--with those who find the holiday season just a tad overbearing, and overlong.

A lot of this has to do with economics, of course; in the words of Tom Lehrer--
"Angels we have heard on high, tell us to go out and buy . . .
God march ye merry merchants may you make the Yuletide pay . . ."

For those with a touch of bah humbug, may I humbly suggest celebrating Festivus:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivus

http://www.festivusbook.com/