A new poll has revealed that Christmas has lost its religious meaning for many Americans, because as the holiday approaches, last-minute shoppers visit malls to buy presents for everyone on their list.
The poll suggested that the story of hope surrounding the birth of Jesus has apparently been swamped by commercialism, the New York Daily News reported.
According to the Pew Research Center poll, only half of 2,000 American respondents said they consider Christmas a religious holiday, while one-third said they viewed the occasion as a cultural celebration.
The poll found that out of the 69 percent of believers who attended Christmas worship services as kids, only 54 percent said they would dutifully go to church this year.
Around 86 percent said they will splurge on gifts for their loved ones, and will hang out with their friends and extended family.