Happy Holidays?

How come the holidays are so stressful? I am not as stressed this year, but then again, I haven't put up the tree yet and and have only bought a few gifts. I went to the store yesterday to buy some gifts for my nephew and my Dad and Step Mom. The stores were so crowded! The shoppers were grouchy, and they kept wheeling out more items. I don't get it. How come this holiday season is so full of commercialism?