In terms of the reference to cards, the 2.65 billion Christmas cards sold each year in the U.S. could fill a football field 10 stories high. If we each sent one card less, we’d save 50,000 cubic yards of paper. This came from: http://bgm.stanford.edu/pssi_faq_holiday_waste

Christmas has very much become far too commercial. For nearly everyone in the western world and for the rich and elite end of town. That is why I feel upper class households SHOULD NOT be getting rid of at least one present at Christmas as they do at present.

This is extremely selfish, when these people should be giving to charities at Christmas time and supporting the poor - even overseas, who are going without, suffering and starving. Poor people overseas don't get a Christmas turkey or even a Christmas pudding.

As for the atheists who like celebrate Christmas - "telling" children about Father Christmas - how can these adults question what many see as the truth of Christianity, but then tell children about Santa, when people see Santa as a very well "dressed up" character?

It's all very well to see "Christmas" as a happy time in Australia, but I think its time we consider going to church at Christmas and get the balance right between family and the many basic points of Christmas itself - and not just see it about presents and plastic Christmas decorations.

Nathan,

"Christmas has very much become far too commercial...."

Western life is "commercial" - why would Christmas not reflect that?

"This is extremely selfish, when these people should be giving to charities at Christmas time and supporting the poor - even overseas, who are going without, suffering and starving. Poor people overseas don't get a Christmas turkey or even a Christmas pudding."

Ditto

It's merely the normal Western pattern of material extravagance, consumption and waste ratcheted up to a frenzy during Christmas.

Do not credit Christmas to the Christians.

They do no good out of the goodness of their hearts.

They do so with the sole intent of increasing their flock.

'They do no good out of the goodness of their hearts.'

we know Ponde it is only you that does things out of the 'goodness ' of your heart. Congratulations!

Oops - I read it as 265 Billion, missed the decimal point completely.

Usually I'm pretty good at math.

Sorry Nathan

We use the secret Santa system, so just one present for adults in the family, & usually something they are known to want, & would buy themselves. Lots of little dollar or two dollar things for the little kids. Their fun is unwrapping stuff, not playing with it.

You know, I'm about charitied right out. I am totally sick to death of being asked to give to some charity that pays hundreds of thousands a year to it's CEO.

I am sick to death of being asked to give to welfare recipients with a few kids, who have damn near the average income, when all the handouts & subsidies are added up.

It is about time some people got a life, & stopped whinging.

Oh, & before the peanut gallery start, I live like a king on $22,000 a year, & I'm damned if I am going to give any of it to the dole bludging family of 5 adults & 4 kids down the road, getting $100,000 a year in handouts.

NathanJ you obviously need to feel superior to others, so happy to help, you obviously need help.