This year, the most wonderful time doesn’t feel like a winter wonderland. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa: canceled. But if you are open to a different type of holiday, one that doesn’t revolve around parties and shopping and concerts, you may rediscover the true meaning of the holidays. Every year from Thanksgiving through New Years I hear my family and friends saying “I just wish I had more time.” Guess what? Your wish has been granted.

There aren’t (or shouldn’t be) any parties, no concerts, no big outings. But this year I get to watch all of my favorite holiday movies with my family. We are usually busy wrapping gifts and packing to travel after the New Year. Last year we couldn’t even make time to watch It’s a Wonderful Life. No one in our house had time to make our favorite Christmas cookies. We can eat dinner together every night. It isn’t the usual holiday, but if you look for things to do and ways to celebrate, you will find them. When asked about how her holiday season with her family has been going, chemistry teacher Sarah O’Brien said, “We did the drive through light show at the riverfront, that was really good. I went hard with the Christmas lights this year; I think we are winning our block.” Instead of thinking of all of the things that can’t happen this year, think of the things that you can still do to make the holiday season special. O’Brien also said, “All I really care about is that the kids have a good time and they seem to be having a blast.”

This year, when families are struggling to pay rent or feed themselves, focusing on gifts under a tree or next to the Menorah doesn’t feel right. Luckily there are ample opportunities to get out into our community and help others. The Delaware Foodbank is open and passing out food. Emmanuel Dining Room and Mom’s House are always taking donations. Maybe you know someone who has been sick or lost a job. This year “Secret Santa,” could mean dropping off a meal or helping a family who has been sick. 

If you can’t see your favorite aunt or uncle this year, you can do a Zoom cookie bake. You tell your cousins what cookies to bake and they instruct you on your baking endeavor. This is the year to break out Scrabble, Monopoly, and Clue. Get more sleep. Read a book. Instead of thinking of the end of 2020 as holidays that are ruined, perhaps we should think of this as an opportunity to get back to the true meaning of the holidays: time with our families, a spirit of giving, and a time to give thanks for all of our blessings.