It's Christmas time again, so, what's so special this year?

Christmas comes each year and it is a favorite among those in retail. Why? It's the time when Americans spend a lot of money. Why? Because.

I've always wanted to walk up to a house with the typical family -- mum, father, and 2.4 children -- on Christmas Day and just watch them do their thing. After they've all torn through the decorative paper and ribbon (much like you would do at Red Lobster to get to the meat in a lobster) I would ask them about their presents. Ask the parents why they purchased the things they did for their offspring and ask the children why they think their parents purchased things for them.

I wonder how many people understand the history behind the modern Christmas. Do they realise that Jesus Christ wasn't born on the 25th of December? Do they know that that it wasn't until Christianity co-opted the pre-existing pagan Solistice and Roman celebrations?

I also wonder why so many people feel an urge to spend money to purchase a gift for someone (especially their children). What's wrong with celebrating the end of the year, the coming of longer days, or the life of a man without involving materialism?

The problem is that if the world did so they wouldn't earn their rebates, cash back, frequent flier miles, and they would cease to be sheep. Corporate America has drilled into our heads so deftly the idea that we need things. They play to our children and induce in them a want and tell them that if they don't have a widget they will be uncool.

There is nothing more irritating than seeing advertisement after advertisement everywhere I look telling me to buy something I don't need. What sets me apart from the mindless Americans who buy into everything they're told?

Can you go an entire year without impulse buying? Can you go an entire year without being suckered into buying into the consumerism based holidays?