There is the cheesy saying some people use that they need a vacation from their vacation.
It's now less than a month away from Dec. 25, and that means it's time to stress out because there are a lot of crowded shopping centres ahead and some of them aren't going to wish you the season's greetings you feel entitled to.
It can be frustrating for someone like me, who just wants to do their own thing and have a good time with their family, when a few others like to add a little holiday controversy. It's the drama that everyone else creates that stresses me out.
Christmas, for many, is a downright stressful time, which is the complete opposite of what we all want it to be. It should be the holiday we don't need a holiday from.
But there is no way to escape the controversies and problems that lurk behind every corner each December, with the sole purpose of sapping you of good cheer and making your heart two sizes too small.
Already this year - before December even began - it's been brought to my attention that there is a war on Christmas and how it is traditionally celebrated. Happy Holidays has become the PC greeting and farewell for chain stores everywhere because, of course, we need a greeting that is politically correct. The sentiment is pretty innocuous, but in the Christmas spirit of openness and acceptance, the term is intolerable for some.
I have heard people in my own family declare that if an employee at a store wishes them a "Happy holidays" instead of a "Merry Christmas" they will never shop there again. It's baffling, but whatever makes them happy, I guess.
Please just greet people how you would like to greet them, and let them do the same.
Try to have a good Christmas this year. Don't get too upset by long lines in stores. Don't stress out over holiday travel and the things that are out of your control. Most things are out of our control throughout December, so try to enjoy a holiday that is celebrated in more ways than one. How other people choose to celebrate, or not celebrate, is just another thing outside of our control.
If somebody wishes you a "Happy Holidays," return it with a cheerful response however you wish.
To escape the ubiquitous Christmas music, avoid the radio stations that play it. And avoid shopping malls if at all possible. They really do suck the holiday spirit out of those songs by hitting repeat for the entire month. I try to get a brief taste of them for a couple of days leading up to Dec. 25 and that does plenty to get me mentally prepared for good times with the family. A couple of days is all I need, and it's thankfully still something in my control.
This December, in the words of Bill and Ted, be excellent to each other.
I should also give a shout out to everyone who donated to The Mercury moustaches over the course of Movember. Thank you for your donations of more than $1,000. All money raised goes to supporting men's health issues, so a final thanks to everyone who donated and men across the city for not shaving that upper lip for 30 days.
