The year 2020 has ushered in a new normal, and the holidays are no exception.
Whether people are forgoing annual trips to see extended family or taking precautions that add a layer of social awkwardness to getting together, this is a strange holiday season for many.
In this year’s special Celebrate section, we look at holiday traditions both new and old, and offer some local gift and recipe ideas.
We finish the section with a nod to holiday seasons past, including memories and photos from people around the greater Capital Region.
Now more than ever, take care of your mental health
Traditions
Solstice celebrations in Capital Region honor brighter times ahead
Foss: Believing in the magic of Christmas, now more than ever
Festive museum exhibits continuing throughout the Capital Region
On with the shows: There are still holiday performances to see and hear, outdoors or online
The roads less traveled: COVID leaves huge hole in Capital Region holiday racing schedule
Local finds at the Vischer Ferry General Store.
Gifts
From unique to quirky, shopping local in Capital Region has its perks
Capital Region artists continue to create new music
Saratoga ‘Packages’ put local products on your porch
Classic game gets local flavor with Saratoga Monopoly
Getting crafty: Capital Region artisans offer unique creations
Rotterdam artisan weaves treasures from Georgia pine needles
Staffers at Capital Region bookstore offer their literary picks for the holiday season
Tom Krause, left, owner of Krause’s Homemade Candy on Central Avenue in Colonie, and an employee pour a fresh batch of marzipan onto a cookie sheet in November.
Food
Capital Region restaurants prepare diverse range of menus for Christmas dinners to go
Cocktails, mocktails help kick up your scaled-down holiday season
Rainbow cookies conjure memories of ‘family, love and joy’
One meal, two cultures: Family honors Italian and Slovak roots every Christmas Eve
For many, Christmas Eve still means fish
Season stirs warm memories of soup, sweets
Vegetarian, vegan dishes maintain ‘nostalgic feeling’ of holidays
Kwanzaa celebrations going virtual, but recipes keep with tradition
Emilia DiCarlo, 4, of Breeman Street in Colonie, gets a hug from Santa Claus on Dec. 19, 1982. Santa and his frosty friends visited Colonie Village to prep people for the holidays.
Memories
Magic moments: Readers share their favorite holiday memories
Coal for Christmas? It can happen
Christmas meant additions to miniature world
More from The Daily Gazette:
Wednesday morning fire displaces six in Schenectady
Two Cuomos running for office. Neither is Andrew
High schools: Waterford-Halfmoon advances in Section II Class C girls' soccer tournament
Police: 'Disturbing video' leads to severely injured person in Schenectady; Multiple detained
Ballston Spa mayor quits, questions colleagues' priorities; Village lawyer also resigns
Categories: Celebrate, Life and Arts, News