Dotsie,
I guess it's easier for me to tone down the holiday chores because the November-December holidays are not my favorite time of the year.

As we approach Christmas, we lose more and more daylight. Would you all believe that I actually write "Shortest Day" on December 21st? It always brings a smile to my face knowing that the days are getting longer again. [Smile]

I've learned that I like the "one day" holidays -- Valentine's Day, Halloween, 4th of July, Easter. There are fewer expectations associated with these "lesser" holidays, so it's easy for me to enjoy them.