The holidays are filled with decorations, shopping, food, memories and much more. But with all the excitement the holidays bring, it is important to be happy, for yourself and for those around you.

The day after Thanksgiving, everything starts getting decked out in the holiday spirit. Aisles in department stores are adorned with red and green Christmas decorations, people go crazy shopping for Christmas gifts and everything seems rushed.

Whether you are celebrating the holidays with family and friends or by yourself, it is important to greet those around you with happiness and cheer.

While you’re shopping for the perfect Christmas gifts for your loved ones and friends, make sure you treat others the way you want to be treated.

While the holidays are a great time of the year for most, there are people who could use the occasional cheering up. Whether it be a compliment on one’s appearance or a small act of kindness, anything can make all the difference in someone’s attitude toward the holidays.

Christmas is always associated with being “the most wonderful time of the year,” but unfortunately, that’s not the case for everyone. There are people who have gone to great lengths to provide for their families, with little to no means to do so. There are people who have experienced hard times during the holidays, ones who will associate such a cheerful time with something so negative.

Throughout my childhood, I was very lucky. I grew up in a nice neighborhood with great friends and a loving family. Christmas was my favorite time of the year and I wasn’t afraid to show it. However, with time, my expectations of waking up on Christmas morning with dozens of presents were no longer.

There comes a time where everyone struggles with something; whether it be mourning the loss of a loved one or overcoming financial difficulties, unexpected things happen every day. When the recession hit in 2008, my family lost a lot. My mother and I lost our home and have been renting in different towns ever since.

While I know my situation doesn’t even compare to what others have to overcome, I know that things can change with the blink of an eye. When I was going through something so hard, I was lucky enough to have my family and close friends by my side, but not everyone has that.

I know how difficult times can get and I know how meaningful a simple smile or kind gesture can mean, especially to someone overcoming something so difficult.

It is impossible to truly understand exactly what is going on in someone’s head. That is why it is so important to keep that smile plastered on your face no matter the circumstances. One smile or small, kind gesture can completely transform someone’s day.