Do you like Christmas? Yes or No and Why?

I have mixed feelings about Christmas.

I like the rich, years-old traditions surrounding Christmas, including both religious ones and secular ones (like the Christmas tree).  I like the celebration of Jesus' birth, and I like the spirit of celebration of the winter solstice, and the associated pagan traditions which have fused into Christian traditions to form the holiday that we now know as Christmas.

However, I strongly dislike the commercialism of Christmas.  In the United States, Christmas has become a holiday that glorifies consumerism.  I find this abhorrent on so many levels; for one, it strongly conflicts with the teachings of Jesus and the central tenets of Christianity, and it is thus a glaring example of hypocrisy and contradiction.  But religious questions aside, the commercialization of Christmas is disturbing on so many levels.

The media sends the message that we need to spend money in order to show our love to people.  This couldn't be farther from the truth, and it's a very unwholesome message.  Also, people are encouraged to buy things for others that they don't need, and to spend money in unsustainable ways, at big chain stores in big suburban shopping plazas, on cheap goods made in China sold at jacked up prices.  Children are bombarded with advertisements and are induced to pressure their parents into buying them material things, and are implicitly sent the message that if their parents don't buy things for them, it means that they love them.  It's totally perverse and outright evil.

I think we'd be better off if people would just make a hand-made card and give someone a hug and tell them "I love you."  That says more than any amount of spending ever can.

So yes, I like Christmas, I just don't like the way it has been corrupted and commercialized to support consumerism.

Liked it ever since I was a kid! Used to get lots of stuff!

Yes a lot!  It’s always good to see family and friends again and to just have a good time.  I also like how it's a mix of many different religions celebration of the winter solstice.  Which I like because I don’t think anyone should be left out of the fun.  I agree it has been grossly commercialized but I also think it's good to have something like that for kids to look forward too even though it does spoil them a bit.  But hey there are still 363 other days in the year you can teach them to be good, giving people (excluding their birthday of course).

I don't celebrate Christmas.  But I enjoy Xmas . 

I like Christmas but I have a dysfunctional family my parents are dead and it's pretty sad

For the most part I like Christmas. I love seeing friends and family. I also love finding just the right gift. I start my Christmas shopping early. I listen throughout the year for when my family says things like, "I wish I had..." or I could use..." and then I go out and get it.

Friends and I have a long standing tradition as well. We get together on noon at Christmas Eve for an annual touchfootball game. It has been going on for nearly 40 years now. We started it in high school, and as people left for college we just made a pact to meet up. No invitation needed, just show up. It started with and is still based by the cross country team, so we recruit the new team in as well. My brother who ran is now the coach so that makes it easier. Over 20 years ago we divided the teams into "old" and "youngsters". The old team generally starts around the age of 20 and goes up to about 55 now, and they have a huge winning streak.