it might be Christmas if

- there was a heavy thumbing of feet by the "youngins" at 6 am with a strong hint of "get the heck up"
- they insist on a speed breakfast
- the "youngins" are 25, 30 and 30 years old
- momma is whipping up a gluttoness feed
- 3+ hours are spent assembling the new wave gizmo
- "I don't need no stinking directions"
- the Ralphie ("A Christmas Story") marathon is on and on and on
- the family room looks like the aftermath of a stage 5 hurricane
- there's a chocolate/brandy mousse cup or two or three calling my name
- the sky is gray and the ground brown (we live in a snow belt!)
- I'm getting incessant emails advertizing after-Christmas sales
- ......