I have a feeling that a lot of the negativity you are hearing is a result of the bad economic conditions the world is experiencing. For many people, Christmas has become a very commercial holiday, and the holiday items in the stores might make them feel nervous about the amount of money that they might soon feel expected to spend, or guilty because they know that this year's holiday season will be less extravagant than previous years. It is also possible that some of the negative reactions have to do with the fact that the holiday has become so commercialized. Those who prize the holiday for its religious implications might find the ever-earlier introduction of Christmas merchandise incredibly distasteful.

For me, I like the holiday season. I never have to cook (I am really bad at it!) so Thanksgiving is just a great day to hang out on the couch and eat a lot of great food. Since only my immediate family is anywhere close to me, I don't have a lot of familial pressures, which makes everything so much easier. My boyfriend's family is also extremely low-key, so they do not add to holiday stress.

As for Christmas, I love it. I listen to all the cheesy holiday carols, decorate my apartment and sleep on flannel "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" sheets. I buy presents for some, get presents from some and go to church on Christmas Eve. While the day is not always stress-free, more often than not, it is quite enjoyable. Now that I am an adult, I occasionally host the holiday. And when I do, I buy fancy paper plates and plastic silverware - not having to clean up makes everything better.

My holiday season this year will be a bit more low-key than year's past - I am trying to save money for my return to school and pay off some outstanding debt. But I am excited nonetheless.