We’ve been working hard here at the Homer News, putting out not just this issue, but our super-mega-ginormous 50th anniversary edition, publishing Jan. 1. If you see one of us wandering around with a deer-in-the-headlights look, we’ve just stared down an 18-wheeler truck and jumped off the highway at the last minute.

Huh. Sort of like you, you mothers and fathers of small children, you cops and firefighters, nurses and doctors, booksellers and art dealers, teachers and coaches, pastors and social workers, bartenders and cooks, bus and taxi drivers — all of you who work and pull together a holiday.

You’ve cooked, baked, knitted, sewn, shopped, wrapped, rolled and totally rock. You’ve carried on the traditions that make these holidays so wonderful. And now it ends. We can relax the next two weekends and enjoy the quiet and calmness of the New Year and do … well, not much at all. As Homer knows, January is the slowest month, and about time, many of us say.

So Happy Hanukah, Happy Solstice, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza, and Happy New Year. There are just a few more things to do, like these Best Bets:

BEST ALMOST TOO LATE BET: Did you forget to wrap one last present? Not to worry. From 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Christmas Eve at Ulmer’s Drug and Hardware, the American Legion Auxiliary does gift wrapping. Donations are welcome to support veterans programs. 

BEST SING AWAY BET: Most local churches have Christmas Eve services tonight. Catch Faith Lutheran Church services at 6 p.m. at Christian Community Church and 8 p.m. at Faith Lutheran, and at 6:30 p.m. at Homer United Methodist Church. Jubilation! Bells Choir plays at the Methodist Church (see story, page 1) followed by Vheneka Marimba, so the music will be cool there. Check with other churches for times and places.

BEST YOUTH VS. EXPERIENCE BET: Sure, those old guys have slowed down, but they have the benefit of wisdom. Will it be enough? Check it out in the annual Mariner-Alumni hockey game, when the Mariners take on the alumni team at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Kevin Bell Ice Arena.