For lots of people, the days leading up to Christmas are the happiest, most exciting time of the year.
While most workplaces are winding down to enjoy the festivities - for those working in retail, the busiest time of year is just beginning.
By the time the big day arrives, retail workers all over the country have had more than enough of Christmas.
Although retail workers are far from the only ones working the festive period - they're often the brunt of last minute frustrations that only this time of year can induce.
From last minute shoppers, to bizarre goings on - the ghosts of retail workers past and present detail exactly what it's like working at during the apparently "most wonderful time of year".
Here's out round up of the top gripes (and the odd perk) that retail workers at Christmas know all too well.
Christmas music. On a loop. For 8 weeks.
Come November the 1st, pumpkins are long forgotten and high-streets are turned into a tinsel adorned winterland.
But above anything, this is when the dreaded Christmas CD is dug out for another year and workers are subjected to Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas, or worse, the dangerously infectious earworm Holly Jolly Christmas on a loop. Come the end of their shift, they are certainly not jolly.
Last Minute shoppers
Despite Amazon and online shopping slowly taking over - there's nothing quite like hitting the high-street at Christmas time.
That is until Christmas Eve, when a flurry of panicked shoppers rush to tick off their Christmas lists.
Unfortunately for retail assistants, they inevitably become the brunt of shopping stresses.
Items usually in ample supply are suddenly stripped from shelves and then come the predictable cries of "what do you mean it's out of stock?" which can haunt and annoy workers in equal measure.
So save yourself - and workers - the stress and get your shopping done early.
Boxing day sales and refunds
Boxing day sales are now as much a part of the festivities as Christmas day itself.
Whether it's queuing from 5am on boxing day for the best bargains, or preparing a list of things you've had your eye on all year - everyone eventually can't resit the sales.
Spare a thought for the workers trying to mark down products quick enough so you can see the price, before the inevitable 'is this in the sale?' question is asked for the hundredth time.
The big day is barely over before people are looking for sale bargains for the following christmas. Either that, or returning the unwanted gifts received this year.
Party season and sore heads
There is no hangover quite like a retail worker hangover.
The bright lights, Christmas Music and endless stream of customers is enough to put anyone off a Christmas tipple.
A sore head is nigh on impossible to deal with when working in retail.
After one too long shifts many workers will tell you - it is just not worth it.
The customers
They the customer is always right - but around the festive period, they're also always stressed.
Christmas brings out both the best and the worst in people - and nobody can vouch for this more than retail workers.
Between excitable children, and trying to get all the preparations finished on time it's no surprise that customers are more tense than usual.
While there is usually more staff than ever working the busy period, there never seems to be enough pairs of hands to meet all of customers wishes.
Be patient with workers, they're usually trying to help in situations out of their control.
The camaraderie
Whilst working in retail at Christmas can be awful in so many ways - there is a certain camaraderie that comes with it.
Oddly, Christmas eve is often one of the best shifts around the Christmas period.
Whether it's excitement for the big day (or a rare day off), the team are always in good spirits.
Workers usually bring in snacks, the Christmas jumpers are worn with pride - and once the doors are closed, and the lights are off, workers are happy to head home and enjoy the festivities.
