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It's a shame that Christmas has become what it is now. Jesus is the reason for the season, not gifts. I think that the celebrants of Christmas need a head check to remember what the holiday is about.
Todd Graham, USA

Also fed up with food and alcohol advertising before Christmas, to put on weight, and then be bombarded with slimming clubs and other product advertising in the new year!
Nicola Cook, UK

This will be my second Christmas here... there is the lack of spirit, all that is left is the commercial side of it.
Vijay Mirpuri, USA

Christmas is a fantastic time of year. Although living in the UK, I will be returning to New Zealand for the feastive season. I can't imagine anything better than enjoying good food and good wine on a hot summers day with family and friends. This will be then followed up with most of the country taking their summer vacation - perfect!!
David Pacey, New Zealand/UK

Every single year X-mas makes me sick. In the south of France thousands of people rush into the shops to buy their presents. So what happens to the people who are alone and squint? despair. Years ago, I was poor and far away from my family and so I could have a taste of how you can feel when you are alone and penniless. Now X-mas makes me sick.
Estelle Bertin, France

Oh come on! Lets have some festive spirit. In my local they start playing christmas records in June. I love it, especially when it annoys other people.
Liz Sutton, UK

With doing so much work at this time of year I have not even had the chance to start to think about christmas, yet alone to "become sick of it..."
Colin Lawrenson, UK

Since Xmas now starts in September, yes, I am completely Santa'd-out!
Steve Durnien, UK

It's all very well and good screaming how commercialised the festive season has become, but take a look at the revenue this annual celebration generates. Its a positive boon for all facets of the economy. And that in itself is a cheerful joy for everyone. We can all share and 'prosper' in the wealth. 'Spread the love through materialism.' We need something special to spend our hard earned money on.
I certainly believe the pleasure gained in seeing little Johnny with a bright, glorious expression receiving his Tonka toy is well worth any amount of hard, crippling financial debt! And for those parents who are unable to afford the cost of buying the latest expensive toys for their children, it would be well worth remembering the Byzantium expression "A child's smile brings warmth to all Seasons..."
And in closing my provocative and radical argument for commercial enlightenment, I add this... If we were to strip away the foundations and wonders of Yule tide commercialism, what would we be left with? A religious doctrine and outmoded belief that few could claim to follow and most would sadly rather forget.
Roger Robinson, England

Yes, absolutely! All biblical scholarship accepts that the translation of the Hebrew words describing Mary do not include virgin and yet every year we get this nice little fable and the saccharine carols for the children about the Christmas story. A story indeed. Let's stop this pretence that the majority of people see it as anything else other than a time to get together with friends for a good time and a break from work.
Mike, UK

I love the way Christmas cheers up city centers and generally cheers the public up.
Nicola Swankie, Scotland

No, I'm not sick of the meaning of Christmas. Although the commercialization is irritating, the season as a whole provides hope for humankind. My favorite holiday, however, is the American Thanksgiving, which is not commercialized, and which provides a wonderful sharing with friends and family.
Eleanor Braun, USA

Bah! Commercialism! I'm going to give my family the most precious of gifts this season: MUCH OF MY TIME!
Btian Kovarik, USA

Sick of the commercialism, yes. Not sick of the HOT weather, BBQ's and cold beer and watching the Poms get belted at the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Mark Schuller, Australia

I think it is difficult to say one is 'sick' of Christmas. I believe that this is a religious time of year and indeed a very special one for all Christians worldwide. I am sick however of all the hype. I don't think it's gone too far yet, but soon the religious side will be overshadowed in the minds of younger generations. I feel that presents are a good thing, as are decorations, but nearer the time, with a religious feel attached.
Marcus Ward, England

I want to bring up my daughter to believe that Christmas is a special time - a time for families, and yes, for presents too - but the specialty is now gone - Santa Claus now arrives beginning of November - there is no mention of Christ.
I do go to church, and take her with me, this is the only way to make Christmas special - to mean something. It was quite funny last weekend, to hear Father Christmas and his entourage passing by our (almost empty) church. Outside was teeming with an enthusiastic throng, whist we inside carried on quietly looking forward to that special birthday celebration. I feel sometimes that religion needs to find a new way of expression so that all may want to join in, but sadly I feel that we have gone too far and that Santa Claus is the new Messiah.
Lets try and make Christmas Special again - for everyone.
Gerry Andrews, UK

How can one get sick of a holiday full of such joy and fun? Sure, it may be commercialized, but it is still a wonderful holiday!
Marcus Boarder, USA

