origins and celebration of Christmas are disputed, many see it as a chance to be with loved ones.

“Christmas is a time to be with friends and family,” sophomore Madalyn Williams said. “I think that’s why so many people celebrate it.”

For the Betzhold family, it is a time for traditions.

“We always go up to see the kids’ grandparents,” Betzhold said. “We read in the Bible about the birth of Jesus, and also laugh at whoever is chosen to read ‘The Night Before Christmas.’”

With Christmas becoming a very commercialized holiday, many aspects of the season go under-appreciated or are prioritized second to gifts and preparations.

“While it’s cool seeing pretty lights and decorations,” sophomore Erin Riley said, “I wish people didn’t take family for granted.”

Although some families in the community struggle financially, there are other ways to give in an inexpensive manner.

“If you don’t have that much money to spend,” Betzhold said, “you can be creative and give more gifts from the heart, maybe more things you make yourself.”

The holidays can be stressful and cause us to overlook what is truly important.

“I think people need to focus less on the material aspects of Christmas, like getting presents,” Llewellyn said, “and more on giving back to the community and helping others that don’t have as much as we do.”

While it’s easy to get wrapped up in the commercialized holiday, Riley, like many others, understands the true gift of the season.

“If we could think more about spending time with family and helping others,” Riley said, “I think we can really make Christmas a meaningful experience for everyone.”