**Photo designed by Dylan Ryu.** Milk and Cookies for Santa Claus.

It’s that time of year again—bells are jingling, the radio is only playing one type of music, and the smell of nutmeg and cinnamon is wafting through the air.

And yet, this season has lost some of its magic—some of its warmth. Far too many have stopped believing in one of the purest sources of childhood joy: Santa Claus.

Santa Claus is real. Maybe not in the movie way of a jolly man breaking in through the chimney, but he is very, very real.

In the same way that happiness brings us joy, sadness brings us tears and hope drives us in daily life, Santa Claus brings us merriment, a spirit of giving, a celebration of a year gone by and those who made that year meaningful.

This isn’t an argument of semantics, nor of denial; we can fight over the Tooth Fairy later.

In truth, Santa Claus is special as an image, as a brand, as a myth. While the man we see depicted in movies may be fiction, the mental image and joy associated with opening a present lovingly addressed from “Santa Claus” growing up is quite real, and it’s important to respect and foster that joy.

We learn myths to guide us to live better, to be better people. For children and adults alike, Santa Claus is our excuse for anonymous, unabashed altruism—for arguing that giving matters and a smile is worth our time, money and thoughtfulness.

Through Santa Claus, we fight as a culture to preserve a greater belief in a world where people get what they deserve; if we’re good, compassionate people, we will come to receive what makes us happy.

Even during the Great Depression, families left plates of cookies and milk for Santa Claus to teach children that it was important to give to others and show gratitude for the gifts they receive, despite it being an era of economic hardship, according to History.

This is not an excuse for materialism, or the rampant commercialism that has become associated with the holiday season. But, it is a call to remember that the smallest of gifts given through true altruism, with no goal greater than to bring a smile to a deserving person's face, may be the beauty in the holidays. The spirit of Santa Claus asks us for something more: to give and let another myth take the credit for our actions—simply put, for us to do good with no reward.

This holiday season, be someone else's Santa Claus. There are many in the world deserving of our kindness, compassion and generosity—Santa Claus is a chance to embody that. Whether it be through giving to a younger family member or supporting one of the numerous non-profits who act in Santa’s name, help Santa Claus live on.

To those who don't celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, I encourage you to embrace the secular shift we have seen in the holiday and join us in a season of giving. There is someone in your life who Santa Claus could help.

In the meantime, I’ll be baking some cookies to leave out on Christmas Eve.