***Originally published on December 9th, 2011***This time of the year holds a really weird energy for me.  Right around now of every year, when it feels like the whole country — both online and off — is deeply entrenched in fall and holiday craziness and shopping frenzies and steaming hot beverages in mitten-clad hands, I jump right on the bandwagon, promoting gift ideas and commiserating with the woes of endless gift lists that we just didn’t get an early enough jump on.But in reality, I don’t personally celebrate any of these holidays, and haven’t since sometime around middle school.&nb...