As you read this, Christmas day has likely passed, but the family parties, and hopefully the joy and celebration of the season continue. Although we can all imagine what the Hallmark version of this looks like, there are many variations of Christmas tradition that make it special for each person or family. When the question is posed about what Christmas is about, we can likely rattle off some common answers such as faith, Jesus, family, gifts, love, traditions, to name a few. These are all things that have potential to bring an abundance of joy and meaning. Unfortunately, finding joy at Christmas can also be a complex experience as many of the same things that bring joy can be the cause of stress and pain, diluting our joyfulness.

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Families across South Dakota will be receiving a free turkey ahead of the holidays, through a partnership of Team Buche Cares and G.F. Buche Co. 100,000 pounds of turkey will be distributed to 121 communities, including all nine South Dakota tribes.

The South Dakota Board of Regents announced the expansion of the Gateway Certificate Program, aimed at giving students an advantage in university-level academics and career exploration. This program is specifically designed for high school students taking dual credit courses, ensuring they engage in career-focused coursework while earning college credits. Having introduced the Gateway to Education certificate in August, the Board has now approved three new certificates to introduce students to career paths in agriculture, engineering, and business.

Travel South Dakota is excited to release six additional episodes of the popular Travel South Dakota Stories Podcast series. Building on the success of the initial three episodes released in 2023, the new installments feature more inspiring stories and local perspectives, offering listeners a deeper dive into the state’s wonders.

Every year, I am always blown away by the decorations at the South Dakota State Capitol. Volunteers decorate dozens of trees and decorate the whole Capitol in a theme. This year, the theme is “Through a Child’s Eyes,” and everything is larger than life to make you feel like a little kid again. If you’ve never experienced Christmas at the Capitol, I would encourage you to do so before the season is over – the last day to see the trees is December 26.