Tis 'the little things' that matter

The holiday season is upon us and for most of us students, our heads are either crammed with last minute knowledge for finals or glued to our computer screens, shopping for the perfect Christmas gifts.

It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of holiday sales and Christmas specials on ABC Family. However, we should all take the time to appreciate the most important aspect of the holidays, no matter which one you celebrate, which is the time spent away from our work and shopping to spend with family and friends.

Holiday time is a time to appreciate family, the people who love you unconditionally and support you in everything you do. Holidays are a great way to say “hey stop stressing over all the frivolities of life and relax with the people you care most about.”

While this is obviously important to cherish, we can also think of the people who are not so fortunate as to have anyone in their lives to spend these holidays with. The University recently endorsed the 12 Acts of Christmas Kindness, which was started by Hillary Sadlon. This is a way to encourage the Seton Hall community to think about those less fortunate when we are ripping into our presents Christmas morning.

Sure it is easy to say we will all wake up at 6:00 a.m. to volunteer at a food bank Christmas morning, but it is another thing to actually do it. We all are not saints, although Sadlon may be, but we all can do something over our winter break to give back. Whether it be shoveling snow for a neighbor or simply holding a door for a stranger (before you dash ahead for the 50 percent off sales), every little thing matters.

Just trying to be a nicer person for the holiday season (although we hope it sticks throughout the year) is a good way to participate in the 12 Acts of Christmas Kindness. You may not want to do 12, you may only do five or three or maybe you’ll do 100 kind acts. Whatever it is, do it. You don’t need to change the world to make someone’s Christmas a little brighter.