"Religious roots"
Almost all the symbols of the holiday are taken from Yule, which is a pagan holiday far older than what people think of as christianity.

Don't even get me started on the other Christian holidays. The only one that originates with them is Good Friday.

Every single other one is stolen and repurposed.

Yep, not an original bone in any church's body really.

Halloween is much better.

In all honesty, the public holidays completely free of religious influence can probably be counted on one hand (two at most). I do agree with Pixie on the consumerist rubbish that has consumed Christmas in recent years, but my main gripe about the Christmas season is the entitled half-wits who absolutely insist on claiming that stores offering decorations for Hanukkah, Eid and the suchlike are an act of persecution against Christians (conveniently forgetting that there are sects of Christianity that do not participate in the holiday, and that any bans on the holiday in the past were perpetrated by those Christian sects that felt it was too pagan).

I USED to see a decent selection of Hanukkah related items at stores like Target and Michaels. But this past year I've seen the variety get lesser, yet the Christmas varieties increase...to a point. I've also seen an increased negativity towards those that celebrate, mainly on social media by those that prefer living their own miserable lifestyles.

Though I have seen a massive increase in Christmas decorative inflatables in yards. Example, in my town 3 years ago, a well traveled street had these massive 12 foot tall inflatable Santas, there were 3 on the street, the next year increased to 12, last year 25, this year, almost 120, just about every home on that street now has a 12 foot Santa out front. Even a couple Jewish homes even have them. One Jewish home even has their Santa with Orthodox Payot curls and even a Hebrew tallit scarf. Very well played and yet in theme with the street.

Sadly I am seeing Halloween seriously frowned upon, especially in public schools. Especially in grades 1-8 in my area. WOKE members of the school board and a few parents don't want kids wearing certain costumes in fear of upsetting somebody or cultural misappropriation or triggering somebody easily riled that they deem...offensive. And an increased downplaying Trick or Treating for kids. Though some neighborhoods go full out and actively encourage it. Instead pushing "Trick or Treating" for very limited hours, often starting at 4 PM (When many aren't home from work yet) and ending at 6PM "For the safety of the children" . Some places insist having designated "Halloween Trick or Treating' locations , usually at the mall "For the safety of the children".

I miss the days of my youth when we actually had FUN going trick or treating, wearing what we wanted without upsetting folks seeing 'Cultural misappropriation'. (IE: Cowboys, Indians, Kung Fu fighters, even hobos)

You are SO right, there, rabbi-tom. When I was a kid, was the first time I knew of where we had to "worry about someone doing something to the candy" and that was about 60 years ago. (I recently found out that the situation described was attributed to a parent doing something to the candy their child(ren) got not the candy that was given out.)

I always feared my Iguanas during the holidays, they LOVED to climb the Christmas tree and park in it. You know what its like for a 6 foot long iguana or two peering at you like massive scaled squirrels from within the tree like they owned it. And extracting them always caused decorations, light strings to be knocked off in the process.

I'm a happy and proud Heathen/Pagan, and realize what the sentiment of 'Yule' is (And was stolen by the Catholic/Christian theology, then warped to their agenda(s)), and can relate to both sentiments these two characters have.
Alas, my Catto and Doggo have taught me that trying to decorate any 'Tree' indoors, is an effort in futility! (I enjoy visiting others who can! That lovely pine-scent is just so,,, :: Chef-kissies :: )

Regardless of what you/anyone Believes in- I do wish y'all the VERY best Holidays, and hope that the New Year treats you with the kindness you deserve!

You're right about the origins of Christmas celebrations. Of course, that's true of most modern Christian celebrations (Easter and Halloween are two good examples). Knowing this, I still enjoy the warmth and pleasure that Christmas celebrations bring to me and everyone else. I also hope that everyone's holiday celebrations (whichever one(s) you celebrate) bring you joy and happiness.

Yes.
I take the attribution with a grain of salt, knowing that most folks are blissfully unaware of it. I too enjoy the festivities (To a point. The blatant 'Capitalism' has sorta soured things, when you see decorations MONTHS in advance of the actual Holiday/Event.).

I'm the kind of person who has NO problem with folks having different opinions, about practically anything (There are limits). I can show respect (To the best of my knowledge/education.), while visiting people's homes, and know to just smile and enjoy the company of folks who might be celebrating something I do not.

I really wish the rest of the world would learn to put their egos on a shelf inside their minds, if-only for a little bit (Duration of the engagement/visit).

When I hear the word 'Appropriation' I instantly cringe inside. I try to view it as that Olde Saying goes- "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

Nice to see ya again (I haven't forgotten, I SWEAR! :: Takes down clipboard and shows it to the monitor, 'cause I'm that big of a dork! :: ). I meant to stop by and ask you how your T-Day went, but IRL had me down (Flu), and I'm still scrabbling about trying to get stuff done.

Hope Xmas/Yule/New Years finds you doing GREAT!

My Thanksgiving went rather well. I traveled about 70 miles to enjoy dinner with some of my cousins. (Normally, they travel to an island near where I live and I visit them there. This year they had to work that evening to prepare for Black Friday.)

I haven't been able to do any writing lately due to my external hard-drive acting up. (Either that or my laptop acting up.) I'm not sure what's wrong; all I know is that for some reason, my laptop won't mount my hard-drive. I'm going to have to go to my computer techs and see if there's anything they can do. I'm so close to finishing my story that I'm really a little ticked about this situation. Hopefully, by Christmas, I'll be back on the writing side of things again.

Since I live in Floria, the only thing I like about the holiday is that when the x-mas muzak starts playing everywhere, hurricane season is over. The eggnog is nice, too.

Minx? I don't remember seeing her. Of course, since she's a cat, she's going to climb the Christmas tree. LOL (I've got three cats so I don't have a tree.)

I have a feeling minx’s backside may feel that broom in a minute