Good thread!
I guess I will start by saying that Pagans celebrate this time of year for the Winter Solstice. Same goes for the beginning of Spring as opposed to Easter.
I have to agree with...well I forgot who said it but...the person who said that it is more of a time for coming together with family and friends to spend time they may not usually get to spend throughout the year.
Commercialization I think has gotten WAY out of control. To give gifts around this time (no matter what you are celebrating) is fine, but everyone maxing out their credit cards and/or going broke just to keep up because everyone expects that is beyond me. In fact, even though I earn a good living, I decided this year to use my time, love, effort and energy to make beautiful gifts for the people who are important to me. Gifts that are personalized no matter how big or small tend to mean a lot to people. They will receive purchased gifts that accentuate the made ones, but I have seen throughout the years how ugly people get when shopping and stressed they get about buying something for every person. What I am saying is, this should not be a time for dissonance, quaralling over parking spaces or the last Tickle Me Elmo. It should be a time to embrace the gift of life that we have all been given and offer our gratitude and love to the people that have walked with us on our journey.