I’ve always believed the scariest place to be in the city is a cab, clearly this was before I experienced Bloomingdale’s during the holidays.

Holiday shopping can be a nightmare and last minute college budget shopping is even worse.

As the stress of finals comes to an end, so begins the stress of holiday shopping.

Through the madness of my own procrastinating over last minute holiday shopping, it has become evident the majority of shoppers are missing the point.

Over Thanksgiving break, I watched all the busy shoppers hurriedly shuffle past the bell ringers and file into the nearest Starbucks with bags in hand.

I understand everyone cannot donate at every salvation army stop, but what are people doing for others in the spirit of the season?

It’s not so much about making huge contributions to others, but about common curiosity.

The day after Thanksgiving at a Wal-mart in Orange City, Fla., a woman was knocked unconscious for a DVD player, according to Local 6 news reports. The woman was then trampled by a mob of shoppers who stepped over her as she suffered a seizure. She was found by paramedics lying unconscious on her left side on top of the DVD player.

Will the crazed shoppers ever fade? It’s the Cabbage Patch Kid doll rage all over again. Or is it the New Kids on the Block fad again? If it’s not one thing, it’s another.

I’ll be the first to admit I get swept up in shopping quite frequently to say the least, but ironically, I also believe Christmas is not the time to do so.

Though it sounds lame, what ever happened to friendliness and kindness in the spirit of the holiday?

At the very least, people can demonstrate common decency. Others offer their generosities by donating time over cash. So many others offer help at shelters, hospitals, children’s organizations, elderly homes or other places in their community.

So many people get so wrapped up in the gift giving process, they focus the holiday on the wrong sentiments.

Americans take for granted how great we have it daily. The holidays are not only about being with the ones you love, but also reaching out to others.

Sometimes when you are away at school as a college student, you live in a segregated bubble: a college town where you worry solely on your own well-being. Passing classes, paying rent and getting a job are your top priorities.

There are opportunities to help out in the Charleston community, but with hectic school life many students do not have time.

Only when you are on breaks and back home do you often have the time and opportunities to help others and go beyond your own needs.

The holidays should bring people closer and serve as a reminder of all we have to be thankful for. What I look forward to most about the holiday season is spending time with family and friends.

Maybe this is what everyone else believes as well, and these vicious acts of shopping are committed with good intentions for their loved ones in mind.

Luckily, I have so many shopping bags I won’t have to share a cab to Starbucks with any of these shoppers (wink).