Silly season has begun - but when does it end?

１２月は忙しくなります。
クリスマスや忘年会、大晦日など
イベントが盛り沢山！
楽しいですが、疲れる時期でもありますね。

It's affectionately noted as the 'silly season' in
the West and renowned as the season that
causes the most stress throughout the year.
So what season is it you ask? It's the Christmas
season - of course! And why does the Christmas
season cause all this unnecessary stress?
One word, shopping. Shopping for presents
can be fun, but it can also be very time
consuming and difficult. Time consuming
because it takes a long time to find the
'perfect' gift. And difficult because some
people may not be satisfied with an ordinary gift.
Living overseas means that it is more expensive
buying gifts and sending them via airmail service.
Is there any relief? There can be if you decide
not to get caught up in all the materialism of
the season. About four years ago I watched
and read an excellent book by John Grisham
titled 'Skipping Christmas' it was not only
funny but also very realistic! Perhaps one year
I too will skip this silly season.
When does the silly season end? Usually after
the new period. Up until that time there are
crazy bargain sales and lots of pressure to
buy, buy, buy.

Affectionately=愛情を込めて
=warm-hearted feeling/cute nickname
silly=ばかげた、愚かな
Renowned=名高い、名声のある
=well known, popular, famous for something
Time consuming=時間のかかる
=when an activity takes too much time
be satisfied with=〜に満足する
ordinary=普通の、平凡な=general, usual
Via=経由で、〜を経て=through, by something
Relief=不安を取り除く、安心=a feeling of relaxation
Materialism=物質主義
=when people focus only on what they can get
and what they can buy