Appreciation. After thinking about for a while, i've finally realised what it really means. Christmas is coming and everyone's being very nice to each other. Not that they weren't before, but just that everyone's buying gifts and writing messages to other people. me included. But the material gifts aside, the thing i really treasure most is reading what people wrote on their cards to me. Some have very standard things like "you're a very nice friend" etc, some are more blunt like "you're a bit blur" or "out of point" or whatever but its ok. Why? Coz it shows people appreciate me for who i am. I'm not saying anything bad about the chocolates and sweets but i really appreciate the words i see on my cards. To quote the dove shampoo advert: "and then i felt really loved". Well.. not exactly loved but appreciated. That people think of me makes me feel great. $2 or $200 gifts dont really matter. Words do. If i could change the mindset of the world, i'd say Christmas is the season of appreciation not just a season of giving. People just buy all sorts of presents because they have to without really thinking why. Giving a gift should be because you appreciate the contribution that person has made to your life. Sweet wrappers will be thrown away, flowers will die and little knick-knacks will be chucked away after a while, but the words that people write and say will stay for a long time. Appreciate. Christmas shouldn't be used and manipulated to try and win someone's favour or impress someone. It should be about knowing what others view you and what they think of you. I'd rather not receive a gift from someone who couldn't be bothered about me. I dont even have to receive a gift. Just anything that has a sense of appreciation in it would make a really perfect Christmas.