What is Christmas?

I just read this article from The Star called “Atheists grapple with Christmas“, which is about a new book coming out, a collection of articles written by atheists about how they deal with Christmas. What?! Deal with Christmas? I never really felt that strongly about Christmas as an atheist to boycott the event, or to celebrate the Big Bang instead by listening to white noise on the radio as Simon Singh suggests (jokingly, I hope, because that sounds like the lamest idea since this one*). What is Christmas now? It’s apparently too commercial for some Christians, but, too Christian for others.

I don’t get it. I’m an atheist and I’ve never really taken it that seriously. I thought that was the point of it! There’s a quote in there about how Trottier wants to “stay true to his principles” and not celebrate Christmas. There’s only ONE fucking principle as an atheist, and you don’t have to believe in God to buy presents. Unbelievable.

*I would like a non-Christian cape for Christmas. Thank you.