Editor Letter For December 2024: Finding Joy in the Holidays.
Hear from our Editor, Jennifer McKee!
“Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand,” said Dr. Seuss.
That quote is from my favorite holiday show of all time, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” the 1966 Boris Karloff version. Don’t even talk to me about the remakes.
Every year, “Grinch” is part of my holiday viewing trifecta, along with “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Very Special Family Guy Freakin’ Christmas.” I kick off December with a slate of holiday movies, different every year, but the above three are a constant and usually viewed on Christmas Eve, or as close to it as possible if I’m out of town.
Most of us, I’m sure, know the story of the Grinch—a jaded soul who has yet to discover the true spirit of Christmas, hampered by some tight-fitting slippers and rampant commercialism. I’m sure he just couldn’t hear it over the Jing-Tinglers, Woo-Wonkers and the Electro Who Cardio Schlooks. When the Grinch laments “And then all the noise. All the noise, noise, noise, NOISE!,” it’s a moment of solidarity. Really, do the holidays have to be so loud?
Anyway, while we can’t get away from commercialism, we can make our gifts meaningful. I love to purchase presents from nonprofits and make donations in celebration of family and friends. And there are a great many to support.
You’ll find eight wonderful organizations worthy of your donations in our 2024 Giving Guide on p. 28. They support seniors, youth, pets, music, independent journalism and the LGBTQ+ community, plus help to combat and prevent domestic abuse. All worthy causes indeed.
Holiday parties are in full swing, and you better not show up empty-handed. Don’t worry, we’ve made it easy for you—head on over to our host gifts story on p. 36, where you’ll get gift ideas from local boutique owners.
Our December edition also offers the most comprehensive Doctors Issue in Central Florida, with more than 800 physicians recognized by their peers in dozens of categories, starting on p. 43. Plus, we sit down with 10 amazing local doctors as they share their most memorable moments, everything from introducing patients to pioneering new cancer treatments to finding new alternatives to open-heart surgery.
As you navigate through the season, don’t forget that many people are lonely this time of year—so drop in on that older relative or make plans with a friend you haven’t seen in forever—we all crave social connections, so spread that holiday cheer!
