Officials in Plano, Texas, for example, banned Christmassy colours from a school's winter party.

ECONOMIST: The politics of Christmas

All this restored my spirits and took my mind off the vapid Christmassy nonsense outside and.

CNN: From Our Correspondent: Merry Christmas, Uncle Ho

Showing fireworks, a baby and the broadcaster's "millennium" dandelion motif - as well as some Christmassy snowflakes - the cards look to the New Year with a palpable enthusiasm.

BBC: What do your Christmas cards say about you?