Ready or not, the holidays have arrived.

To be honest, I fought for years to keep November for Thanksgiving, with Christmas cordoned off to December, but that’s a losing battle. Plus, these days, the months fly by so fast, it’s just silly to only give myself a few weeks to shop for gifts.

That’s especially changed as I’ve realized how perfect local art markets are for presents—and I’m not just saying that because I work at Revue. When I buy something handmade by a local artist or craftsperson, I can be 100% confident no one else at the Secret Santa will have a duplicate. It just shows a level of care that goes beyond the shelves of Target. 

But there are all kinds of gifts, and our Holiday Gift Guide explores a wide variety, from cooking and hobby classes to vintage stereos, collector’s items and clothes. 

Of course, this season has a lot more going on than just shopping, and that’s where our guide to experiencing the holidays comes in. We have dozens of events over the next two months, including everything from a festive Cirque show to classic holiday film screenings and magical walks through the woods lit by Christmas lights. 

If you instead celebrate Hanukkah, there are admittedly fewer events in West Michigan specifically for you, but you’ll likely relate to the funny and heartwarming Coney Island Christmas, now at Jewish Theatre. 

However you celebrate the holidays, the important thing is to get out and enjoy the increased focus on community. Something about this special season opens hearts and minds—it’s the best time of the year to make a new friend!

'Til next time,
Josh Veal, Managing Editor