Even though we’re likely still full from our Thanksgiving dinners, the holidays are just beginning.

That means another month — or more, if you count all the way through New Year — of festivities. And I plan to make the most of it right here in Vicksburg.

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year, and I find myself looking forward to this Christmas season more than most because I’m staying put! I’m going to spend Christmas right here at home by myself, but don’t waste a minute feeling sorry for me! I’m going to be home, not out fighting traffic on the road or in an airport. I’ll be at my house, which I may even decorate this year.

I’ve been threatening to get a real tree just so the cats can enjoy it, and this year may be the year that happens.

We have a number of younger staffers at The Post whose families live elsewhere and I’m going to work on Christmas eve and Christmas day so they can do the traveling to spend time with their families.

Many others did the same for me through the years, and I’m happy to do it for them this year. Brandon will be headed to Florida, Courtland to Alabama and Rob to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Christmas and the days surrounding it are usually slow and laid back — though I may have just jinxed that.

I’m looking forward to being in Vicksburg over Christmas. My plans include attending the evening service at Christ Episcopal Church on Christmas Eve. I hear the music at that service is wonderful and I can’t think of a better way to end the night and to begin reflection on the meaning of the most holy of days.

The rest of Christmas will be blissfully plan-free. I’ve always been surprised a bit when I hear people talking about how they don’t like to be alone. I’m not one of those. Long ago, I learned to enjoy spending time by myself. And you’d be surprised at just how much company pets can be.

After work, I’m looking forward to cooking something wonderful and watching as many football games as possible. If that doesn’t do it, I’ve recorded about 12 Christmas movies from the Hallmark channel to get me through.

While my Christmas is likely less complicated than most, I hope your Christmas plans become so overwhelming that you can’t find time or reason to enjoy them. Sometimes less is more. I’m hoping that proves to be true for me this year.

Jan Griffey is general manager of The Vicksburg Post. You may reach her at jan.griffey@vicksburgpost.com.