Dear Piper,

You ask, "Will we ever get to the point where
Christmas is 'International Gift Day?'"

To some people, it already is.

I think this thread has now had its run and
I'd like to Thank everyone who contributed to it.
I'll leave you with one of my favourite Christmas
carols (Rolf Harris - Six White Boomers):

Early on one Christmas Day a Joey Kangaroo
Was far from home and lost in a great big zoo
Mummy, where's my mummy? They've taken her away
We'll help find your mummy, son, hop up on the sleigh

Up beside the bag of toys little Joey hopped
But they hadn't gone far when Santa stopped
Unharnessed all the reindeer and Joey wondered why
Then he heard a far off booming in the sky

Six white boomers, snow white boomers
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun
Six white boomers, snow white boomers
On his Australian run

Pretty soon old Santa began to feel the heat
Took his fur lined boots off to cool his feet
Into one popped Joey, feeling quite okay
While those old man kangaroos kept pulling on the sleigh

(chorus) Six white boomers...

Joey said to Santa, "Santa, what about the toys?
Aren't you giving some to these girls and boys?"
"They've got all their presents, son, we were here last night
This trip is an extra trip, Joey's special flight"

(chorus) Six white boomers ...

Soon the sleigh was flashing right past Marble Bar
"Slow down there," cried Santa, "It can't be far."
Come up on my lap here, son, and have a look around
There she is, that's mummy, bounding up and down

(chorus) Six white boomers ...

Well, that's the bestest Christmas treat that Joey ever had
Curled up in his mother's pouch feeling snug and glad
The last they saw was Santa heading northwards from the sun
The only year the boomers worked a double run

(chorus) Six white boomers...