With Christmas looming over his shoulder like an overbearing helicopter parent, and deadlines zigging and zagging cutting him up left and right like a lane drifter on the highway, it was safe to say that his festive spirit had flatlined. D.O.A The poor sucker never really stood a chance.

Hell, even as he ordered a pumpkin spiced latte, decked with gingerbread crumble and side helping of a cinnamon cookie, he couldn't find it within himself to sing along to the jolly jingle that chimed through the Starbucks. He didn't so much as tap a foot. The realisation of just how far away, a mere nine days, the big day was,...