>How many annual statutory holidays do you have in your country?

No idea, but here they also have a "name day" which is like a birthday based on the name. There are a few names designated to each day of the year.

>Since when have we evolved to be materialistic? 

Since it was profitable. Trade of money, so then it is finding ways to part people with their value, with the goal to get the best deal possible, meaning the least value item for the highest cost.