I think it's all started far too early, by the time it is actually christmas we are sick and fed up with it. I have cut down on nearly everything over the last couple of years, no little ones around as I don't have contact with my eldest son now, so really not worth making all the fuss. It's not a special time like it was years ago, the children get all they want during the year, unlike when we were young and only had special things at christmas and birthday.