This sort of thing, e.g. the weather in Denver, the arrival of Christmas, etc, wasn't such a deadline. Christmas was, until sometime early in the past century, a 12-day holiday period, beginning with Christmas Day, commemorating the birth of Jesus, and ending with Epiphany, commemorating the arrival of the Magi. The Magi, wisely, advised Joseph and Mary to take their child and skedaddle, as Herod's thugs were working their way through the land, killing all the very young children.

Nowadays, the pleasure of the season has been compromised, leading to a desperate rush to spend money by December 24, so gifts can be given on the 25th and the whole thing forgotten by the 27th (Gifts are taken back to the store(s) on the 26th). It's supposed to be about enjoying the fellowship with friends and neighbors and not about enriching the merchants, isn't it? ... and maybe about breaking bread and raising a glass with them?

I fear we've lost yet another fine custom to the commercialists.

enjoy it while it lasts!

... and a partridge in a pear tree ...

RE