Celebrating Christmas 2020 Style!

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The COVID-19 pandemic is this year’s version of the Grinch, but way nastier! Coronavirus has indeed impacted our Christmas traditions this year, and the joyous spirit hasn’t hit us quite yet. However, we needn’t feel totally down and out.

If you are struggling to find your Christmas cheer this year — fret not! When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things, not the great occasions, give off the greatest glow of happiness.

We have the power within ourselves to make this Season an enlightening one. We have the power to make Christmas a memorable and a jolly occasion for everyone. Let the Christmas message remind us: we are never alone. Even when the night is at its’ darkest; the wind at its’ coldest; the world seemingly at its most indifferent — we are never alone. The spirit of Christmas always finds its way to our hearts. It turns the darkest night into a beautiful sunrise. It turns the coldest winds into a wonderful breeze of fresh air. It turns an indifferent world into a kinder and more united world.

According to the CDC, holiday celebrations will be different this year, but it is worth practicing safety and caution to protect our loved ones and us. CDC has advised that we take the following precautions: we eat holiday meals only with people in our household or we can dine together virtually; we can also host a small outdoor dinner while we keep our guest count low and time together at a minimum. Skip the potluck and use disposable dinnerware. Use separate bathrooms or disinfect after each use. Disinfect common touch points frequently. Avoid traveling long distances to attend any small gathering.

However, don’t allow COVID-19 ruin or cancel this holiday! Maria in Vancouver has compiled different ways to celebrate Christmas safely. Here are some fun tips to celebrate Christmas without cramping your festive mood and style:

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Setting the Christmas mood and tone at your home. Start decorating your home with Christmas decors. Do it with your children or loved ones in your household bubble. Start choosing your Christmas tree for this year. Let your children choose the tree! While shopping for your tree, make sure that your family practices social distancing and wears masks. When putting on Christmas lights, make it a family affair — get creative together. Make your home your winter wonderland of your dreams!

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Make your home smell like Christmas! Bake more shortbread cookies. Bake apple pies with cinnamon. Light candles with classic scents like pine trees or gingerbread and roasted chestnuts. Simmer your pot full of apple cider and cinnamon.

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Play Christmas music all day long. Create a Christmas music playlist and play it all day long! Now is the time to listen to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” on repeat.

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Watch Christmas movies during the weekends for the month of December. Make it your family’s weekend after dinner activities — watch a different Christmas-themed movie every weekend. Have popcorn and cookies with hot chocolate and marshmallows! Yum!

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Do Christmas karaoke. Make it a fun and light-hearted activity for the whole family. Dress up in your ugly Christmas sweaters or your cute Christmas pyjamas!

Make it your own carolling party at home.

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Start buying your gifts online and be mindful of the shipping and delivery time. Do your shopping from the safety of your home. Buy from Amazon, Lazada, or Shoppee. Make sure these online shopping websites can deliver your presents on time.

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Touch base with people you know who will be alone this Christmas. Christmas is about making others feel special and loved. Christmas is a tonic for our souls. It moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves. It directs our thoughts to giving. Send your friends who live alone thoughtful gifts – a handwritten card, give them a call or invite them to a virtual get together. Brightening someone’s life is what makes Christmas magical.

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Plan your holiday dinner menu and get everyone involved. Let everyone choose a favourite dish and include these dishes to your holiday dinner menu. Moreover, let everyone participate in preparing your holiday dinner menu. Make it a fun activity!

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Drive around your neighbourhood and enjoy the Christmas lights on display. One of Maria’s favourite childhood Christmas activities with her grandparents was driving around their neighbourhood to check their neighbours’ Christmas decorations and lights. This Christmas experience remains top of the chart in Maria’s heart.

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Go snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and/or sledding. Get fit and enjoy these snow sports and activities as a family. If we’re lucky enough to have a white Christmas, make a snowman with your kids!

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Read a Christmas book for bedtime. Put your kids to bed by reading them an old classic Christmas book — The Polar Express, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas Special Edition, to name a few. Maria loved reading Christmas classic books to her only son when he was a young kid!

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Do a virtual Secret Santa or White Elephant with your colleagues or friends. This year, the only way to do a safe Secret Santa or White Elephant is either through Elfster or Draw Names. These are two popular websites you and your colleagues or friends can use to virtually draw names. Both websites give organizers the option to set exclusion lists for who should not draw whom. Draw Names and Elfster also give participants the choice to create their own wish list and anonymously nudge others to ask for hints of what they would love receiving.

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Get Santa to say hello to the kids via Video or Zoom. Due to social distancing and the conditions we’re all in right now, instead of having Santa come tumbling down from the chimney — have him deliver a lovely message to the kids via Zoom or a taped video.

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Have a Zoom party with your friends and other relatives on Christmas Eve! Celebrating Christmas with your friends, relatives, and colleagues needn’t be cancelled — you can still celebrate with them via Zoom! Enjoy a drink or two (even a whole bottle — who’s counting?) with them and have a Merry Christmas indeed!

Remember that as we give presents at Christmas, we need to recognize that sharing our time and ourselves is such an important part of giving to those we love and hold dearly. Christmas is forever, not for just one day. We may put away our Christmas trees and decors, but loving, sharing, giving — are never put away — these are meant to stay in our hearts.