During the holiday season, numerous families and friends come together to celebrate by participating in holiday traditions together —baking, decorating, gift giving or watching holiday movies— or by simply seeing each other on the holidays.

The holiday activities and traditions bring people together, uniting them with the holiday spirit as families are spending more time with each other and enjoying the activities, bringing one another closer sharing laughs. Helping decorate the Christmas tree or enjoying a hot cup of hot cocoa also brings people together, giving them that holiday spirit that only comes around once a year.

Around the holiday season, numerous companies or families can be seen donating to charities helping this holiday season, uniting everyone together, even if they’re strangers. The Salvation Army donates money to families in need and Toys for Tots is always accepting donations. To find more information on how to donate to others this holiday season, look into local donation centers and what they would like to be donated.

Some towns have parades or festivals to celebrate winter and the upcoming holidays. Locally, Fenton has a holiday parade with floats and Santa Claus waving at children. Nationwide, parades like the Macy Day parade pull in millions of views each year. Parades pull in townspeople to spend time together, causing unity, and celebrate the holidays. 

New Year’s Eve parties and other holiday celebrations allow friends to join together in celebration of the year ending and a new one starting, meaning new goals and not knowing what may happen in the future. Some even create goals or resolutions for themselves for the new year, make up personal ones or share some with friends as a group goal. 

Although family get-togethers may have been limited or cancelled for some, it is still possible to celebrate with family on the holidays while in guidance with CDC guidelines. Even with the pandemic taking place, holiday unity and cheer is all throughout the nation as even the little things can bring people together.