I agree Nanamoms that commercialism has taken the joy out of Christmas.
Christmas is my favourite time of the year next to Spring, although it remains the most favourite for me. Over the past few years, say 3 or 4 it has been a chore mainly because we are not settled ourselves. I need to get back my Christmas Mojo and become a bit more organized so this New Year I am planning on making at least one gift item or set of items per month from Jan through to Nov. I don’t like to buy gifts too soon so have planned to start buying one item per week from 1st week in August until beginning of November.
These days I favour made items more than bought as I fight back against commercialism and I try to stay away from the shops in the lead up to and through the holidays. It is up to us to sit down with our families, discuss our dislike of the commercial aspects of the season, say no to them and change. Little by little you will again find your Christmas Mojo.