No, I'm not quite sick of it, in fact I've hardly noticed it. Though I have to say that it really is too commercialised these days. An example? Take a look at the Xmas lights on Regent Street, London. They are all orange, with the message "You've been Tangoed" or something very similar. We could really do without such commercial crap. It sucks. Example number 2: In a BT payphone, there is a digital message saying "call a loved one this Xmas". Thank you so much, BT!
Yoel Sano, UK

When I moved to the US a few years ago, I expected the over-exploitation of Christmas to be much worse here than in the UK. I was surprised. Although phoney Christmas spirit prevails, it's no worse than the UK, and it hasn't got worse over this time, whilst the UK seems to get more and more extreme and artificial every year. I'm not religious, but the marketing frenzy that kicks in around this time of year is becoming ridiculous. Christmas in the UK is looking more and more like Halloween in the US - a vast, meaningless celebration of nobody-knows-what (the dressing up frenzy that it sparks has lost all sense of the occasion, people now just dress up - and the "paganistic" element of it jarrs with the so-called pious Christianity proclaimed by most Americans). Halloween will be a US public holiday before very long. I gather the UK is headed in the same direction (only, as with Christmas) they will learn the lessons from the US and make things even MORE commercial.
David Masters, USA

The remarkable thing is that I am not sick of Christmas. No matter how tawdry the exploitation, Christmas has always been a time of happiness to me and, I pray, always will be. It is amusing, though, to read that so many Brits blame Christmas commercialization in their country on the United States. Life is so much easier when you don't take responsibility for something you don't like. Isn't it?
Thomas Threlkeld, USA

Consume, consume, consume! Hurry up and buy all that rubbish that you don't really need in the first place. Christmas is great! It shows people up for what they really are. All scrambling to buy products aimed at the lowest common denominator. Spend yourselves into debt foolish people. Maybe next year's economy will be good enough that you can pay off the interest. Ah, ignorance is bliss isn't it?
D Soleil, Canada

Commercialization, as we all know, has cheapened and denegrated Christmas. The source of this commercialization? The good old USA of course! The USA, which has no culture of its own, is in the process of replacing traditional European culture with its own particular brand of mindless runaway consumerism. I think Europeans should make a point of boycotting the companies/products that are accomplishing this: Coca-Cola, McDonalds, etc.
Axel Brinkhoff, USA

When I was a child growing up in the bush we were so poor that my parents told me that Santa couldn't find us in Australia. Christmas still brings back some painful memories. He would sometimes visit and leave me a bent stick called a boomerang. He once left an orange and it was the happiest day of my life. How can you be alone by yourself in the bush for months on end with memories like that?
Paul De Souza, Australia

Yes! All the blooming family come home and all we do is argue - what television programme to watch, we ought to go for a walk, and don't forget granny's injections! Christmas should be a time of peace and goodwill to all men. A time to reflect that we do not exist for ourselves alone, but for those who we love and for those less fortunate than ourselves.
Andy Hamilton, England

Bah Humbug!!!!!
David Jones, UK

If ONLY those who truly love Jesus of Bethlehem and worship and live for their Lord and Saviour and are those who regularly are to found in Churches at other times other than just Sunday mornings. If these were to be the only TRUE givers of gifts, the commercial world would collapse - what a good thing that would be!?!
Mark Lacey, Bahamas

Christmas is a time of spending money and getting drunk....there are so many people in the UK for example who don't believe in god or have no time for religion...don't know what Christmas is all about...all they know its a time to have a good time by getting drunk and going to parties....
Money always talks and is the driving force behind what Christmas has now become...this is reflected in all marketing ploys which is illustrated by the fact that the figure of Santa Claus or Rudolph or a snowman is always used...never any figures from nativity etc...the real meaning of Christmas has been lost and capitalism has now replaced it. We follow USA and this is a dangerous path to follow.
Adnan Choudhry, UK

Nobody seems to know what Christmas is all about. Merchants make sure that people buy, and buy, so that nobody has time to make any thing for a loved one.
Athala Verduga, USA

I love Christmas! We need something to keep us going through the long, cold, winters we have here in the UK.
Martin Jay, United Kingdom

I'm not sick of Christmas, however I am tired of the hype of buy this, buy that for your kids. But in the end the type of Christmas we have depends solely on us. And, it is an opportunity to give to those in need and show our children the true meaning of the season. Caring.
Rodney, United States

With fake snow and reindeers everywhere and soaring temperatures, the only thing that hints of the festive season for me is the English Cricket team losing in OZ - again.
Chris, Expat, Australia

Yes! I'm completely fed up of it already. We should introduce a law that bans all advertising before December 1st each year. Christmas is a time of family and togetherness. Not "commercialness". And fighting for sales and profit isn't what it's all about.
Stephanie Lewis, United Kingdom

