Merry Agnostic Christmas

I hear all the time, people asking how someone could celebrate Christmas without believing in Jesus? (I would have to assume when they say "believe in Jesus" they are talking about believing in Christianity.) It begs the question, what is Christmas really and what does it mean? Well I certainly cannot speak for everyone, but this is my agnostic view of Christmas.
First of all comes the question of what is Christmas. Well to Christians Christmas is the over marketed capitalistic celebration of Jesus' birth. (Again this is my view.) This evolved from the Pagan Winter Solstice. Add some pagan tree worship and sprinkle on some of Jesus' birthday and there you have it, Christmas wrapped up in a neat little bow.
Then you have the big fat guy. Santa has gotten way out of control. This guy flies around the world in one night delivering presents to all the good kids? That may have worked long ago but there are just too many damn kids, and they are greedy. These kids today don't ask for one toy that Santa's elves can make in the shop. "Come here son let me widdle you a spinning top." No they want every gismo and gadget they see on the television. Not every Santa is rich and these toys are expensive. I remember Santa giving me a shoe string and a ball, and you know I was happy with that. Hell I just made a yo-yo out of them. Now Santa has to take out four loans and max out six different credit cards to get the crap these kids want.
Now this may seem quite cynical, but it is only one view and I have two eyes. Christmas is of course more than the commercialism and decorations. Christmas is a time for giving and family. It's a time when we wake up early and enjoy the smiles of innocence glancing upon a gleaming treasure left for them to discover. This is the time of year to pass down traditions from both sides of the family as well as making our own. (I personally enjoy reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas to my little elves sitting on my lap on Christmas Eve.) Christmas is a time to show those around you how much you care.
Then of course there is the holiday spirit. Making up obscene lyrics to innocent Christmas Carols and fictional children's characters, adding alcohol to holiday drinks or wearing ridiculous hats with a mistletoe hanging from it. Where ever you go people are smiling. It puts a smell and taste to the air all around us. Yes part of this is the impending winter pushing it's way in, but it is also the cookies and breads, the freshly cut trees.
Christmas has a little something for everyone. This is not just a religious holiday, but a family holiday. You don't have to "buy" in to religious doctrine to celebrate and enjoy the festivities. That's one of the great things about Christmas, it transcends ideologies and breaks down barriers to bring people together.
This Christmas season lets break the pattern from the previous years and stop bickering about what we call trees and who's traditions are better than who's. Everyone has their traditions, and their reasons for those traditions. Let us keep in the spirit of the season and just love one another.