It seems that every year, you hear the same old cliches about Christmas:

“It’s all about commercialism!”

“Buying gifts isn’t worth the effort!”

“All the holidays do is make you 10 pounds fatter!”

Modern society’s cynicism surrounding Christmas and the greater holiday season has grown to levels that would make even Ebenezer Scrooge blush.

Don’t get us wrong: for many corporations, Christmas is all about the almighty dollar. Spending five minutes watching a deluge of winter-themed advertisements, beseeching you to purchase the life-altering Galaxy Pixel Nexus 74 X for that special third cousin you met at your sister’s wedding once, to have that fact shoved in your face.

We are not going to tell you that coming up with gift ideas that do not include the words “socks” or “gift card to a fast food place that will likely give the recipient a coronary” is a piece of cake, either. The holidays can be hectic, especially when you’re the type of person who waits until the last possible minute to rush the mall to purchase gifts for all 30 people on your list (you know who you are).

However, there is still a lot of magic left this time of year. All you have to do is open your eyes and look.

You can find it in the eyes of Salvation Army bell ringers stationed outside your local department store, happily withstanding the cold and snow to encourage others to give to those in need in the community.

You can find it at places like Wesner Automotive in Buchanan, which has become flooded with new for its Toys for Tots campaign.

You can find it inside the home of Dowagiac Mary Kay sales rep Kimberly Vanderbelt, who is buying and wrapping Christmas gifts for local nursing home residents.

The spirit of giving that roars to life during the Yuletide season is not going anywhere anytime soon. It’s enough to make anyone’s heart grow three sizes in one day.

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of General Manager Ambrosia Neldon and editors Scott Novak and Ted Yoakum.