And stores love to sell them. If you never spend the credit, they get to keep the money. When you pay the excess over the balance on the card, they get more money from you.
Point well taken. I might have better expressed myself to have said our (American) observances include such pagan elements. Not many are their own best editor.
Christmas was adopted by the church as a way to co-opt pre-christian solstice celebrations. Its celebration has always been pagan at heart. Easter has always seemed to holier day to me, a reinforcement of the belief in resurrection that is the core of the Christian faith. Sure it has pagan roots too, with bunnies and eggs and all that, but what are you gonna do?
And stores love to sell them. If you never spend the credit, they get to keep the money. When you pay the excess over the balance on the card, they get more money from you.