In Tanzania Christians and Muslims join together to celebrate Christmas.They do so together during Muslim religious holidays too. So its all fun to keep us awake for the d-day. We are getting more and more sober as the day approaches. Indeed Christmas is for Africa.
Sultan Ahmed Sultan, Tanzania

Christmas will always be a day of LOVE, JOY, PEACE, GOODWILL, as long as Christ remains at the centre of our celebration. It is a day of great hope as the birth of Christ resulted in mankind receiving the free gift of SALVATION when Christ died for us. It is upto each individual not to get distracted by the commercial aspects of the festivities, and remain focussed on Christ.
Monteiro, UK

There should be a tax on premature Christmas exploitation.
Alastair Kinloch, UK

Christmas evolved from a Pagan festival to a Christian festival, now it's evolving into a festival for everyone. True christians are in a minority in this country and so most enjoy it for what it is: a coming together in fun for all, regardless of the differing symbols on our t-shirts. That can't be a bad thing!
Rob Harris, UK

I was shocked while watching a program on tv to find out some people have over $50,000 dollars of credit card debt from Christmas shopping alone, and still plan to apply for more credit cards to purchase yet again this Christmas. The meaning behind Christmas (celebrating the birth and life of Jesus) has been lost, even on myself. Find your local shelter or food pantry and deliver food to the poor for a day and see how the true spirit of Christmas comes rushing back.
Connie, USA

No, Christmas is great. It gives us an excuse to keep in touch with people we never communicate with at other times of the year. It's a time of happiness and friendship, and of generosity and goodwill. The bible story is meaningless, but it's a top time of the year.
Ray Marsh, Australia

Christmas is nothing more than a retailing promotion, It has lost any meaning it ever had.
Lana Woodward, Australia

As an expat, I still love Christmas, even more so when we can't enjoy it publicaly because of Ramadan coming along soon. I even love being presents for my family BUT I do hate Santa et al in the shops by the end of October. The commercialism of it all has been brought on by parents who think that there kids need to have the very latest of everything, toys, clothes, cds, etc. It isn't true. I remember my nephews and nieces having much more fun with the wrapping paper and the empty box than the toy they came in. As an agnositc, I don't care for the religous aspect of the period, but its a great holiday (pagan or otherwise). Public celebrations just need to be a bit shorter!
Annette, UAE

Xmas is a necessary celebration in the middle of winter which is based on festivals far older than Christianity. Its one of the few times I get off work in the year and I love it. Mind you I don't have a family to cause feuds.
Sarah Ramsay, UK

Not at all - it's best to realize the meaning of christmas, and to teach the young what it's really about before hitting the stores for more "things." Then you sould have a better time rather than one which would be stressful.
Dave Falkner, USA

It has become such a materialistic and barbaric holiday that it needs to be scrapped into the heap of history.
J B, USA

I'm not tired of Christmas yet. We need all the friendliness it brings. Life can be so serious these days. Christmas brings out the warmth and kindness in people. We don't have to get caught up in the commercialism. We could use the time to be just a little nicer to everyone.
Josey Warren, USA

I'm english spending my 4th Christmas in Australia. Here there is no build up, the supermarkets are stocked with the usual christmas chocolates, shortbread etc and it just never feels like Christmas. So, I for one miss the hype and excitement of Christmas back home - it's even hard trying to buy a turkey let a lone a fresh one!
Angela Dodd, Australia

2000 years ago God took an ordinary night and turned it into an extra-ordinary moment in time when the sheperds looked up from their sleepy eyes and beheld angels lighting up the skies. Now that night has been held in history and birthday of a King, the Messiah, Yeshua, Immanuel. How can I be sick of the birthday of God-in-skin?
Dorie, USA

I believe that Christ lived and try to follow his teachings but see his birthday as a reason to celebrate for a short time and to be over-indulgent with each other. There is still a better feeling abroad and so I would be sorry if it diminished simply as Christianity is doing. We need a smile.
Alan Gilbert, UK

As a former Christian, I am still sickened by the overcommercialization of Christmas. It makes me ill to see a holiday whose focus should be upon the poverty-miracle birth of a great prophet changed into a greed-fest. I am irritated by the Christmas music, by the jingles, the commercials on television and radio---I feel like I'm being poisoned by the holiday, one that I now don't hold much relevance in my life. We are all to blame... we like to recieve as much as we hate the commercialized format of the holiday. I shall celebrate the holiday this year as a simple celebration of the changing of the seasons to winter, my favorite time of the year.
Jeremy Craig, USA

