Christmas has become too commercial and materialistic, say Leeds residents.

Christmas shoppers at White Rose Shopping Centre, Leeds.

But nowadays it seems the festive season demands more from families with gift lists longer than the distance to the North Pole itself.

So this week we put the following question to our Yorkshire Evening Post panelists, has our city's Christmas countdown become too commercial and lost the true meaning of this season?

Jim Kirk

I'd rather overspend to give and for a short period of time be the kind of person I should be all year round. You don't get that sense of humanity because it's a winter festival!

Lyn Facey

Christmas is now more of a commercial event and the true meaning has been somewhat lost. Pressure is put on people to get into debt to feed consumerism and the simple pleasures seem less important. I don't join in with the hype preferring to keep it simple and sincere.

Gordon Mayne

Christmas has become far to commercial and materialistic. Christmas decorations and music in the shops in early November is ridiculous. I am not being bah humbug but let's get back to the real spirit of goodwill and peace!

Eva Slingsby

Haven’t Christmas countdowns always been commercial? Christmas is simply consumerism at its height isn’t it, not to sound too bah humbug! I think people are generally less religious nowadays so in that sense Christmas is losing its true meaning.

Natasha Meek

For the festive season I try not to focus on material matters. I try to make sure any gifts I do buy are thoughtful and unique. Christmas is less traditional now but it is a chance to give thanks to supportive loved ones.

Pam Dolan

For me personally (single & no children) I believe it’s totally commercialised, it puts more pressures on families to always strive to make each Christmas bigger than the last. When my godchildren were little they loved what ever Santa brought them.

How do you celebrate Christmas?

Each week we ask our panelists to answer a topical question. If you want to have your say as well as appear in our print edition, email [email protected].