Since our Halloween plans remain up in the air, and also because certain people are now in high school, and dressing up isn’t the coolest thing, my kids are looking ahead. The changes in Pennsylvania’s hunting season and the fact that we’re not going to be leaving our houses, again, also put the kibosh on any extravagant Thanksgiving trips, like we’ve tried for a few years. So, naturally, the next thing that has my kids preoccupied are their Christmas lists.

E spent most of one day last week laboring over a notebook. I was hopeful that she was really committing to her required journal projects, but no, she covered three full pages with “ideas” for Santa. It was also written along the lines of “what I really want is a unicorn, but if that is not possible, I will be happy to accept a pony.” I told her that she gets an A+ for her creative writing efforts, but I don’t know that Santa will be as impressed. Since we’re still adapting to life with a dog, I told her she’d better not get her hopes up for any additional living things, either.

Most of E’s list is full of items like glitter and slime and many other things she knows I would never in a million years buy for her or bring into my house willingly, so she completely takes advantage of Santa’s generous nature and capitalizes on the fact that Santa repeatedly ignores my memo of “no teeny, tiny, messy stuff that’s going to get all over the house.”

A isn’t taking any chances. He created a Google doc, complete with links to everything he wants for Christmas. Everything has been carefully researched and the lowest prices have been found. I know this because I get email notifications when the document is updated, and he is thoughtful enough to keep a running total at the bottom of the doc, and that number has been trending downward on a weekly basis. I definitely think Santa is going to be really happy about how tech savvy A has become and may well reward him for his thoughtful organization. Since a few of the items that A wants are only available in the U.K., (and as such, I’m assuming beyond the skill set of the elves?) he has even provided shipping dates to make sure Santa has everything in time for Dec. 25.

I’m definitely a little sad that he has taken such a pragmatic approach to Christmas. He has grown up a lot in the past year, and becoming an educated consumer is just part of that process. I’m sure that Santa will pull a few tricks out of his bag and there will still be a few surprises under the tree.

And, that brings us to G. G is taking the daring approach of claiming that he no longer believes. He has even gone so far as to write Post-it note lists of two items: socks and underwear. When he was younger and questioned Santa’s existence, Uncle J warned him that when you no longer believe, all you get is socks and underwear. Since we didn’t do our annual back-to-school shopping this year, which is when I usually replenish the sock and underwear supply, we may be heading into a more critical situation regarding those two items by December.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Santa was more than happy to help us restock. G is also hoping that after delivering his musky mount from the taxidermist last year, that maybe Santa can negotiate to get last year’s bobcat mount back this year. Since it is the season of miracles, we will have to see what happens.

Of course, we can’t forget about Duncan and TacoCat. I’m pretty sure Taco’s most fervent wish is that Duncan accompanies Santa right back to the North Pole, but she’s probably going to have to settle for some new toys and a box of cat treats. I’m not so sure Duncan will be speaking with us after E’s Halloween plans for him. Since we aren’t going to be going to any parades this year, and even trick or treating is in question, she is determined to make the most of her costume in house, and from what I’m seeing in my Amazon searches for dog costumes, Duncan should be a little concerned. I’ve seen an awful lot of pink tutu and sparkly unicorn themed items. I guess since she’s pretty sure she’s not getting a unicorn for Christmas, she’s going to attempt to make her own for Halloween. At any rate, I have a feeling my biggest Christmas concern with Dunc is going to be keeping him from watering the tree constantly.

It’s nice to have some traditions that COVID won’t touch. Today, the boys started rehearsing Christmas carols for band. It made me realize that I don’t know if we will be safe or comfortable going to Christmas Eve services, but with three semi-accomplished musicians in the house, we won’t lack for the songs of the season. We will certainly be heading out to harvest our tree, and decorating the house. We’ve certainly gotten very good at staying home in our pajamas this year, so maybe this year, instead of that being our cherished go-to activity on Christmas Day, we may get dressed up for no one but ourselves, just because it will be fun and different.

I wish I could be more optimistic that the holiday will finally bring with it the ability to gather with family and visit friends’ houses, but as our local case numbers start to creep up, I think it’s time to lower my expectations and plan for the reality.

Maybe this year, I will get what I want for Christmas and that is snow, snow, snow, all winter long. Since most of us are already staying home, this year would really be the year to have a ton of snow. I know I’m in the minority and the Wonderful Husband is already reminding me that someone’s going to have to shovel it (that’s why I have kids!) but why not?

Just the thoughts of cross-country skiing, sledding down the hills, and cups of hot chocolate around a toasty fire have me giddy and looking forward to something, which is a nice replacement for the despair that I’ve become used to feeling over these past few months.

Liz Pinkey is a contributing writer to the Times News. Her column appears weekly in our Saturday feature section.