Have you gone shopping recently (with holiday music on repeat throughout the store), and later found yourself humming a holiday tune in your kitchen? Have you thought about what you will wear to your annual holiday work gathering? Whether you observe any of the upcoming holidays or not, our society has made them a part of life. And, you tend to get involved somehow, whether it’s in adopting the positive spirit of the season, contributing to food or clothes drives, or by delving in to prepare the meal and gathering with family or friends to celebrate.
With Thanksgiving soon approaching, and December’s religious holidays following suit, it seemed the right time for Princeton Perspectives to focus our issue on Getting into the Holiday Spirit, No Matter What You Celebrate.
To do so, we started with our community, asking locals, what they are most looking forward to for the holidays? Thanksgiving is closest on people’s minds, and they are excited about it. Watch this month’s Pulse of Princeton video to catch a bit of their energy.
While we normally think of positive spirit around the holidays, it can also be a difficult time for many. Whether you are ill or have lost a loved one, gathering can take a mental and emotional toll. This year, once again the celebrations fall at a time when life isn’t going on as normal in many parts of the world. In the article, How to Celebrate When the World is at War, we hear from locals who are directly impacted and gain some advice on how we can allow ourselves space to celebrate.
Ironically, many of the season’s holidays came about because of war or fighting – whereas the holidays embrace the survival and advancement of a people. Four holidays within a two month span use candles and other lighting to observe, so we gathered some local experts to share with us what they mean. In The Lights of the Season and What They Represent, you can learn more about your neighbors and friends.
One of the joyous ways that people spend time through the remainder of the year, is by indulging in music, theater and other activities and events. Holiday Happenings that Entertain and Others that Give Back shares a glimpse into what is taking place in our area, so that you can plan ahead.
And of course, “the giving season” as this time of year has been called, is a time where organizations often see people donate two times more than they receive throughout all other months. Wanting to make sure everyone has what they need is an innate part of being human. One of our area’s largest organizations works towards this, and you can read about it in Giving of Your Time or Money Can Have Big Rewards.
Speaking of giving money, you may have to pay more towards taxes next year if the upcoming Princeton Public Schools referendum passes. The original idea has been broken down into 3 parts. You can read the latest details in this month’s Perspectives Revisited. We also share about the most recent natural area to become public space, so you can spend the holidays traversing some new trails!
With all its joys, the holiday season can still be hard. We hope this issue helps you realize you are not alone and provides you with ways to see the light and look forward to what’s to come.
Lisa Jacknow spent years working in national and local news in and around New York City before moving to Princeton. Working as both a TV producer and news reporter, Lisa came to this area to focus on the local news of Mercer County at WZBN-TV. In recent years, she got immersed in the Princeton community by serving leadership roles at local schools in addition to volunteering for other local non-profits. In her free time, Lisa loves to spend time with her family, play tennis, sing and play the piano. A graduate of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, Lisa was raised just north of Boston, Massachusetts but has lived in the tri-state area since college. She is excited to be Editor and head writer for Princeton Perspectives!