WAY OUT

I hate how commercial Christmas has become. It leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth and a massive bill to pay off. How do I escape without upsetting the family?

Over It, Albany, WA

My friend Elsie used to love Christmas. She was always saying to her husband Bert, ‘Surprise me!’ and one year he did – the last thing she expected to find in her stockings on Christmas morning was Bert! Do what she does now and volunteer at a homeless shelter on Christmas Day. Your family can hardly object to that.