Is christmas really just an yearly tradition that is consumer based?

Christmas is what you want to make it. For some people, especially the media which likes to criticize everything, it is just a consumer event. But, just because people enjoy buying presents for loved ones doesn't make it bad. We should look at all the goodwill and positive things about Christmas and stop being so hyper-critical. If you don't like the consumer aspects just ignore them and show your love of family, friends and humanity in other ways. You could also go to church on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve and see all the love and goodwill.

it seems to have gone this way but it is when your family is gone you know what Christmas was like when you were little and the way it should have stayed.

I think millions of people all over the world particularly christians of all outfits celebrate this festival with great dedication and exchange of gifts or offering of gifts is part of the celebration. It is the business organisations who blow up OFFER OF GIFTS to promote their business. I know a lot of christians who remember this festival till the next christmas. It lingers in their mind, the arrangements and preparations they made for celebrating the Christmas.