While I still enjoy the general specific feel of christmas (because there still is one, I believe) and also the concept of it, I do agree it's way too commercial. I don't like seeing it milked before Halloween is even here (an occassion not even worthy celebrating in my opinion, especially here). It's got to the point where all the hype and excitement is spent up before christmas, then when that morning and day comes (which I still find special in a lot of ways) it's more or less got to the point that everyone is so spent from the stress of preparation that they just wanna get it over with. More so for my mum because she goes kamikaze on the food and shit, but she's one of those who doesn't care as long as her family are happy.
On the other hand though, it's only a bother if you let the commercialism get to you I think. I shut myself off from it and just deal with christmas how I always do. I see my parents every single day but I still hold christmas morning quite high up there. I like giving my parents their gifts and seeing them happy, vice versa. Despite all the hype and stress surrounding it, it's still like the one day that people feel they have an excuse to just enjoy being here. Some people aren't as fortunate as those of us who still have our families or homes, so it makes me grateful at least. I get less gifts now than I did before obviously, and it IS hard to keep it always exciting and fresh, but I honestly don't really care what I end up getting because the main reason I enjoy it is because it really does seem like the worlds flow of everything stops for a day and people can just appreciate what they have. Regardless of religion or whatever.
On topic:
Just CDs. There's always ones I need, so I just bang out a list. The odd DVD, some books and a hooded jacket. I dunno how much of my list I'll receive, but I don't really mind either. My birthday is on the 11th so I have to divide it really.
-AC