Shymeeee, your post is not out of place, and I agree with you. There are still 5 minutes left before midnight here, Christmas night. I have had a fantastic day with family. We share a gift exchange where everyone brings one gift. The gifts may be serious, useful, or playful. We have a game where the gifts are chosen, traded, and "stolen". Eventually the game ends with each person having one gift. Some of us share personal gifts, as well, but there is no pressure or sense of obligation. This year I bought a grand total of 3 gifts. I gave many more, but made the rest in my kitchen. They cost me days of work, but little money.
Some in my family are quite religious. I am not. I can't remember the last time we discussed religion. I hosted this year (no small accomplishment a week after neck surgery). The only religious symbol in my home is a framed photo of a statue of the Buddha. I have few images of Santa Claus. I have nothing against the Santa story, it's just not my focus for the holiday.
My point is that I keep Christmas as a special time to share with my family and friends. We travel many miles to be together, cook, eat, play, laugh and celebrate together. I will not battle in line at a mall or spend money on credit to give gifts. I don't care that it's a Christian holy day, tangled with pagan traditions. In fact, I think that's pretty cool. I don't like the commercialism, but I don't get caught up in it either. My family's Christmas traditions have changed over time, and we have intentionally tried to let go of the stress and expense so common in the season. We celebrate each other, our shared past, and our hopes.
I know the holidays can be hard for people feeling lonely or depressed. I struggle with some of those feelings myself. Some days I am more interested in celebrating than others. I prefer to focus on the positive, whether it's Christmas or any old Monday.
So Merry Christmas. We made it through another one.