Like a certain orange tabby, I’m going to try and keep this brief. As much as we may desire the latest smartphone, the hottest toy, or some other surprise from Santa under the Christmas tree, these are all just things. If there’s one thing we can learn from 1990’s Home Alone, it’s that the most important thing in life is your family. This includes both your literal family and your figurative family, both by blood and by choice.

This is extremely important. Will you please tell Santa that instead of presents this year, I just want my family back. No toys. Nothing but Peter, Kate, Buzz, Megan, Linnie, and Jeff. And my aunt and my cousins. And if he has time, my Uncle Frank. Okay?

Especially around this time of year, when we all feel the pressure to do so much, to give so much, to squeeze in as much as we can in these few short weeks, do your best to choose presence over presents. (Yes, I know it’s a tired cliché, but it’s absolutely true.) And yes, I also know that given *gestures vaguely everywhere*, we may not be able to gather like how we normally would. We just have to try and make the best of it. Treasure your time together, even if it’s a smaller bubble.

Yes, I realize it’s a little hypocritical for me to say this. I like shiny, new things as much as the next consumer. And, I’m known to publish the occasional holiday gift guide or two. There’s nothing wrong with wanting some new stuff every now and then, so long so long as we don’t lose sight of what is truly important in our lives. Booby traps and bottomless snacks aside, of course. And yes, even Uncle Frank.

The original 1990 Home Alone is streaming now on Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video. You can also pick grab the Home Alone DVD or Blu-ray if you’d rather own a physical copy.