The 12(more or less) signs of Christmas

Did Christmas just sort of sneak up on you this year? Are you scrambling to purchase and/or mail those packages out to your family members?

Ask yourself, how did you come to be in this predicament? If it's because your lazy, a procrastinator, or like shopping at this time of year (you crazy person you), no need to continue further. Now, if you are one of those people who needs constant reminders that hey, Christmas is coming, and I need to get some things done, well, this might be for you.

Using this handy guide, you'll be able to spot sure fire signs that Christmas is coming, and exactly how long you have left until the big J's birthday.

Two months to go (roughly November 1): Halloween decorations and items mysteriously disappear from stores overnight, only to replaced by Christmas decorations and items. Most common are mint-flavored candies.

A month and a half to go: When watching television, all the movie advertisements you see start using the phrase, "this holiday season."

Just over a month to go: Holiday-themed songs start appearing sporadically on in-store radios.

One month to go: It's Friday, you've got tons of leftovers (mainly turkey), and for some reason people are getting up at 5am to head to Wal-Mart.

Just under a month to go: Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and holiday-themed songs start making appearances in most commercials you see on television.

3 weeks to go: Holiday-themed songs are now the only songs you hear on in-store radios.

2 1/2 weeks to go: People wearing Santa hats and ringing bells next to a big red pot are now loitering in front of your favorite stores.

2 weeks to go: You catch "It's a Wonderful Life" on television.

1 1/2 weeks to go: All the spam you're receiving from the online stores you frequent start adding the phrase "there's still time" to their subject lines.

1 week to go: Anytime you are near a major shopping center, the number of cars seems to have increased.

4 days to go: Strangely, there is more Eggnog than actual milk in the Dairy section.

3 days to go: People start adding the phrase "Happy Holidays" to the end of their sentences.

2 days to go: Those trees you've seen on sale for some reason in front of stores? Well now the price has doubled on them.

1 day to go: Anytime you are near a major shopping center, you get stuck in traffic, get honked at incessantly, and unless your imagining things, that woman in the Santa hat just gave you the finger.

Well, I hope this guide will serve you well next holiday season. Just look for the signs and Happy Holidays! (see? 3 days to go!)