Perhaps I should balance my original post ( which was made in the spirit of toothache as well as real disgruntlement) by saying that I love the day. I love having my family around me, all the laughing and teasing as we open successively ridiculous presents,I love the old carols and the re-runs of 'It's a Wonderful Life' and playing endless games and eating stuff that's bad for you.It's the overly long and cynically crass exploitation of the spirit of christmas that I find depressing and the effects on the poor, the lonely and the ill.