Christmas/New Years Analysis

Over break i was thinking about how my holiday compared to the rest of America or the American way of life. I felt like my Christmas wasn't the typical Christmas because it was a little more reserved than the typical Christmas. Even though i did spend it with family (because that's what its supposed to be about right?), i wasn't allt hat excited about it like i used to be. I didn't wake up at the crack of dawn to open presents,didn't go searching for my gifts before Christmas, and i wasn't every excited with what i got this year either. In America, Christmas is all about spending hard earned money on extravagant gifts and letting kids think a fat white man brought those gifts for them. I think that the whole Santa aspect of Christmas is ridiculous. This year I was happy with spending Christmas at my grandmas house and not getting much, it didn't really matter to me because Christmas is only 1 day out of the year...why should it be such a big deal? However I feel that many Americans would disagree with me.
New years on the other hand I felt like my New years did go along with the American way of life. When new years comes around, Americans usually get this idea that its all about having fun. Most of this "fun" is related to going to parties, getting drunk, and just acting fool. this new years i did go to a party and had a a good time, however i feel like it shouldn't be like that every year. Why go out and bring in the new year partying...is that how the rest of the year is going to be spent? i think that it is also good to spend time with family or by yourself during this holiday. You can have fun by sitting at home and watching the ball drop on TV, or playing a game with friends and family. Another thing that i noticed Americans participate in is making "new year resolutions". Many make these crazy resolutions about what they could do better in the new year, which are usually full of bull. People may carry them out for a couple of weeks, but its not likely for someone to keep or even remember theirs for the rest of the year. I think its a silly tradition that Americans follow to make them feel better about themselves. Make them feel as if they are willing to change, and are going to make that change for the new year.