Thanks for your thoughts Dimple and Duke1 - they are not too far off from mine. I do feel there is a downside to the affects of globalization but that is far outwieghed by the upside in the long run. At least in the context of this specific example about Christmas. The affluence created by globalization could actually turn out to save many local cultures - afterall, it is not uncommon for people to search for their roots and seek gratification in their own cultures once they have gotten past meeting the needs on the broader end of the needs pyramid.