An entertaining article in the New York Times discusses the history of Christmas in the United States, in the context of a recent offensive by neo-conservatives to promote the
holiday in favour of more neutral terms. It seems the whole 'over commercialized' refrain is not new: "In 1827, an Episcopal bishop lamented that the Devil had stolen Christmas 'and converted it into a day of worldly festivity, shooting and swearing.'" Also according to the article, just prior to the Civil War, only 18 states recognized Christmas.
Myself, I am
quite fond of the promotion Virgin has been doing in this country -
Happy Chrismahanukwanzakah.