Seems the general consensus is that whatever our Christmas traditions - that's fine. but we need to keep to or create traditions of our own, to carry on through families, see things evolve and see the pleasure we all get from that feeling. Do we need to buy into commercialism and pressure to do the next thing or craze imported from other countries via the internet?
Whatever next in the run up to Christmas - Thanksgiving? It's our own family traditions which give us that nice seasonal glow, and something to look forward to, something which links the years and the family. Ready-made expensive stuff to buy in boxes - because "everyone" is doing that - is hardly the same thing. My favourite Christmas Eves were when we lived in a small village, the midnight Carol service, the little church filled with huge candles, the choir singing, the walk home under the stars, the race for the children to get into bed "so that Christmas Day comes quicker". Christmas for old or young can always be magical - if we're determined to make it and keep it our own and don't feel that we need to conform to anyone else's new fads or ideas.