This may be a tired subject to some people, but I really need to vent. We are getting to the point that there is no holiday season, it’s just three months of continuous holidays! Every year, it gets to be earlier and earlier and its driving me crazy. There’s even a definition for it.

Christmahannukwanzadan is defined in the Urban Dictionary as “a combination of the main holiday terms; Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza, and Ramadan. To be used in this age of correctness where people may be offended by wishing one person a seasonal greeting but leaving another person out, thereby offending their race or creed.” Really? There is now a definition for this condition and it’s getting worse each and every year.

I saw the first signs of Fall in JULY when our local Wal-Mart starting putting out Pumpkin Spice coffee creamer. Then came the Fall decorations and the Halloween candy and costumes in Costco in AUGUST. Now, this past weekend, right next to said Halloween costumes and decorations, there are Christmas trees and lights being put on display … in SEPTEMBER!

I know that, for some people, Christmas is a mindset that lasts all year long. I married one of those fanatics so I know what I’m talking about. I spend my year watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas music on a regular basis, so I’m immune to these dastardly effects, and please, don’t think I’m a “Grinch” either.

Call me old fashion, but I remember a time when there were three distinct holidays. October was the start of Fall and then Halloween. The day after Halloween, you started planning for Thanksgiving, parades, and football, and then into Christmas. You didn’t decorate your house until mid-December. I mean, look at some of the classic movies like “A Christmas Story” or “Miracle on 34th Street” or “The Waltons Homecoming” and you’ll see what it was like.

To paraphrase a line from the classic “Miracle on 34th Street,” there’s a lot of “isms” out there and commercialism is the worst. I mean, just look at what we eat and drink. Everything is pumpkin flavored this time of year, from coffee and beer to donuts and pasta. It’s out of control! I’ve even already started seeing ads for the “Countdown to Christmas” on the Hallmark Channel.

Look, I love the holidays. I am a master of lights and displays this time of year and I love to show it off, but can we please concentrate on one holiday at a time so we can enjoy the fun of each and everyone. You lose some of that holiday spirit when you run things together like this, then you skip over the true meanings that they bring to all of us. So let’s try to enjoy this holiday season without having everything run together to where it ruins those special days. Happy Christmahannukwanzadan to everyone!

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Mark Piggott is the author of the Forever Avalon book series. Forever Avalon is available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The Dark Tides is available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iUniverse. The Outlander War can be previewed at Inkitt.