Well another year has passed and once again the holiday season has come upon us. The time of year where everyone goes apeshit trying to get all of their preparations together in time for their holiday celebrations. If you've read some of my past articles you'll know that I'm not exactly the biggest fan of this time of year. It's not that I hate this time of year, but there's something peculiar about a holiday that promotes "Peace On Earth", "Goodwill Towards Men" and the "Joy Of Giving", but also drives individuals into spasms of stress-induced anxiety. Every year it seems to get a bit worse. Every year we get a bit more anxious and sensitive about what I thought was supposed to be a time of "Comfort and Joy." For all of you who loosely follow the traditional Christian rituals for celebrating this time of year it's pretty simple. Give presents, drink eggnog and decorate the Holiday tree. Wait a minute. Holiday tree? I typed in Christmas tree. It's a called a Christmas tree, not a "Holiday Tree." What?! It's changed? Since when?

This is another reason why the holiday season drives me nuts sometimes. I understand the fact that many other cultures celebrate their particular customs during this time of year. That's why instead of saying specifically "Happy Hanukkah" or "Merry Christmas" to an individual we say "Season's Greetings." "Season's Greetings" is essentially the politically correct way of saying "Hey man, I realize you may not be on the same celebration train that I'm on, but I'm sure you're celebrating something this time of year too. So all the best during this festive time. Cheers." But at what point have we got so extremely sensitive that we have to modify other valued traditions in order not to offend people. Has this really become a significant problem? Does the symbol or the very words "Christmas Tree" offend other cultures to the point of disgust? Are followers of the Jewish faith walking down main street, peering into their neighbours windows seeing these fabulously decorated, deciduous trees and turning up their noses? Does a person who celebrates Kwanzaa repulsed by the mere sight of shiny red and green ornaments hanging from a Douglas fir? I don't think so. The Christmas tree is widely recognized as a traditional symbol of celebration by those who follow the Christian faith for many years. It is not meant to offend and nor do I think it does. Is by changing the name to "Holiday Tree" going to suddenly put other festive revelers at ease? Will devotees of other faiths suddenly decide to pick up "Holiday Tree's" for themselves since it is no longer branded with the accursed moniker known as Christmas? I highly doubt it. If I see a menorah in someone's home the last thoughts that would ever enter my mind would be "You know I would be a heck of lot more comfortable if the menorah was called 'festive candelabra' instead."

Everyone celebrates this time of year differently. Some symbols of this time are a lot more evident than others, but by no means is this some kind of representation of antagonism towards other cultures and faiths. I think we all need to relax a little and come to terms with the fact that were all trying to celebrate a special time of year in our own traditional way. Now if you'll excuse me I've got to get back to helping my nephew write his letter to "Holiday Gift Man."