If I asked you to describe your ideal holiday season, what would you say?

Off the top of your head you may begin, 'the company of loved ones, good food, fun� no drunken performances by weird Uncle Ralph'? Get even more brazen and you might go on to describe feelings of peace and tranquility enveloping you, your home, community and world.

Whatever's on your list, compare it now with your typical mid-December scene at the mall; shoppers stepping lightly amid traffic while balancing their many purchases, fluctuating between fatigue and panic in the search for non-existent parking spaces and the perfect gift that says, �I drew your name for Secret Santa and in the end chose this because it was closest to the exit about five minutes before my head was about to implode. Oh, and it was on sale!�

Not really an overly ambitious goal, is it? It seems simple enough, but the holidays too often squander our energies rather than uplift us. Feeling trapped by the mile-long lists, shopping, spending, boorish displays and feverish preparations isn't something you alone experience: surveys throughout the years identify we feel increasingly put upon by the commercialization of the season and want to see more of what matters� not just more stuff. I'm pleased the research shows many of us are also worried that the aggressive marketing of anything and everything in everyday life (but especially centered around The Holiday Season) will most likely result in serious consequences where our children and generations to come are concerned. (Interestingly enough, I see it hasn't cut down on the crush of people (the same people who answered the surveys?) hitting the mall during the whole of the month of December).

Here's a thought: make like Charlie Brown! Shun the garish lighting displays (do they still use those ditch lights? I don't think I've ever seen one in person) in favour of the humble little twig that carries with it a little more meaning. This holiday season, even if you're still eating and spending a bit more than you had planned, take a step back from it all. Treat yourself to some tranquility, togetherness and renewal�whatever matters most to you; those are the feelings that will follow you into the new year on a positive note.

And they don't need batteries.

This has been a Holidailies entry.

Posted at 4:39 p.m.