Well Annica, I can only say your tradition isn't as bad as the fact that Americans make every holiday into a Retail event.
eg:
Valentines: Buy candy and gifts for the one you love.
St. Patrick's Day: Get drunk and buy green gifts for your friends.
Easter: Color eggs and buy candy and gifts for your kids.
4th of July:
Buy everything
Red
, White, and
Blue
.
Halloween: Buy a ton of candy and give it to any child that dresses up and comes to your door.
Thanksgiving: Gorge yourself on turkey, dressing, pie, and whatever else you can get your hands on, then start Christmas shopping.
Christmas: Buy more than you can afford and give it to you friends, then pay all next year for it.
I don't know about other countries, but I think America makes everything into a retail event
.