FORTUNE -- The holiday season is upon us. Parties are in full swing and magic is in the air. But you may want to think twice before you fill those stockings to the brim because, come January, a job you may have no more. To many, New Year's signifies a renewal filled with great reflection and hope. But while you are reflecting, your boss has been procrastinating. He's put off giving you the pink slip in lieu of that holiday bonus you were expecting. As someone with 10 years of experience working in corporate human resources, I can tell you it's never fun being the person who has to deliver the bad news to an employee. I find it appalling and insulting that leaders wait until after the holidays to give their employees the scoop, "Your job is being eliminated" or "Your performance isn't up to snuff."