I'm totally dismayed by all the commercialism, that starts!! after Halloween! Since I'm basically alone, daughter and her family living overseas, in the past I've accepted invitations from friends and relatives to share in their Christmases, wherein I've bought thoughtful, often expensive gifts to participate in the gift openings. In return I got "freebies" they had stored away and Dollar Store rejects as gifts from them. Something was wrong with that picture, and I've learned to abstain from such gatherings. The whole gift giving thing is a money making scam anyway.

I like what Closertothemind said about the spiritual aspects of Christmas.