When Christmas was first properly documented in the Victorian era there were many traditions that are still prevalent now. From the innocent peck under the mistletoe to decorating a massive tree in the middle of the living room, we still enjoy many such activities. While Christmas is technically a religious holiday for Christians it become widespread as global holiday to give gifts and the only time it is acceptable to consume copious amounts of food.
This ‘global’ holiday has also become a pressure, a social expectation for many. And for others a reminder for what they don’t have. Despite the focus about gifts, Christmas at its core is still very much family oriented. For many it is the only time of the year they are able to get together with all their family but for many its also a reminder of the family they don’t have or the family they’ve lost. Grocery shopping on the days leading to the 25th can become a miserable experience for some when all they see are clusters of happy families getting together their perfect Christmas.
The gift giving aspect of Christmas feeds into the most materialistic depths of human greed. With all good intentions we love to use it as an excuse to treat ourselves and treat beloved members of our family and friends. It can also be the tortuous experience of spending money on people you don’t really like in return for even more crappy gift which if not thrown in the bin or at the back of a dusty old closet; will be gifted to another poor sod. But worse it puts unnecessary pressure on people who perhaps aren't in the best positions to give gifts; most commonly parents who want to give their children their all however their financial power just doesn’t match.
