We celebrate Yul... not Christmas. Everything about the holiday has Pagen origins... except the manger/nativity/christ. Christians couldn't get rid of the popular holiday so they took it over.

I love celebrating Winter Solstice/Yul.

My sister suggested that instead of gift buying for everybody we do a Secret Santa exchange. We draw names and only select something for the person whose name we drew. There is a $50 cap on what we can spend. We each get one thing.

This has greatly reduced the stress around holiday shopping. To further reduce the pressure to find the "perfect gift" we encourage each other to mine our online wish lists. The longer the list, the greater possibility of surprise.

Having the expectation of receiving only one gift eliminates the greed problem.

The fun is in solving the mystery of who your Santa is.

My sister made the holidays fun again.

Christmas is fun. And for centuries people have been gathering at this time of year to celebrate family and friendship, to reflect on the past year and to express hope for the one coming, no matter what religion was the accepted one at any given time.

Asking an atheist why they still celebrate Christmas is like asking a childless person why they still like to fuck.

We give presents to people we love because they're people we love. We gather because that's what humans do.

We no longer practice the old religions, and there's no need to observe the Christian religion in order to find value in the season.

Religions change. What remains is people, and their need for connection to the people they care about, and to the world in which they live.

I feel the same! I celebrate the holiday for the family time, feasts, gift giving, and just overall magic feel of it all!

u 2 phoenixone1

Given the onslaught of mediocre kitsch and phony sentimentality, nutjobs desperately seeking to mask the unbridled hatred fomented the rest of the year, I cling to the wonderful truth that this too shall pass.

Even though my family was staunchly Catholic, we never had much religion in Christmas. We celebrated like good American consumers.

Love the time of the year, doesn't need religion

When I was a little kid, I loved Christmas. But I thought all the religious stuff just ruined it.

I always decorate even though I live alone and no young children in my small family. Outside I have a Santa and Mrs. Claus that light up (had for over 20 years now) and a spiral tree. Inside I outline the living room window with lights, have a fiber optic tree (20 years old too), and three animated musical Hallmark toys. No need to believe in any superstition to light up and enjoy the holidays.

It's really originally pre-dating Christian to bring things that remain green inside.
But do the fun things on holidays.
That India chalk dust throwing thing looks hellufun.
I just think people would not understand. And cops and shit.

Season's Greetings!!! Enjoy!!!

Merry Solstice to you. I'm glad to see someone was willing to say what you have. I thought about it, but couldn't find the right words. Good Job, and Happy Holidays.

Nice tree. I do not have that coz I live alone. It could be different but is not. I can still say Merry Christmas (or whatever you want to celebrate) but Christmas is only religious when you look at the word itself. Those that argue to "keep Christ in Christmas" the most are really only into Santa Claus. I drove past a church the other day that claimed they were having a "live nativity scene." Great. They are going out of their way to celebrate something that never happened. I recall years ago in Mad Magazine that one of the 3 wise men brought a gift of Frankenstein instead of frankincense. The serious thing that believers never looked at is that the 3 men brought 3 gifts that were literally incense. OK, we are talking about a manger here. That means a stable for animals. Let's make it smell good.

I love Christmas.

My family are all catholic, they all know I am not a believer in the bullshit stories in the bible, yet they still invite us, my wife and I, to their seasonal parties, the pandemic has basically eliminated all family events and despite all being fully vaccinated and boosted, some members have tested positive, ergo reunions are cancelled this year same as last year. Bummer on one side as I enjoy gift giving and the meals as well as the company, on the other hand it's a breath of fresh air to not listen to all the religious bullshit associated with it.

Bah-Humbug!

happy Festivus. i can't exaggerate the degree to which you all have disappointed me this year.

My son and I do that too. It's fun! We love to decorate, cook and buy presents. No BS. It's a great way to get through the darkest days of the year. Happy Solstice to you!