It all started with the Canada Post  press release this week. “Christmas time is near!” read the subject line. Followed by the opener, “As Canadians turn their attention to the upcoming holiday season and start prepping their holiday cards...” [caption id="attachment_14009" align="aligncenter" width="273"] Canada Post is jumping all over Christmas with their new stamps – this one’s my favourite! (photo, Canada Post)[/caption] Followed quickly by my sister Rena’s invite to her Annual Tree-Trimming Party at which we hang decorations, sing carols, reenact “A Christmas Carol” and drink cocktails. Then my Book Club’s December meeting. And my friend Cheryl’s Wreath-Making Afternoon in December. Already I feel stressed and like I am falling behind. Is it just me or are other people still scarfing down leftover mini candy bars in an attempt to put closure on Halloween? (So happy I sprang for the Costco bag-o’-candy bars for almost $20 for the 10 children that came to my door). Am I the only person in the world who still hasn’t located my favourite cosy winter gray sweater from last year? I still have to book my winter tires. I’m still rooting for a little fall weather before winter. I’m still putting up preserves. Apparently, however, I am the only one still doing this stuff. Everyone else has moved on. And maybe this is a good thing. Maybe the world is just getting superorganized this year – and I will be the only voice wailing, “OMG, WHAT DAY IS CHRISTMAS AGAIN? I’M NOT READY!” on Dec. 24. Call me crazy (it’s a rhetorical request), but here’s what I’ve been doing. I've been catching up with a few friends, I’ve been reading a book and going for walks and looking forward to the Royal Winter Fair so I can hopefully fawn over little piglets or ooh over butter sculptures and watch a horse show. Even Kim Kardashian gave the holidays a shout-out when she tweeted that her goal for 2013 is to slim down (she’s gained 20 or so love pounds since she’s been going out with Kanye). Maybe I am crazy (again, no comment necessary) but here it is, my way to handle Christmas and the holidays. I'm going to contain it to December. l’m not going to complain about it because I know how lucky I am to celebrate a season of love and light in a place like Canada – a country I am so grateful to call home. I like Christmas, but I'm leaving it to the last month of the year. Besides, my birthday is at the end of this month. I have to scarf down my chocolate cake before I can move on to fruitcake and Christmassy martinis. Also, how weird is it that Kim Kardashian and I have the same goal for 2013? How about you? Are you thinking Merry Christmas! yet?