Thoughts on Christmas

I realize Christmas is over, but it just happened, so I have some thoughts on it. See, I know some people who aren't so big into Christmas. I mean, I'm not really a huge fan of Christmas, but that's for personal reasons vis a vis the death of my dad, etc. As a theoretical idea I really like Christmas. I know some people say it is much too commercialized but we all really have a choice on how commercialized we make our own Christmas celebrations. If you don't want a commercialized Christmas than you have some of the following options (among others):
1. Handmade Christmas gifts. (If you know how to knit or crochet you can make blankets, mittens, hats, and slippers/ if you know how to use carpentry tools you could make furniture and knick-knacks and picture frames things/ you could give coupons for favours/ etc. use your imagination)
2. I know someone who gives money to charities under the name of the person they would normally give a gift to.
3. If you do a Secret Santa type thing than you only have to give a gift for one person.
4. If you shop local, or fair trade you don't have to feel as guilty about spending so much money because the money you are spending is going to make someone (the person you are giving to) happy, and it is also helping out the person you are buying from.

Now that I've reminded you that it is possible to de-commercialize Christmas let me remind you of a few reasons why Christmas is awesome

1. If you are a Christian, like me, it is used as a time to remind you of the greatest gift ever. Yeah I know a lot of people think that all the other parts of Christmas take away from this part, but this part is still a big part of it.

2. It is another great opportunity to gather together with friends and family.

3. It is a time when everyone is reminded of the people who are in need and feel motivated to help out and include the lonely. Yeah we should be doing this all the time, but you know what?
- we are humans, sometimes we forget but it is nice to have a reminder once a year where everyone gets together and helps each other out. It is heart warming.

4. Christmas occurs around the darkest time of the year and its nice to have all the little lights shining and brightening everything up.

5. Christmas created Christmas music and Christmas movies and I like both.

I'm sure there other reasons but this is all I can come up with at this time. My point is, don't be so hard on Christmas, it's got a good side.