It would be naive for us to think that the 2020 holiday season will be the same as in previous years. Some have lost loved ones, jobs, and we are all feeling a lack of connection to our friends and family. Although most of us will not be celebrating like we would like to, there are a few ways we can still stay connected and make the most out of this season.
- Help Everyone Set Up Their Video Platform
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One benefit of the pandemic occurring when it did is the technology that we have is readily available. The physical distance may be great, but the connections between friends and family do not have to be severed. Technology, we all know it can have issues and can be hard to set up for people who aren’t familiar with video calling. Call parents and relatives to help them set up video platforms such as Skype, FaceTime, and Zoom. Spending time before the holiday to make sure they know how to use it will save time and stress when you try to get the whole family on a Zoom call for Christmas Eve Dinner. Everyone will be able to enjoy seeing and talking to family in real time rather than worrying about technical difficulties.
- Have a Holiday Happy Hour with Friends
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Even if your friends are coming back home from their respective schools, keep each other and your families safe by having virtual hangouts even when you live nearby. Each of you can drink hot chocolate, bake cookies on video together, and watch holiday movies through an app such as Teleparty and catch up with each other!
- Schedule a Virtual Event for the Holiday
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The CDC and other health organizations are strongly urging against travel and large gatherings during the holiday season. You may normally travel to your hometown, see your grandparents, or have a large family dinner… this season, think twice before putting yourself and others at risk. For family dinner, find a time and set up an event in an app like Zoom and send that invitation to anyone who usually celebrates with you. This is a great option because it includes people who may not have been able to join in the past. You can have a quick meeting to see everyone or leave it on while everyone eats at their own house to make it feel like you are all in the same room.
- Handmake Your Presents This Year
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For an inexpensive but really sentimental gift, try DIY-ing or handmaking presents. This year, you can show that you are thinking about them and took the time to make them something special. Although normally people want new high-tech products or an expensive piece of jewelry, with many people experiencing financial hardships, this may not be an option. There are many DIYers on YouTube that make high-quality pieces that don’t require spending more than $10. Check out Lone Fox, XO, MaCenna, Love Create Celebrate, and Liz Fenwick DIY for easy DIY projects that make great gifts!
- Take a Break and Practice Self Care
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Actually take a break. This year has been stressful and many of us have been struggling, trying to stay afloat during online/hybrid classes. This break is finally the moment to sit back and breathe. Watch holiday movies, watch Netflix, talk with friends, take a relaxing bath, or spend time on TikTok without feeling guilty! Take time to reflect on this year, and set some goals for next year. Really focus on going into the next year with a good attitude. We don’t know what 2021 holds for us, just like we didn’t know we would be in the middle of a pandemic this year, but we can control how we respond to our challenges. Going into 2021 already hating everything can make little occurrences in 2021 cause you to hate the whole year and wait for 2022. Taking a break will not only make the holiday season more enjoyable, but it will make life more enjoyable for you.
This year we have two choices: to be sad wanting things to be like they used to be or to take advantage of the situation and do all we can to make the best of it. Choosing the latter will help all of us enjoy this holiday season and help boost our moods in a time when we need it the most!