Life feels so complicated right now. At a time of the year when all we want is to feel joyous, we can’t help but struggle this year. Dinners are downsized; shoppers bustle through websites instead of stores; and huddling close with kith and kin, one of the best things about the holidays, is basically banned.
Still — and stick with me here — the holiday season could be a time when simplifying things might not be so bad. It’s a few weeks out of the year when, despite the rush, we try to slow down, take a step back, and enjoy those things in life that make us truly joyous. For most of us, that includes appreciating our family, celebrating our faith, marveling at nature’s beauty, helping others, and taking even a few hours to remember hope and believe in the goodness of humanity.
While this holiday season might lack winter fests, church services and full family parties, take a bit of time to enjoy one of these simple seasonal pleasures we’ve wrapped up, using holiday songs for inspiration.
1. “Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck Berry
On Dec. 15, take a self-guided tour on the Holiday Lights Ride through Homewood and Flossmoor, sponsored by GoodSpeed Cycles, 2125 W. 183rd St. in Homewood. Start any time from 5 to 7 p.m. with a walk up the red carpet at GoodSpeed Cycles to show off your winter fashion and holiday gear, and pose for a glamour shot. Then ride with your own group along GoodSpeed’s marked route that features a curated selection of “the brightest, the most sophisticated, the campiest and most bizarre holiday light installations.” Expect to ride up to 9 miles.
2 “Merry Christmas, Baby” by Otis Redding
By now, many people are Zoom experts, so why not use those video chatting skills for fun instead of business with a Virtual Christmas Cocktail Party. Host it by dropping off premixed shots at your guests’ houses. Try polar bear shots, a mix of 1 oz Crème de cacao, 1 oz peppermint schnapps; holly jolly Fireball shots; or Jell-O shots with Rumchata or eggnog.
3 “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey
Despite this year’s uncertainty, one thing’s for sure: Santa Claus doesn’t take a year off. Send your wishlist to the big guy with the Village of Flossmoor’s Letters for Santa program. Through Dec. 18, drop off your letter in the mailbox outside of the main entrance of Flossmoor Village Hall, facing Flossmoor Road. Then a village representative will ensure the letters are delivered to Santa at the North Pole.
4 “O Christmas Tree” by Ernst Anschütz
This Christmas season, Flossmoor Community Church is on a mission to make the holidays brighter through its Operation Under the Tree. The church will launch initiatives throughout the month, inviting the congregation and community to respond to the needs of Bethel Family Center and Jones Community Center. The first two initiatives support remote learners at Jones Memorial Community Center with headphones, seating and supplies. Learn more at fccfaithful.org/advent2020.
5 “Joy to the World” by Isaac Watts
The Village of Flossmoor brings joy to the world of its community with a Holiday Lights Parade at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 11. Featuring decked-out vehicles from the village police and fire departments, the parade snakes through Flossmoor, reaching every neighborhood with flashing holiday happiness. The parade starts at Flossmoor Road and Central Park Avenue, snakes around neighborhoods throughout town, and ends in downtown Flossmoor.
6 “We Three Kings” by John Henry Hopkins Jr.
Grab a couple of buds or head out solo for Dude’s Shopping Day on Dec. 13 at Loulou Belle boutique, 2049 Ridge Road in Homewood. The event includes simple shopping, cold beverages and complimentary gift wrapping. Noon to 4 p.m.
7 “Silver Bells” by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans
The phone is ringing, Santa Claus is calling for you! Since we can’t sit on Santa’s lap this season, he’s meeting with boys and girls online. That’s right, Santa is one tech-savvy elf, and he’ll be around for Zoom Calls with Santa, offered by the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District on Dec. 8, 9 and 10. Calls will be a maximum of 15 minutes per family, from 5 to 7 p.m.
8 “Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane)” by Gene Autry
H-F Park District has found out that Santa Claus will do Driveway Visits for very good girls and boys from Dec. 14 to 17. Grown-ups must sign up for this program, which costs $15 and is for H-F residents only. You can take a physically distant photo with Santa, as well!
9 “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” by Bruce Springsteen
If you typically love trucking fun stuff up to donate to Marine Toys for Tots, try doing it online this year. You can shop from among a selection of toys, sorting by age, and donate by dragging your toy into the virtual toy box. At the Toys for Tots website, you can also donate by credit card or request a toy for a child in need.
10 “The Nutcracker” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Have you ever marveled at the mechanics of the common nutcracker? A simple lever, often decorated like a toy soldier’s mouth, allows you to smash open a tough nutshell. If someone you know loves science, go holiday shopping for STEM-related toys from the Homewood Science Center. Check out the website at homewoodsciencecenter.org. All purchases benefit HSC.
11 “Sleigh Ride” by The Ronettes
Bundle up the family, yourself or the dog and drive around to look at holiday lights and decorations. Local favorite destinations include the Dartmouth Road area of Flossmoor, where the streets are covered in a canopy of white string “Crazy Lights.” Flossmoor Community Church should have an impressive display, too.
12 “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” classic Christmas carol
Homewood and Flossmoor may not be located in the Holy Land, but many residents revere their hometowns and hold them close to their hearts. Show love to the H-F community this season by shopping at our local independent businesses. Follow each town’s business association on Facebook for great holiday treat ideas — and don’t forget gift cards!
13 “Frosty the Snowman” by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys
You can paint a picture of a snowman, winter scene, Santa, sassy elf and more with a class at Bottle & Bottega. Prices are about $40 per person for the socially distanced casual art classes in Homewood’s downtown area. Events are BYOB, so bring a little holiday cheer along with you.
14 “Light One Candle” by Peter, Paul and Mary
This year Hanukkah is from Dec. 10 to 18. Each night of Hanukkah, members of the Jewish faith around H-F will light one more candle on the menorah. Look for the large lighted menorah that appears annually in Flossmoor Park to celebrate Hanukkah.
15 “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Judy Garland
You can truly help a family have a merrier Christmas by volunteering with Greater Chicago Food Depository, which needs volunteers to repack food, with spots open up until Christmas Eve and throughout December. Volunteers must meet health requirements and wear face coverings. Food is delivered to local south side communities and pantries.
16 “Jingle Bells” by The Singing Dogs
We must pay homage to the barking version of this holiday classic to tell you about the Virtual Holiday Bazaar benefitting South Suburban Humane Society. The market, with handmade crafts and gifts, runs from Dec. 1 to 14. You can also donate to SSHS and receive gifts such as a personalized thank-you, cat calendar, a video message from Santa Claus and his crew, and even a live chat with Old Saint Nick.
17 “Silent Night” by Joseph Mohr
Help a family find peace this holiday with a donation to South Suburban Family Shelter, which helps those affected by domestic violence. SSFS consistently looks to stock its pantry with non-perishable foods and toiletry items; and sometimes has specific requests for its clients. Call the office to coordinate a donation drop-off, or use the locked drop box outside SSFS’s office that is checked daily.
18 “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” by Darlene Love
Grab a travel mug and go for a cold stroll to take in the sparkling sights of the Homewood Ice Sculpture Walk beginning on Dec. 13. Around the village’s downtown shopping district, you’ll see a collection of six professional creations carved out of solid ice.
19 “A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives
Go ahead and have a cup of cheer! And drink it from the 2020 Homewood Holiday Mug, on sale starting Dec. 5. A limited number of mugs are available. They cost $5 and you can buy one, cash only, at many Homewood businesses.
20 “Do You Hear What I Hear?” by Bing Crosby
Answer the call of Respond Now, which is asking for donations of gift cards. The Chicago Heights-based agency assists families in 22 area suburbs, and they need gift cards to buy holiday presents for their youngest clients.