The holidays are a busy time. A special insert in Sunday’s Journal-World offered a list of many community events between now and Christmas.

Many of these events are long-standing local traditions. It just wouldn’t seem like the holidays without KU Vespers and other special musical programs, various holiday gift and craft fairs and one-of-a-kind events like the Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade.

A number of events honor the holiday spirit of giving by combining fun activities with fundraising for local social service agencies that depend on the community to support their important work. Also in the coming weeks, local residents will have many opportunities to support those efforts directly through donations of food and gifts to brighten the holiday for people in need.

Lawrence is fortunate to have many beloved holiday traditions. Amid all the activity, we should all remember that giving to others less fortunate is the most important tradition of all.