Did you hear that they are moving the date of Christmas this year?

No, not really.

But we do seem to act as if it is a different date each year.

I guess there are those among us that enjoy the pressure shopping of the day before Christmas. To me it's one definition of hell on earth, along with standing in line at a theme park in August.

Same time every year

Have you ever noticed that Christmas and other major events around the holidays are at the same time every year?

I first noticed this and what it meant when I was married and we found ourselves at the mall years ago, looking for a place to park. It occurred to us both that this was really silly since it came at the same expected time each year.

If it is at the same expected time each year, does that not imply that we could perhaps plan for it?

Here are a few suggestions on how to get ready

• Since stores are open year round, you could shop year round. When you see something that someone on your yearly list would like, get it then and save it for the big day.

• Refuse to wait until the last minute on anything.

• Begin early to get ready and do a little bit at a time.

• Set goals to have things accomplished way before the last possible minute. In this way, you do not have to scramble around making yourself and those around you crazy.

• Enjoy and celebrate.