On holidays that are ruined by Hallmark and others

St. Patrick's Day may just be the last unspoiled holiday.

Think about it.

• Christmas - devoured by the pressure to get the perfect gift. and stocking stuffers. and cards. and office Secret Santas

• Valentine's Day - whether you're single or married, need I say more?

• Easter - somehow has morphed into another gift-giving occasion. Easter baskets and candy and Easter gifts and new dresses and shoes.

• Mother's Day - what to get your mother. what to get his mother. how to ooh and ahh over another clay ashtray or other craft doodad. and hope that if they cook for you, you don't get stuck with the clean-up.

• Father's Day - they only ever want ONE thing, no matter how thoughtful you are with your gift presentation

• Fourth of July - Someone always wants you to make your special potato salad when all you want to do is lay in the sun and take a swim

• Halloween - a sheet to be a ghost is no longer a good enough costume. And God forbid that you try to convince your child to wear last year's $49.99 costume with accessories that cost $19.99 each. You have to plan and shop and save for the. perfect. costume. Or, do a Martha Stewart impression and sew up a wonderful creation as a symbol of your love and status as a homemaker. And a bag of Hershey miniatures is no longer good enough, as the neighborhood children have a spreadsheet and keep track of which houses give out the cool candy. And you have to get candy, cards and treats for your kid's entire classroom. and teachers. and the lunch lady. and the bus driver. You know what I mean.

So, that leaves St. Patrick's Day. An excuse to have a nice cold pint, dye your hair green if you so desire and have fun. NO gifts. NO cards.

Nada.

Zip.

Just fun.

Now, aren't you getting excited?