-- And with them, the usual holiday features and crowds of folk in newsrooms across the country taking vacations.
Some holiday tips for desk people who remain:
1.) Retain the sense of humor. At some point, actual news will begin to happen again.
2.) Keep the standards high. Folks might let the Christmas spirit inspire them to be a bit too free with the adjectives.
3.) Don't resent the rest of the world. Impress it. All those people lounging around at home will get the chance to read your headlines more closely than usual.
4.) Read up on your Christmas fact and fiction. Snopes, as usual, has the scoop. (You might want to turn off the music.)
5.) I find that wearing big, red, fuzzy Santa hat keeps the world in balance.
Any other suggestions?