As Black Friday approaches in the states and the Annual Santa Claus parade happens here in Toronto this Sunday, the holidays are officially here.

I tend to get moody and try to bury myself in projects to help keep my sanity because I don't have the leisure of getting away from the "festive season".

The pressure of "being jolly" and "having the holiday spirit" tends to weigh on me pretty heavily. It doesn't help my birthday is two weeks before Christmas.

While most people had the luxury of growing up with a birthday a fair date distance away from another gift-giving holiday, I grew up not thinking of my own birthday as being that special given there was a bigger celebration just around the corner.

(You tend to get only winter-related gifts as well.. I got my fair share of sweaters, hats and gloves over the years)

Now to the heart of this journal... what do you do to cope with the holidays and how does it work for you?

My annual routine is taking my own birthday off and buying myself a birthday present. Sounds a little like Mr. Bean, but it works for me.

Exempt are drugs and alcohol since I do have a retail day job. So lets hear those suggestions!