The commercialization of Christmas becomes a stressful time to most Canadians and borders on a dreaded time of the year rather than the most wonderful.

According to a poll conducted last year by The Bank of Montreal (BMO), Canadians are going to spend seven per cent more over the holiday compared to two years ago.

Albertans will also spend more than the average cost which is $1,397 per person, at approximately $1,600 for gifts, trips and other forms of entertainment.

Rushing around to find the perfect gift for your loved one in record time can create tension and debt between families. Travelling expenses also puts the pressure on with high traffic volumes, possible delayed flights, leaving people impatient and in a constant frenzy.

How many people actually know the real meaning behind Christmas? I can guess that most people have lost their meaning due to a lack of faith. The purpose, in my opinion, is to enhance spiritual values of some kind even if you’re not necessarily religious and not replace them with materialistic views.

Also, the sense of always “needing” to spend on extended family or others out of obligation, instead of keeping it within your immediate family every now and then – which is not always a bad thing.

If you didn’t receive any gifts or something relatively big and flashy during the holidays would you feel upset? Or would you focus on the fact that you’re alive and well and spending time with your family or other loved ones.

If you don’t have enough money for what one might consider a lot of gifts, would something simple and heartfelt not suffice? It’s not about how much you can buy for a person but the thought that you put into one gift that could be something small but still as meaningful.

For 2012, BMO suggests just 34 per cent of people set budgets for their daily expenses.

It leaves me to think what people do during the holidays? Do they put it all on credit and spend the next year trying to pay it off with each pay cheque? That could very well be the reality we’re all ashamed to admit.

I believe that during the holidays we teach children that whatever they get they are entitled to, forgetting that it’s a privilege to get anything. What child really needs a thousand toys that just collect dust after a few uses? Or is it really important to get an iPhone 5 for your 12-year-old? Clearly they are serious business people who need to keep in contact with their company 24/7.

It’s unfortunate that families are losing their sense of traditional values over the holidays such as going to church, having yearly rituals of going to your Grandma’s house for Christmas dinner, driving around the city with your dad looking at Christmas lights and so forth.

When did people stop listening to their inner voice and start listening to big advertising companies that distort the perfect image of a family?

Possibly there is too much hype over holidays. Before Halloween finished some stores began rolling out Christmas decorations and blaring holiday jingles.

Shoppers Drug Mart had to shut down their festive spirit early because people were complaining about Christmas music playing only two days after Halloween.

I’m certain customers didn’t want to hear yuletide carols so soon and have images of sugarplums dancing in their head as they shopped for leftover discounted Halloween candy.

There’s also a debate to say “Merry Christmas” or a generic “Happy Holidays.” For some people who aren’t religious and celebrate Christmas (some might dub a religious holiday) is confusing for some. So, what exactly do you say to an atheist then?

Growing up, saying Merry Christmas had nothing to do with me being Catholic, it was just known as the term for the holidays.

This year try to ignore the consumer commercialism with flashy signs that keep telling you a bargain will only last two more days, you must resist the urge to spend.

Giving a gift is ultimately your choice so don’t get sucked in or feel obligated just because it’s your sister’s boyfriends aunt Mary.

Try giving from the heart and not from your wallet. Spending time with loved ones could be your greatest gift of all.