It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The hot chocolate is flowing, and the snow is falling. The holidays are approaching, and we know you are itching for something to celebrate. Undoubtedly, this year’s season will look a little different, as the pandemic may be affecting your typical holiday plans and traditions. But don’t worry -- we’ve got you covered with many ways you can still connect, laugh, and share holiday joy with your family while remaining safe this season.
Host an Outdoor Holiday Gathering
If you plan on hosting a holiday celebration or gathering this season, you may want to consider doing it outside. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), outdoor gatherings carry a lower risk for spreading COVID-19 than hosting people inside, where there is less air ventilation. Before hosting your holiday event, arrange chairs 6 feet apart to encourage social distancing. Fire up the firepit, warm up the cider, and tell your guests to bring a jacket and a mask. To go a step further, you can ask guests to bring their own food to avoid contamination. The CDC also states that if you plan on gathering with guests outside of your household, you should ask them to avoid contact with people outside of their households for at least 14 days before the gathering.
Attend a Virtual Gathering
The safest way to gather this holiday season is via a virtual platform, according to the CDC . Gathering with those only from your immediate household is the best way to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and keep your family safe. However, even though you may be with those outside of your household virtually, you can still share the same traditions you have in previous years. Prop up your phone, computer, or iPad to virtually eat with friends and family at the dinner table or while opening presents. You can even do things like playing virtual games such as holiday bingo or going around letting each person say what they are thankful for this year.
Christmas Lights Tour
Hop in the car with your family and ride around town listening to music, sipping hot cocoa, and looking at all the Christmas lights. You can also google “holiday lights tours and shows” in your area to find the best places to go. The best part is you don’t even have to step foot outside of your car!
Send Holiday Cards
We know that you miss your friends and family that you haven’t been able to see during the pandemic. A great way to show them you care is by sending out personalized holiday cards! Get crafty and take some family photos and create your own cards. It’ll be a fun activity for the family and will show your loved ones you are thinking of them.
Holiday Movie Night
Pop some popcorn and bring out the holiday goodies for a family movie night! Get nice and cozy by the fire because there are so many nostalgic holiday classics to watch. Make a day out of it with a marathon or just end the night with a special treat. Either way, this is an activity the whole family is sure to enjoy (while maintaining appropriate social distancing, of course).
Virtual Trivia Night
While socially distant, host a virtual trivia night with your friends and family for a fun way to bond. Gather questions ahead of time and form teams for a holiday showdown. To make the competition even more interesting, have prizes, such as gift cards or candy, ready for the winners.
Gingerbread House Contest
Another fun way to get competitive virtually is with a gingerbread house contest! Compete with different households of family and friends to see who can build the best gingerbread house. Decide the winner by starting an online poll with pictures of all the finished houses on your Instagram story or Facebook feed. Whoever gets the most votes for their gingerbread house wins!
Decorate Your Home
Show some holiday cheer on your front porch or inside your home with some festive décor. Your home’s appearance has a direct effect on your mood, which is why decorating is so important to your overall happiness and wellbeing. String some lights, hang some garland on the mantle, or add some new holiday throw pillows to your living room for an instant mood booster.
Make Holiday Cookies or Pies
If you haven’t already gained the quarantine fifteen, the holidays are here to make that happen. It’s the season of cookies and pies galore so embrace it by whipping up your favorite pumpkin pie or sugar cookie recipe. You’re living through a pandemic, so you deserve it.
Virtual Talent Show
The virtual games and competition ideas are endless, but a virtual talent show may top them all. Show off your skills or hidden talents with family and friends over the screen. Bonus - it may even be less nerve-racking to perform in front of your computer rather than an in-person audience!
Shop Online Deals
Due to the pandemic, Black Friday deals have already begun this year to prevent people from shopping in masses on Black Friday. Shop all the online deals from the comfort of your home, while also doing your part in helping to stop the spread of coronavirus. However you wish to spend this holiday season, we want you to be safe and take all of the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Below are some takeaway tips for staying safe this holiday season:
Wear a mask.
Stay at least 6 feet apart from anyone outside of your immediate household.
Carry portable hand sanitizer with you when leaving your house.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Regularly wash your hands for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
Avoid high traffic areas outside of your home, including restrooms and food and beverage areas.
For more information on how to safely celebrate during this holiday season, see the CDC Holiday Guidelines. These tips are provided in an effort to have a little more fun during the holidays – and during the pandemic. Please be safe and follow the CDC Guidelines at all times.