Wow, you waited until a day before Christmas day to bash it. Good. Obviously you hate the holidays; Anything that can give you a quarterly average to get your "poor person around the world" speech going. I think that your more obsessed than the consumer analysis's when it comes to consumerist statistics.

Another holiday and another stat for you to throw in that we waist our money when people are starving to death.
Merry X-Mas.

ive hated christmas for the last few years..i thought it was because i was over worked around the holiday and didnt have time to enjoy it. but this year im off and ive had time to enjoy it...doing on the things that you apparently hate nathan...decorating, getting a real christmas tree, christmas songs...ahhhh how much any other year i hated christmas music..i always said it should be played on christmas eve and no other time..but this year ive been really trying to get into the spirit..but i find again this year with all the time to enjoy it...im still not happy with the holidays. and i think its because ive become consumed with presents...anyone who knows me knows that i LOVE LOVE presents!!! the more the better. ive always said...(i do enjoy giving them as well) im not that selfish...but anyway...i feel like im going to be disapointed with my presents...isnt that sad...shouldnt i be just thankful that im able to get presents..but no im not..and i want want want...things i dont need need need...anyway i really need to work on this maybe i should get some christmas counselling...hehehehe

Nathan.

I don't think you should take your anger out on Christmas. It's not Christmas' fault that we have such convoluted ideas and have twisted traditions until they are void of meaning.
Anyway, I’ll get right to it…

First, the lights, the decorations, the bows, the songs. I’ll agree with you that many of us today don’t understand the roots of these traditions. I’m sure these things (at one point) symbolized something very meaningful to people around the world. I believe that these things were done with a purpose, perhaps to prepare hearts for the Christmas season. And I now believe that we have taken a lot of these traditions and continued them year after year because ‘that’s just what you do on Christmas’

Personally for me, I love Christmas lights because my family used to drive around looking at all the different houses in the neighborhoods. We would try to decide which house was deserving of the title “Gingerbread House” (the most beautifully decorated home) So, to me the lights are just not because you put them up on Christmas, I love them because I’m reminded of the times I spent with my family. Now I continue to search for Gingerbread houses myself as a result.

I guess that’s all to say that who says you have to put up the same decorations as everyone else, or light candles or sing songs. Why don’t you figure out the things that mean the most to you and commit to making those your Christmas traditions? Focus on the things you said you enjoy…throw in some food and I’m such you’ll be happy. 
Set an example by attempting to do things differently.

Personally, I love Christmas. I love that during this season people begin to think of others. I realize that it is commercialized to death, but at least people are actually thinking of people outside their own selfish wants/desires. I believe that there is some Christmas spirit still out there. I’ll agree that gift giving has the potential to get out of control, and that it often does, especially in this crazy culture we find ourselves in. The stats you quoted are crazy. (Where did you get those numbers by the way? I was trying to find more information) Personally gifts are not essential to Christmas, but I would be lying if I did not say I enjoyed them…my personal favourite: the stocking. I love stockings because you get everything you need for the next while (socks, deodorant, lip gloss, toothpaste etc) I could receive my stocking and be as happy as someone who gets a Wii Nintendo thing.
I think what I’m hearing and maybe I’m wrong is that gifts are just given as gifts, with no meaning involved…just a present because that is what you’re supposed to do.
Would your thoughts change if people spent less money and more effort? Would your perspective be different if every Christmas gift was home made?

Today is Boxing day. What does everyone think of when we mention boxing day now? If it’s not another day off work, it’s the SALES! Almost as good as Thanksgiving Friday in the US. People waiting in line overnight to get into the mall to get good deals.

In churches, it was traditional to open the church's donation box on Christmas Day, and the money in the donation box was to be distributed to the poorer or lower class citizens on the next day. In this case, the "box" in "Boxing Day" comes from that lockbox in which the donations were left. (I’m sure there are a lot of explanation for the origin of Boxing day, but that one seems to fit my train of thought the best and so I will be biased and use it)
One family I know of saves their spare change all year long and then brings it to their family Christmas to compile it all and donate to the charity of their choice. It adds up to be quite a lot and I think it is a brilliant idea. It’s also a year round desire to think of blessing others rather than keeping for ourselves. It’s these little changes that really begin to make a difference as we attempt to approach Christmas differently.

You’re right Nathan, Christmas consumerism is spiraling out of control, but it is possible to be a person committed to following Jesus despite it. Ironic that you had to address that in your post, to remind people to follow Jesus on the day we “celebrate his birth” I laughed and then felt sad.

As for me, I will still celebrate Christmas every year and get excited and sing Christmas carols and find meaning in the traditions I choose to celebrate. I will not call you a Scrooge, or Grinch because I believe your heart is in the right place…but change your title, I don’t believe you hate Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS NATHAN

"Partly its because I'm a rebel and I hate anything that everyone likes or finds meaningful. I like to go against the grain and be difficult and annoying."

These character traits aren't something that I would be proud of and I would really be hurt if other people identified them in me.

Who said I was proud of them?

Scrooge.