Christmas Cheer or Christmas Scrooge?

The holidays are supposed to be a time of cheer and fun and joy. It is just me, or does it seem like the holidays can bring out the worst in some people? All the stress of trying to have the perfectly decorated house and finding the right gifts seem to make people go batty.

How would this time of year be different if homes were not decorated in winter attire? What if gifts were given for fun at all different times of the year (not just once or twice)? What if we had family/friend get-togethers whenever we wanted throughout the year? How would things be different then.