There’s no denying it. From now until the ball drops on January 1, we are in the midst of the 2014 holiday season. Watch as Main Street lights up, making the season bright, a tradition of many years. Isn’t that what the holidays are about? Tradition. From the first bite of the turkey to Auld Lang Syne, those of us who are fortunate follow tradition with family and friends.

Narrowsburg tradition begins with caroling and tree lighting on Main Street, Saturday, November 29 at 5:30 p.m. Come early for a “pumpkin fest bake sale,” and have a treat while the festivities unroll. Santa will make his first Narrowsburg appearance about 6 p.m. Continuing with tradition, on December 6 at 8:15 p.m. Santa will glide onto Erie Street on the Santa Express. And don’t forget to look up for the star. Although most of us are busy trying to keep up with our own traditions, we need to take a moment to thank all those who work so hard to make our Narrowsburg traditions a reality. Thank you!

Let us also remember the less fortunate whose traditions may not hold as fond a memory as ours. Giving, if done properly, brings joy to those who give and those who receive. Here are a few ways to make that happen and have your gifts go to someone in our local neighborhoods.

1. Purchase a child’s gift whose age is identified on the Giving Trees. Trees are found in Peck’s and the Catskill Hudson Bank. Make sure the gift is new and unwrapped.

2. Reward yourself and bring an unwrapped gift to the Narrowsburg Inn on Saturday, December 13, 7 p.m. You will receive a light buffet and desserts by those “Baking Bankers” from the Catskill Hudson Bank. That’s quite a reward.

3. Donate food. There are several ways. You can double your donation by purchasing food at Peck’s and leaving it in the barrel in the front of the store. Peck’s will then match your gift, be it pasta, peanut butter, pickles or anything. Our local churches will also accept food and children’s gifts. All food donations go to the Ecumenical Food Pantry serving the congregations of Narrowsburg and Lake Huntington.

Perhaps you know of other ways to make the holidays brighter for the less fortunate. If so, just do it. You will feel the spirit and they the kindness. Can’t get better than that.