Funny how as soon as summer ends, we get a confusion (profusion) of shops selling both Haloween items (funny how this seems to have been accepted over here, even though it originates from America) and Christmas things - yes, back before the end of October! I want to bring up my daughter to believe that Christmas is a Special Time - a time for families, and yes, for presents too - but the speciality is now gone - Santa Claus now arrives beginning of November - there is no mention of Christ. I do go to church, and take her with me, this is the only way to make Christmas special - to mean something. It was quite funny last weekend, to hear Father Christmas and his entourage passing by our (almost empty) church. Outside was teeming with an enthusiastic throng, whist we inside carried on quietly looking forward to that special birthday celebration. I feel sometimes that religion needs to find a new way of expression so that all may want to join in, but sadly I feel that we have gone too far and that Santa Claus is the new Messiah. So no, I am not sick of Christmas, only the confusion, greed and commersialism that leads up to it. Lets have those days when there was a mad rush in the last couple of weeks before Christmas, when everyone went shopping etc, and lets get back some of the joy. Have you ever noticed how many more old people die at this time of year? Most just give up - the hype and attitudes are too much to bear Christmas is for families, and too many old people no longer see their offspring - we're all too busy buying things and partying to care! Lets try and make Christmas Special again - for everyone.
G R Andrews, UK

ba humbug. Not this year - a first grandchild makes this season a lot more tolerable. Puts the fun back in christmas.
D Tully, Canada

I'm never sick of christmas, for it's time for family reunions. How wonderful! Greeting each other, sending and receiving gifts, visiting friends, you just enjoy all these and forget all the trouble tempoararilyy at least. Christmas, only once a year,that's the Jesus's birthday. Actually, not only do I never get tired of chrismas, but also hope it keeps coming soon!
Mary Ann, Canada

The real meaning of the Christmas celebration is lost in the frenzy of shopping and parties. We are all guilty, whether we are Christians, who practise our faith or not. Maybe we should stop and give thanks and praise to the One who is the reason for the season.
Joan Jones, USA

In New Zealand they also go into debt, but they are suddenly very bad-mannered, use bad language, are rude. It is not a time of friendship, it is not a time of good will to all man kind. Some haven't paid the bills even in February, March, and the children are little 'beasts', as they want bigger and bigger presents from Grandma, who can't even buy their own bread.etc. They steal in the shops and a lot of people are drunk and very disorderly. The difference between European emirgres, and New Zealand-born people is the difference between hospitalities on the Christmas day. And they stuff themselfs full on that one day, and don't spread it out over the whole festive days. Old and new year are also not pleasant here, with the same above troubles.
Maria Rappard, New Zealand

When we were growing up Christmas did not start until after our thanksgiving celebration. which is the last thursday in november
Rhelburn, USA

I think the cardinal has hit the nail on the head. Everyone I've talked to say the same, that christmas isn't the same any more. Perhaps this is more to do with us thinking back to when we were children and felt what christmas was like.
L M Olding, UK

I like Cristmas because it is so lovely and white.
Paul Eric Salvesen, Norway

Christmas is for fun, Christmas is for kids. Leave it alone.
Steve O'Donnell, Australia

I decided not to bow to the pressure to visit the right family members or purchase heaps of presents several years ago and once everyone got used to this my main stress has been due to the appalling xmas music in all the shops.
Karen, New Zealand

I am fed up with a commercialised Christmas, but not with Christmas itself. The UK is a Christian country and Society and we must take a step back and re-evaluate our Christmas values, especially towards each other.
David Warburton, UK

We can't be tired of Christmas -- the season is Advent. Christmas begins at midnight on the 24th.
Mack Hall, USA

Sick of Christmas! No way! I love Christmas, not because of the gifts, but it's the day when family get together and love each other....
Beth, USA

Please delete the commercialisation and put Christ Back Into Christmas
J Rogers, UK

I hate it when Christmas decorations and festive light are being put up in shopping centres before we have had Halloween and Bonfire Night, also the fact of Christmas items on sale at this point is annoying as well.
Neil Bradley, UK

I agree that for the majority, Christmas means gifts and family get togethers. Not that CHRISTMAS means CHRIST MASS, and the whole reason for Christmas is to celebrate a birthday.
Jack Endres, USA

I'm utterly sick of it all. I'm going to try and avoid the whole commercial/religious aspect of it. I do not believe in God, and I don't like feeling forced to give gifts at a particular time. It makes a mockery of wanting to show your affection/love for someone, with this rampant commercialism. I'm going to enjoy the time off though...
Benjamin, UK

