Yes, the mute button, or "previous" do come in handy. There are some (the cavemen come to mind) I can't stomach and I'll hit any button available. We don't have DVR. I know, we're in the stone age.

Now, back to Christmas commercials specifically, I don't know, some are sweet. They, of course, push the materialistic side of Christmas for the most part but that's their point. I guess bottom line is I don't like or dislike them any more or less than regular ones.