If I could work my will, nephew, every idiot who goes about with “Merry Christmas” on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.” — Ebenezer Scrooge

It’s officially the holiday season and while most of us are (fortunately) less bitter than Mr. Scrooge, wanting to get away from it all is actually a fairly normal reaction. I love Christmas in theory, but in practice the packed shopping malls and obnoxious Christmas music usually have me saying “Bah, Humbug!” halfway through December.

If Ebenezer Scrooge were alive today, he’d probably apply for a fast passport and cool his heels somewhere far away until the holiday season is over. If you want a ticket away from all of the hustle and bustle that is Christmas-time in America, you have several possible choices. For example, according to this article on NewsChief.com, a winter cruise is a great way to escape. Since decorations and dinner are handled for you, you get the best of the season without all of the work. The article quotes Ben Carpenter of Winter Haven, Florida, who says “The holidays are the best time to take a cruise. I’ll golf on four islands this season and share festivities with brand new friends each year.” While it’s certainly not a miserly way to celebrate the holiday, it isn’t traditional, either.

Or, you could go a step further and go somewhere where Christmas is not celebrated at all. Over at AlmostFearless.com, Christine Gilbert is spending the holidays in Thailand. She writes:

“If you travel to the other side of the world, the holiday season means absolutely nothing. That’s all it takes. A move to another country, another life, and suddenly, that big-deal-holiday that you’ve celebrated every year of your life evaporates. It’s gone. “

For me personally, Thailand sounds particularly inviting whenever I’m out and about and hear those annoying “Alvin and the Chipmunks” Christmas carols.

But if you want to escape the holiday madness, you’ll need to get a fast passport if you don’t have one already. Normal passport processing takes about 6 weeks, while expedited service through the Department of State takes 2 to 3 weeks. For truly fast passport processing, you have two options: make an appointment to apply in person at a Regional Passport Agency office, or use a passport expediting company like RushMyPassport.com. Let us handle the appointment with the passport agency for you, and you’ll have more time to do last-minute shopping and send out cards. Just try not to gloat about spending Christmas, lest your Christmas Eve pad Thai turn into the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

Need a fast passport for the holidays? Let us help!