How we love our holidays! With the holiday season being one of family gatherings, feasting, and gift giving, it’s more than a bit discouraging to think about not being able to celebrate them like we used to due to covid restrictions. If you’re going to travel and have family get-togethers this holiday season, go to the Center for Disease Control for their guidlelines.
If you or your loved ones are at high risk of serious illness with the coronavirus, you will need to find alternate ways to make the holidays special. I have collected articles and ideas for making the holiday season as special as possible. Dig in:
Practical Tips For Your Holidays
Planning
- Grab a piece of paper and do a brain dump. Divide the paper into sections for each holiday that you will be celebrating. Write down everything that you want to do for each holiday coming up. Include a section for any tasks that will need attention before the end of the year.
2. Evaluate your list. What is doable, and what isn’t? Take into consideration your energy levels, how much time you have, how much help you have, and your finances. What is the most important thing about each holiday that you don’t want to do without?
3. Eliminate anything that requires more energy, help, time, or money than you have available. For example, if you’ve always made 5 types of Christmas cookies, and this year you don’t have the energy or money to do so, change your plan. Either don’t bake as many kinds, or find a local bakery or cookie swap to do the baking for you.
4. If possible, delegate tasks to family members. For example, if your children really want 5 kinds of Christmas cookies, if they’re old enough to help in the kitchen, put them to work. Then you can sit and give directions. Or you can buy pre-made cookie dough, so the children will have the fun of cutting out, and decorating cookies without all of the work of making them from scratch.
5. Alternately, friends and neighbors can also help each other celebrate the holidays. Especially if you live alone.
Cleaning & Prep
6. Consider using disposable plates/silverware if you do not have family members willing to wash dishes.
7. It’s possible that you or a loved one may become sick just before or on the holiday. Read this post on how to manage this situation ahead of time, so you are prepared. https://www.upbeatliving.net/thanksgiving-holiday-with-sickness/
8. If you’d like some help with pacing as you get ready for the holidays, The FlyLady currently has a set of emails she is sending out with cleaning tasks to do little by little. She also has a Holiday Control Journal with tips for keeping track of everything and not getting overwhelmed.
Selfcare Tips
9. Don’t forget to keep up with your self-care routines! Take time each day to rest, drink water, take your medications, etc. After all the holidays are no fun, if you’re frazzled, stressed, and flaring.
10. Finally, please do not go into debt! Debt is stressful!!
Enjoying Holidays By Yourself
If you won’t get to be with family this year, because you’re high risk for getting seriously ill if you get covid-19, you’re probably stressing about feeling lonely. These three articles contain some tips for dealing with loneliness.
“Let’s get this out of the way first: Being alone over the holidays doesn’t mean you’re unloved or failing at life. Connecting with people in person is tough right now, and seeing loved ones — especially those who live far away — might not be an option. So, as the holidays inch closer, it’s understandable if you’re anticipating feeling lonely.”
2. “One of the most difficult parts of social distancing and self-isolation is the prolonged physical separation. As lockdown continues we miss the hugs. We miss physical touch. And it’s especially hard for those who are quarantining alone. As these feelings of loneliness and isolation grow, Iceland has responded by encouraging people to hug trees.” Personally, I’d rather hug the giant red, stuffed panda that was gifted to me by my son and daughter-in-law for that purpose.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/icelanders-hug-trees-curb-covid19-isolation
3. Have something to look forward to, like these random day celebrations. For example, November the 13th is World Kindness Day.
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/
Thanksgiving
“Thanksgiving is usually the time of year where family—immediate, distant, chosen members—come together to celebrate one another and all that they’re thankful for. With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting how we gather this year, though, the highly celebrated holiday will look different for most households.” 8 Ways To Celebrate Thanksgiving Safely And On A Smaller Scale This Year
“It’s so easy to focus on what we can’t do right now. But many aspects of the holidays can still happen just as they always have.” Can We Still Safely Celebrate Holidays? Yes! Try These Ideas
Christmas & December Holidays
I’m considering trying some new traditions, and foods this Christmas. I figure the holiday season is already weird, why not take advantage of that and try something new.
- Looking for fun activites, and information about Christmas Traditions Around The World, plus Holidays like Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa? This site will get you started: https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/
This site also has some great printables, and even an online Advent calendar. You can decorate a tree online, build a nativity online, and so much more. Even if you don’t have children, entertain your inner child!
2. Don’t forget to Google holiday recipes from around the world. You just might find something that becomes a new favorite at your home. I’m leaning toward making some Mexican food for Christmas.
3. “Who says you need to leave the house to have a day full of cozy, creative activities?” 20 Festive Quarantine Christmas Ideas for a Holly Jolly Holiday
4. Looking for Online/Zoom Party Ideas, check out this webpage: 22 Virtual Christmas Party Ideas in 2020
Holiday Gift Ideas That Won’t Break The Bank
Since many of us are strapped for cash this holiday season, I’ve included money saving ideas for you.
How To Have A Fun Frugal Christmas “Christmas is fun and one of my favorites! But it’s also one of the most expensive ones especially if you’re not careful. This doesn’t mean to say, however, that you can’t have a fun Christmas if you’re on a budget.”
Save Money on Christmas Presents: 10 Free and Low-Cost Gift Ideas “Whether times are good or bad, Christmas can be hard on any budget.”
24 DIY Christmas Gifts Your Friends and Family Will Adore! “If you love getting your craft supplies out, then you’re going to love the handmade gift ideas I’ve found for you today!”
Wrap-Up Of Holiday Ideas
Well, that’s my Holiday Guide for making the most of the holidays this year, even though things will be different because of the pandemic. I hope you got some ideas and inspiration that all is not lost this holiday season.
Also, please help me keep this blog up and running. Even a couple dollars will help. You can donate here: https://ko-fi.com/upbeatliving Thank you!
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Till next time, stay safe, Kathy