It’s true- Christmas season is among us, despite it being November. One good thing about the coronavirus pandemic has been the attitude toward celebration; people everywhere have been looking for reasons to celebrate whatever and whenever they can. Luckily, the long-lasting back-and-forth of when it is proper to start celebrating the holidays will not be as heavily disputed this year. It is time to start looking for ways to extend the Christmas season for as long as possible.
In the past, when to start playing Christmas music has been a hot debate which often occurs at the beginning of November. Some people like to blare “Jingle Bells” in their car on the first day of the month, while others refuse to play any Christmas music before Black Friday. This year, if you start playing your favorite holiday album, on November 1, the lack of judgement should be no surprise.
It’s also no secret that traditions will be affected by the strict pandemic guidelines being out into place. However, instead of not continuing traditions altogether, modify them if possible so you won’t have to skip a year. Or, if you want to get your creative juices flowing, you might start a new tradition that can be Covid-friendly while still following safety protocols.
Ever since I was a young kid, my family has gone to watch the Christmas Tree lighting event at the Boston Public Garden. Families would gather everywhere you looked, all watching the performers, the fireworks, and the beautiful tree that would light up at the end of the night. Afterwards, we would go to the Taj Hotel to see the annual giant Gingerbread house that would be displayed in the lobby while sipping on hot chocolate from the stand next to the light display outside. This year we will not be able to do that, but that does not mean a tree lighting cannot occur. Anyone can have their own tree lighting as a finale to their decoration session. All you need is a few family members (or friends), a tree, and a string of lights! Music is not a necessity but would brighten the mood of everyone involved!
One topic that consistently keeps coming up is how to celebrate while still social distancing. Although this can be hard depending on where you live and the temperature outside, it can still be possible. A tree lighting is just one way to celebrate Christmas this year in terms of being able to social distance; think: individual cookie decorating kits, self-supplied gingerbread houses, and zoom Christmas movie sessions. All you need is access to the zoom app, and in some cases, a large room big enough to distance and decorate!
Baking Christmas cookies is a tradition among many families and groups of friends. Because you are dealing with food, it is a good idea to bake in separate ovens unless you live in the same household. If you can distance and take turns using one oven, be sure to use your own oven glove and clean surfaces as frequently as possible. The good thing about baking is that the heat from the oven will kill germs in the process of creating something delicious.
Decorating gingerbread houses is an easy way to have social distance fun. If you bring your own house and supplies, make sure to sit in an open area where you can spread out your work. It may be hard, but not sharing your gum drops or icing pen with your friends will make the activity a lot safer.
Remember Free Form’s “25 days of Christmas?” This year multiply that number by two and start in November. Christmas specials and movies are one of the best ways to celebrate Christmas in a fun, accessible way and the amount of them that exists is next to endless. Try watching something you have never seen before or have only seen a long time ago to gain a second opinion. You may find you like “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” a lot better when you are old enough to vote.
Christmas is the happiest season of the year. With all the delightful scents, tasty treats, and merry music, you are sure to still have a great holiday if you try. And these strategies can be applied to all of the other holidays celebrated by persons all over the world including Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Years.