Also like a very long overdue complaint on something that has been embedded onto our lives sneakily. You never really woke up and truly pondered the history of the holiday or, more importantly, it's evolution. This post looked so much better in the edit. Please, don't dismiss me as a grinch too early.

Christmas. It's one holiday that have 'transcended' religious importance, being celebrated annually by even the most atheist of families. It has become a staple of our children's lives due to holiday decorations, television specials and the promotions at the mall for new school clothing that they'll be forced to tolerate with their mothers.

It seems like a very innocent way for extended families to gather together on morning or a change of pace for the year but I couldn't really see it as 'just that'. There are a number of reasons, some of which are very obvious by just watching Reddit's post during Black Friday but I still feel like it's worth discussing, although in a little bit of a shallow manner.

The problems in Christmas comes when you realised how children are pressured into being entitled to a 'gift' during Christmas. Their parents (or Santa Claus, if the Internet hasn't ruined your children's innocence yet) must buy them a gift, whatever they want.

The reasons aren't much better too. Why do they deserve what they demand for? Because they've been 'good' all year round... or at least during December. Are parents essentially bribing their children to behave, almost making their children exhibit shallow, materialistic thinking. Are children only behaving because they want the newest game that their parents didn't know was so violent, without really understand the morality or context of their behavior until much later in life?

We could also say that this thinking have groomed and birthed the 'me' generation. Not the dieting and marathon running types of that generation. I am thinking more of the people that even went so far as to say that 'Rockstar cheated them' when Grand Theft Auto: Online didn't work on launch date with self-entitled and badly written posts on forums. What about the comments on Gamespot's recent "Game of the Year' video, where Zelda won and TLOU and GTA fans went 'wild' (or the smug hipsters thinking they're any better joking about them).

It could be argued that having a "New iPhone-- buy!" attitude can't really be attributed to Christmas, and the holiday itself is just an example of many parenting and societal flaws present all year round. That, and I am swaying a little off topic.

What about the sincerity of the whole season? Do you really feel like giving or buying a gift for certain people or are you only doing so because it's expected of you? Many (or, all arguably) people won't even bother about buying you a gift at any time of the year. If this holiday is absent from our lives, would they continue to give you cheap mugs they got a thrift store with an unfunny joke? Everything just feels so fake during this holiday from the Christmas specials to the commercials (Santa Claus advertising, in detail, patrol discounts really broke the line for me).

There are also cases of sabotaging people's secret Santa's, making tasteless pranks (Just go on Reddit, guys).

Well, all I have really done was introduce a set of rhetorical questions for the forum to ponder on, really hoping to see different (or, as you will, a conservative) point of view for all of these I've brought up. That, and I don't want to sound too long-winded. Mostly indifferent in the season actually but I just thought I'll share my views. Don't worry, I'd love to read all of them, even if you're a soccer mom I can't help but firmly disagree with .

Are there any real redeeming values in Christmas? Perhaps to visit relatives and waste time decorating a tree that you'll take down at the end of the month. Well, you're wasting time on this website as well.

I like the consumerism because it drives industry and international and local trade.  There's the Buy  Local movement in my area where everyone went out last Saturday and bought Michigan-only products.  It drives sales and provides jobs for people and the circulation of dollars is a major contributor to economic growth.  That's a nice plus.

Are children only behaving because they want the newest game that their parents didn't know was so violent, without really understand the morality or context of their behavior until much later in life?

Towards the end of the month or all of December?  Sure.  But no one uses Christmas as a threat or reward for behavior in February, April, July, or September.  No one cares.  It's a focus for a few weeks at the max.  Also, a lot of people do things because the rewards are set up for them to enjoy later.  I go to work because they pay me so I can do things I like.  I don't go to work because I love my work and I can't wait to get there.  I wouldn't do it for free.

"Is Xmas sincere"?  Yes and no.  Some people treat it well as it was intended.  Some do it just because it is an excuse to buy presents and go out and spend.  Some people don't like it and are overwhelmed by stress.  Each person can take their own thing away.  As long as you know your actions are right in your heart, you shouldn't worry about what others do.

Lastly, there are redeeming features to Christmas.  I see my family when I usually don't on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.  I get to take time off and recover from stress at work.  People actually are nicer and take the time to appreciate each other.  Remove the consumer culture and it's a nice time.  Add the consumer culture and you have people fighting over Tickle me Elmo.

I'd rather it exist then not.  I like seeing my family and I'll fight the crowds at the mall for that.

Well we often forget the real meaning of christmas, the celebration of Saturnalia that celebrated the God Saturn, which of course the christians adopted for their own. It was originally the celebration of the winter solstice, and has constantly changed throughout history, now it's a corporate holiday that is a big boost to the economy.

If parents are buying presents for children who don't deserve to get presents, or shouldnt' have it, that's their own issue. As an atheist, I enjoy it as a holiday to bring people together, it's a good idea. It's sometimes best to celebrate even when there's nothing really to celebrate, especially if it's based on ancient rituals, the purpose is to have fun.

Some holidays that can definitely go however, are Easter and Valentine's day, completely useless.