A British man who has famously celebrated Christmas every day for the last 22 years is finally ending his marathon of holiday merriment.
Electrician and musician Alan Park began his daily ritual in July of 1993 after an impromptu faux Christmas celebration left him feeling so good that he decided to do it again the next day and then every day after that.
His strange obsession with the holiday has earned him the nickname 'Mr. Christmas' from the British media but the constant revelry has taken its toll on his savings, health and social life.
Park estimates that, all told, the 22-year-long Christmas party has cost him an astounding $3 million dollars to maintain.
The daily Christmas celebration includes a full turkey meal, presents for himself, and champagne to toast the annual holiday speech from the Queen, which he has recorded and dutifully plays at the precise time that it would normally air on Christmas day.
His home is also decked out year-round with Christmas decorations to maintain the festive mood.
As might be expected, his strange daily routine has left him single for the last 22 years and has cost him jobs, since he has opted to stay at home to celebrate the 'holiday' rather than miss the appointed time for the Queen's speech.
At long last, after an impassioned plea from his daughter, health concerns from his doctors and a crippling effect on his finances, Park has decided to end his incredible streak.
December 26th will be the last celebration for Mr. Christmas ... until 2016, of course.
Source: The Mirror