Come this time of year, Stuck’s Law applies. You know Hudson Stuck, right? Climbed Denali. Mushed 10,000 miles. That guy. As he said, “At 50 below zero it’s all right if it’s all right.” It doesn’t take much more than a few days in single digits and The Snowfall That Ate Diamond Ridge for things to fall apart.

And the Betster isn’t talking just broken snow shovels, frozen pipes or stuck zippers. Those are just things. Things can be repaired or replaced. What of our delicate social institutions — families, schools, businesses, governments? In these dark days and cold nights, well, sometimes things don’t always work so well.

So maybe you’re overworked. Maybe you’re stressed. Maybe you’re looking at 23 shopping days until you-know-when and you’re thinking, “Whoa, slow down.” It’s the paradox of the season. December should be a month to grab another blanket and sleep in. Only there’s so much to do.

Well, criminy. Here’s the cool thing about this month. It can’t get much darker than this, and maybe it won’t get much colder. Celebrating major religious holidays around the solstice makes a lot of sense because, yo, Betsteroids, here in the north latitudes, the sun is coming back. Grab those little rays of sunshine and hold on. It’ll get better.

So, sure, grab some retail therapy, but also think of those who have greater needs than finding the perfect Christmas gift. This weekend it’s Homer for the Holidays, and what better way to start the season with some of these Best Bets?

BEST GO AHEAD, TUG HIS BEARD BET: The guy with the red suit and the fluffy white beard who appeared at the Pratt Museum last Saturday just might be the real Santa Claus. Ya never know. Santa Claus has adjusted his personal appearance schedule to light the Christmas trees in Homer and Anchor Point. The tree at WKFL Park goes on at 5:30 p.m. Friday and the one at Chapman School goes on at 3 p.m. Sunday. At both events there will be refreshments and music.

BEST MUTANT RATS BET: The Betster’s favorite scene in the Nutcracker ballet is when that nine-headed King Rat rappels down from the loft. Those rats are scary, but the dancers are pretty easy on the eyes. Yes, it’s the 17th annual production of the classic. Opening night is at 3 p.m. Saturday, with shows Sunday and next weekend. See the calendar for performance times.

BEST NO FOWL BET: Just because it’s called a Turkey Shoot doesn’t mean actual turkeys will be shot — or darted. Fear not: it’s just a contest at the annual Share the Spirit Turkey Shoot at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Duggan’s Waterfront Pub. Try your hand at darts and maybe win a turkey. Money raised goes to help Share the Spirit, Homer’s annual holiday charity. Can’t make the Turkey Shoot? Check out Town Crier for other ways to give Share the Spirit a hand.

BEST ART, ART AND MORE ART BET: What with First Friday and the Nutcracker Faire, this is the weekend to find original, handcrafted arts and crafts in this town. Yet another new art venue opens this weekend with the Old Inlet Print Shop downstairs from Bunnell Galley, and of course all the usual galleries have openings. From 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, the Nutcracker Faire runs at the Homer High School. Oh, and you can see Santa again (and have your photo taken) at the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic’s booth.