Why do people get so upset when you say I do not celebrate any holidays?

I don't know. In general I don't know why anyone needs other people to do the same as they do. What difference does it make to me, my beliefs and practices whether you follow the same customs? I am me and you are you, and we don't all have to be the same.

I agree my family would be better off scaling back the overconsumption of the holidays, too.

We don't celebrate holidays in commercial ways. Like you, we give to people year round. I don't feel the need to give a gift to someone in December just because it is December. I send a card and gift to my father because I want to show that I respect his holiday and well, I simply like sending him gifts. But this is something that I do throughout the year.

My husband and I don't exchange gifts in December. It simply isn't necessary. We are always buying things for each other or preparing/buying foods that we know the other likes as a way to say "I love you". Our practices aren't any different any other month.

In our religion, we celebrate four hoildays throughout the year. None of them require any monetary gestures and we don't decorate our homes especially for those days. We usually celebrate with a meal, prayer, a food or drink offering to our deities, and in general spending time together.

It would be rude and arrogant to expect others to have the same outlook or traditions that we do. I live and let live. And wish that more would do the same.

They are just trying to figure out why you are so unhappy. Have you given them a reason for not celebrating beside that you're cheap. The beauty isn't in the gift, it is in giving the gift because you care for someone. Whether you make the gift yourself, write a simple note saying how you feel, or spend money on the gift. The most memorable gifts I have ever received were handmade.

It's entirely a personal choice. I don't know why people get their panties in a bunch over it! Maybe they're jealous because they don't feel like celebrating but they caved in to pressure from their families and friends.