One of my biggest beefs about this time of the year is the focus on rampant materialism/commercialism as opposed to the more spiritual aspects associated with the holidays as a whole.

Politically I'm very pro free-market capitalism, but the in-your-face commercialism that has unfortunately become synonymous with "Christmas" really detracts from the "reason for the season."

So, what say you FREEHuddlers? Does the commercialism bother you as well or do you simply see it as an important aspect to maintaining national economic growth?

Agree completely, Believer.

Though, i guess i'm sick of it regardless of the time of the year.

Constant materialism/commercialism destroys the "spiritual" aspect of life regardless of the time of year.

It doesn't bother me. I just tune it out. I'm not a TV watcher and I don't shop. My wife does almost all of the shopping in our house.

It doesn't really bother me. As long as I don't have the government preaching to me about what the meaning of Christmas should be, then I'm fine.

^^^^I appreciate what you're saying but the intent of my post was directed at private-sector commercialism's impact on the spiritual nature of the holidays.

Government interference in the free expression of religious beliefs including the meaning of Christmas is a whole nuther topic! LOL

JoeA1010 wrote: It doesn't really bother me. As long as I don't have the government preaching to me about what the meaning of Christmas should be, then I'm fine.

Which has nothing to do with the topic.