As somebody who worked retail for over a decade (and now works a job that still gets more stressful around this time although thankfully I don't deal with customers anymore)), yeah that kinda puts a permanent stain on the holiday season itself. The 24th/25th are fine, but the rest of the season sucks. Too many people about, 1/3 of the radio stations apparently think limiting themselves to the 3 dozen Christmas songs is not total bullshit, a good portion of the people I know are stressed out, etc. The only time during the month I might enjoy myself is if I get a chance to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Grinch (original animated), Santa Clause, Muppets' Christmas Carol, etc. but usually I'm too busy to find time.
Halloween is awesome. Barely any effect on retail (you grab a few bags of candy and usually a few costumes, boom you're done), and I spend the month playing scary video games and watching scary movies. I got like 40 trick or treaters this Halloween despite a sudden drop in temperature and some decent wind. Also went with my sister and brother-in-law when they took their daughter to visit my grandmother in her assisted living home where they were putting on a trick or treat party where all the elderly waited outside their room doors (some in costume) with candy. My niece is only 1 so they had her wear a simple duck costume, but my cousin and her daughter also showed up and her daughter was dressed as Uraraka from My Hero Academia, very cool.
sorry to hear this brap. Hopefully the Giant bomb goty stuff will make you feel better. 
