The Christmas tree is no more pagan than Prince Albert was. It's German and commercial. Back to history, after the (UK) Civil War and before about 1820 you see very little mention of Christmas- nobody thought it was very important. All the modern symbols of the holiday- the tree, cards, Santa etc.- developed from the early Victorian period onwards, and it's no coincidence that one of the recurring themes on cards is the stagecoach in the snow- nostalgia for the pre- railway age of unhurried simplicity (huh).

Not that I'm against celebrating the Winster Solipsist, it's just about 4 days too late and goes on too long. Let's get back to the original meaning of Christmas, and evict a few peasants.