Raineer..

Im with you. For the last 3 yrs Ive opted NOT to travel the 1000 klm journey to family and all that xmas waste...not because Im too tightfisted or want to spoil anyones enjoyment..

But because Im so fed up with the hypocrisy of it all.

Has xmas lost lost its meaning..I ask what was the true meaning of xmas in the 1st place?

Going broke over something few people believe in anymore is insanity.

Wow! A glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel? Do I actually see here posts from people who detest the Christmas period as much as I do? I don't hate Christmas because it's a Christian tradition mixed in the usual Christian way with pagan rituals, but because of how it's been corrupted by corporate greed. It's all about getting more money in the till than last year. If we could get through Christmas without feeling guilty about having to buy useless gifts for people who not only don't want than, but who also don't appreciate them and get back to a simplistic "one day of the year" family get-together, then I could handle Christmas day, but try telling that to my two boys and my grandchildren. Nope! I'll be forced by guilt to endure this year the same as last. Maybe we could form an "anti commercial Christmas" website. I'm sure it would be filled with like minded people in no time at all.