December rings in the holiday season in Newtown, eliciting excitement.

We celebrate the season with immediate gratification this coming weekend, all of our senses awakened by the sights and sounds of festivities.

The Ram Pasture Tree lighting brightens the meadow on Friday evening. Following swiftly are Saturday and Sunday tree lightings in Sandy Hook and Hawleyville.

Saturday morning adds to the spirit of the weekend. The Rotary Club gets cooking with its annual Pancake Day at Edmond Town Hall, from 8 am to 1 pm. Stop by for an early breakfast (and musical entertainment) before joining crowds eager to see the handiwork of the Garden Club of Newtown (and meet local home decorating guru and author Nora Murphy) within the historic walls of the Newtown Meeting House beginning at 9 am — or dine later in the morning.

Gift books and more are at the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library holiday sale this weekend; your support helps our library while it helps you come up with a perfect gift for those on your holiday list.

The Saturday events are only sampler for the weekend’s headliner, though.

Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS) once again hosts the Holiday Festival in town this Sunday, with wonderful offerings to raise your holiday spirits, and adding to their coffers, as well.

The Holiday Festival is one of the largest fundraisers for NYFS each year, with proceeds from ticket sales benefitting this very worthy organization.

NYFS support and resources include mental health/addiction counseling, group therapy, parenting, psychiatric services, and case management services. NYFS offers support during Parks & Recreation camps, to staff of Newtown schools, and provides a student assistance counselor, as well as programs intended to create positive outcome for individuals and families. Programs teach social and employment skills and help people of all ages and needs make connections within and outside of our community.

Riding the trolley and touring homes on Main Street gives participants a taste of Newtown’s history. The Festival of Trees at the library; a Kids’ Tea in the Alexandria Room; the Peanuts gang; dance and music; and maybe spotting Mrs Claus, Rudolph, — or Santa, himself — are just a start to the fun. These and more are included in the ticket price of $15/ adult ($8 per child), or a family ticket for $30. (Advance tickets at Newtown Savings Bank Main Street and Sand Hill Plaza locations; C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street; and NYFS, 15 Berkshire Road; or during the festival.)

We are too aware that the need for services offered by NYFS has increased in recent years. Whether you or someone you know has been helped by NYFS, or not, it is a resource to cherish, there for all when the need arises. Supporting NYFS allows this organization to continue its mission of providing counseling, financial assistance for counseling and programming, and expanding programming to better serve residents.

It is a season of growing and giving, now and for the future. Embrace the joy.