Not sure what to add, so how about something like:

"This year has been rough, but despite everything we are still here. So hey! Let's eat and laugh like there's no tomorrow as we prepare for the next year. We got this!"

For the sprite, i'm mostly okay with whatever. Though make sure to give him green clothes and medium lenght hair. Not sure how hard it would be to add a green hat, so you can ignore that if necessary.