I was planning to compose this essay when the “holiday season” ended, but soon I realized if that were to be the case I’d be waiting until the next Ice Age — and by now you know I can’t keep my mouth shut. My neighbors have left their reindeer and sled lawn decoration, along with their blinking lights, in place for decades now. His millennium New Year’s decorations are still in place as well — though thankfully the lights have dimmed slightly.

I have been reading and hearing about sales for 2025 the moment the ball hit its terminus on the Hotel Northampton. Heck, “Half Christmas” sales are on June 25 every year now. On Dec. 26, I was greeted with bargains for greeting cards, gifts, and “once in a lifetime” deals for the 2025 holidays before the first 2024 gift was returned.

I suppose I should be grateful that it still isn’t quite as disturbing as the ubiquitous “last chance” automobile sales. If I keep saving money like that, my credit rating will have me in the hoosegow.

From reading above, you might have gotten the impression that I’m just an old curmudgeon (well you’d be half right about that — I just turned 80) and don’t like holidays. The latter couldn’t be farther from the truth. I’m just not particularly fond of “joyous” occasions that celebrate and commemorate violence, war, and death.

Religion is often the theme of our holidays, but it can be argued that it’s the source of more death, violence, and discrimination in the history of the world than any other single issue — to wit, most recently the Oct. 7 incursion and slaughter by Hamas in Israel and its aftermath. I try hard to avoid all of that in my holiday celebrations.

As an aside, I have no beef with private entities celebrating any day it wishes to, but I always thought our country prided itself on its stance concerning the separation of church and state. Yet some religious holidays also are considered federal holidays. Post offices and other federal agencies close their doors.

Despite all of the above, I am definitely a holiday geek. I observe 365 different “National Days” a year (366 on leap years) that have nothing to do with any of the above subjects. Due to lack of space, I’ll mention only three of my favorites.

■July 7 is Rock ‘n’ Roll Day. What a joy. I particularly focus on the Doo Wop part of the day. Have you ever tried to sit still and not be happy while listening to “I Wonder Why” by Dion and the Belmonts or “At the Hop” by Danny and the Juniors?

■Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day. If Phil sees his shadow we are destined for six more weeks of winter. Wax the skis and head for the hills.

■March 22 is National Goofy Ahh Day or simply Goof Off Day. No explanation needed.

Try them. You just might like the change.

Jonathan Kahane lives in Westhampton.