I hate Christmas. It’s a time burdened with thoughtless spending, debt, and consumeristic acquisitiveness. I dislike the entire notion of the “holiday,” and think I can be doing better things with my time and money.

Let me clarify: I love ripping open presents on Christmas morning just as much as anybody. But over the last few months, I’m unsure if it’s really worth it. Half of the presents from last year aren’t around. I’ve either sold them or they’ve broken or they were lost at some point. Probably because they’re not needed.

As cool as a fibre-optic lamp is, I don’t need one. Although a shower radio was on sale, I don’t need one. I appreciate you got me everything you did, but I don’t need most of it.

It’s a sad example of where our society has come. We’ve diminished the true meaning of Christmas, being together as a family and spending relaxing time at home, to relentless and mindless consumerism.

All kids want is to wake up at 6AM on December 25th and rip open presents. They want toys. They want stuff. Stuff. Stuff. Stuff.

This brings me to a Christmas classic that we’ve all seen too many times, and that I believe has lost its meaning and impact. Yes, I’m talking about “The Grinch.” Its message is that Christmas isn’t about consuming, but about time together.

The “celebration” of Christmas is not a celebration as much as a frenzy. It’s ridiculous that I can’t go to a store to buy something I need because every single outlet is packed with frivolous shoppers who will stop at nothing to get that TV at 50% off (even though they probably already have a perfectly good one at home).

As a society, we need to disconnect presents from Christmas. Stores have latched on to an innocent holiday and twisted it into a sick debt-causing hell. When I can’t leave my house because there’s a sale on at some store, that’s a problem.

And that’s precisely what we need to change. It’s probably too late now, but next year, I challenge you to have an unChristmas. No presents, no buying, no sales. To an extent, that’s what we’ve done this year.

Don’t buy into the consumerism of Christmas. Don’t participate in the ridiculous sales and mindless spending. You are being brainwashed by the corporations: they are making you think that you need to go to this sale. They are subconsciously planting a seed of evil that will involuntarily make you swipe that credit card and purchase thousands of dollars of shit you, nor the recipient, needs.

So, next year, let’s have an unChristmas together. No buying, no presents. Just family time, friends, and good times. Let’s revert Christmas to what it’s supposed to be.

Most importantly, spread the word. Tell your friends to have an unChristmas, help them overcome their corporation-influenced views.

The corporations have had their fun, now let’s have ours.