Strictly speaking, I am looking forward to Christmas, but I AM sick of the commercialisation by stores that suggest that the money you spend on someone is in direct proportion to how much you love them.
Stephen Bridges, UK

Christmas is a time of increased terror for turkeys and geese; a time that emphasises lonliness and sadness; a time that leaves families broke, kids spoiled, fir trees murdered, mothers exhausted, fathers driven to drink, grandparents bewildered and pets confused. Oh yes, it's the season to be jolly alright. Jolly sick and tired of the whole commercial shinanigan.
Sue, South Africa

I have been sick of listening to people referring to the 'c' word for the past weeks. I am also concerned that the season puts many people in debt, debt that they cannot manage. commercially the "c"word is forgotten the day after christmas when the easter bunny cards start to appear.
Geoff Chandler, Canada

In this vast nation of Canada (the vastness of which most Brits cannot possibly comprehend) Christmas is a time of reaffirming and renewing our ties with friends, relations and yes, even our religion. Here in this highly mobile country, Christmas has become the one time for families to gather and celebrate. We can choose to make it highly commercialized or we can choose to make it simple. That is our choice. Perhaps that is what real Christianity is all about. Which God are we celebrating? the commercial, material god, or the God of love and renewal?
Max Bortnik, Canada

It is nice to set aside a time of year for giving and reunion, but the advent season hasn't even started yet, and comapanies are already using xmas to win people over.
Anil Vij, UK

Isn´t it sad how some cultures are spoiled by the western idea of Christmas? Here I am referring to a certain fizzy drink manufacturer who sees fit to erect hideous fake Christmas trees and strange fat men dressed in red just down the road from my house. This mixes somewhat uneasily with the much more religiously orientated festival that usually prevails in this great country...
Daniel Feander, Mexico

The Christmas period has become so long it is no longer special. The shops have only themselves to blame if the shoppers stay away.
P G Stevenson, UK

I think that the original meaning of Christmas has completely gone 'out of the window'. Probably mirroring the same comments of many others, 'Where has Jesus Christ gone'? If Jesus isn't the centrepoint of Christmas, then what is the reason for celebrating it -- we could set aside any time of the year to have a celebration, giving presents, eating and drinking in excess, and having a break from work!
Jeffrey Arnold, UK

I quite agree with the Cardinal. Here in America the whole season is so commercialized, but now all references to "Christmas" in the media have been made politically correct so everything is a "holiday event" not "Christmas caroling". I am offended and refuse to shop at all in any of the stores. As a church musician, I see children totally unfamiliar with the traditions of Advent leading up to Christmas. Parents cave in to the slightest whim. I think of what Christmas was like in England and USA the year I was born-1943-and how survival itself was at stake. Everyone must have been grateful just to be alive, but if you say anything to kids today, they just roll their eyes. I hate to think the kind of world they will create! Merry Christmas!
Margaret Shannon, USA

I do believe that christmas is coming too early in many if the main shopping areas however in most small towns and shopping areas christmas comes later. It is only right that the commerical street like Oxford Street start early as people should be able to buy presents. For example people on low incomes can buy christmas presents over a longer period of time as it's easier to spend small amounts of money each week than it is to save up and there is always the temptation of wasting the money on something else.
Gareth Jones, UK

Life was far sweeter at Christmas when we made little presents, made the cake had Chicken not Turkey.I am 76 and still remember that Xmas started on Xmas Eve and finished one day later. JLT
Jack L Thain, UK

Sick of Mammonmas? YES!
Mike, UK

Fed up with xmas songs in the shops already!
Gordon Stewart, UK

I've been disgusted with it for years. The real facts are: we are more depressed at this time of year than any other. A system based on greed and envy cannot survive.
Dave, USA

Congratulations for your poster banning santa. Christmas season should start at the cathedral with advent - the waiting for Christ's coming - not in the shopping centres.
Belliveau Roseline, Canada

As an expat for some years I have seen this situation coming for quite some time. We are being led by the media/advertising agencies etc. They are very clever and shrewd and it is an ongoing fight by them to make another fast buck at our expence.
Les Broabent, Oman

If Christmas started on the 23rd December and ended on 1st Jan it would be a holiday for all to enjoy. It seems that the term season of goodwill means replacing Winter and most of Autumn with a new season called commercialism & greed.
Clifford O'Leary, UK

I don't mind celebrating christmas - it's good to have a mid-winter celebration to have a bit of a rest and help dispel a bit of the gloom assosciated with dark winter evenings, but I'd like for there to be some kind of ban on anything christmas-related until at least December...
Tim Aidley, UK

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