It’s the most wonderful time of the year, according to holiday enthusiasts. Holiday enthusiasts tell us to bake, to shop, to wrap presents, to clean, to spend time with family during the holidays; they want us to do merely everything. But what if I don’t feel like doing everything? I’ll be the first to say it; the holidays aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.

The holidays, for those who celebrate, are meant to be heartwarming and joyful. They are a time to spend those long waited hours with family and friends; a time to relax and celebrate. But with this “relaxation” also comes stress. Buying presents for family members is not that fun when you’re a broke teenager. Prepping for a family to come requires cleaning and demands from mothers to finish our chores. Celebrators spend weeks preparing for a single night.

I’m not saying that I hate the holidays, but they do accompany some stress. Statistics even say so. According to a survey done by Healthline, 62 percent of people who took the survey described their stress level as “very or somewhat” increased during the holidays. People worry about the cost of the holidays and the extreme busyness of it all rather than enjoying them.

The holidays are a wonderful time of the year, but they could be even better and less stressful if people were willing to avoid the materialistic aspects of it all. In America, we are so focused on buying gifts and making our houses look pish-posh for our guests, that we avoid the true meaning of the holidays. This holiday season, try to be a bit more thankful for family, friends and faith and a little less worried about trying to make the holidays perfect. Instead of stressing about what presents to give a friend or family member, spend actual time with them. This is one of the most valuable gifts you can give. Instead of going to Christmas parties where you know you’ll only be stressed at, stay at home and watch a holiday movie with your family. There are ways to make the holiday season feel the way it should: joyful and comforting.