8 creative ways to enjoy the 2020 holiday season

This Holiday season many of us are feeling underappreciated, overwhelmed and fighting off the blues (or more). Parties and gatherings are canceled, families aren’t able to see one another and that festive feeling just isn’t in the air. So, what can we do to make sure this year isn’t a complete “write off” and make memories that are filled with love and hope.

Check Yourself Before Your Wreck Yourself- Remember, there isn’t a recipe guaranteed to create “holiday magic”. True magic always comes from within. If you are stressed and unhappy and constantly comparing yourself with the next person….you are guaranteed, CoVID or no covid, to have a rubbish holiday. Step away from the stressor, take a deep breath, give yourself a reality check, and ask yourself will this matter in 5 hours/weeks/months/years?

Create a COVID Family Tradition-

This doesn’t mean a twist on an old favorite, this means creating something completely brand new. Outside of the box thinking is what is needed here people. COVID has rocked our world so this new tradition needs to match the “nuttiness” if possible. Get the kids involved in creating this new tradition or make it a surprise, each family’s situation will be different.

Some possible things to do:

Sing-a-long- Send out an invite to your neighbors and set a time and date to have a Holiday sing-along outside. You don’t have to literally sing yourself (awesome if you have a talented neighborhood to do that) just blast the music from a speaker.
Santa’s Delivery- Many families are unable to spend the holidays together but it doesn’t mean the dropping off of gifts can’t be fun. Maybe this year you dress up as your favorite holiday character as you head to your loved ones home.
A New Dish for Dinner- Most of this year has left an awful taste in our mouths so why not come up with an unconventional dish to add to the holiday meal. Maybe it’s an upside down pineapple cake to remind you of a tropical place, or you look-up a traditional dish from your ancestry that you’ve never tried before. Or, maybe this year it’s hotdogs over an open fire or pizza delivery.
Rewrite the Lyrics to a Holiday Song- Have some fun with this! Reflect on the year and what’s been happening in your family. Depending on everyones age, maybe everyone writes a verse. It’s like a mad lib for the mad year we’ve all endured. Or you could focus on the blessings you’ve been able to see in the silver lining of restrictions and pandemic living. Then bring out this song and sing it every year after.
Volunteer- Nothing gives you the holiday “feel good vibes” more than spending a day volunteering to help someone in need. Since we don’t have parties, why not use that time/money we would have spent, to volunteer/donate together with your family? Write letters of support to healthcare workers. Make a meal to give to a neighbor in need. Shovel walks, drop off cookies, etc. Pick charities and pool your money to offer a large donation in the family’s name.

Express/Set Realistic Expectations- Slow down. Take a deep breath. You aren’t responsible for the happiness of every single person in your family. Often, the “job” of creating that magical “holiday vibe” comes from one person in the home, sometimes two. Either way, if one or both parents are completely depleted of internal resources things are gonna go south quickly. Make sure to remind yourself that this year will NOT look like other years, for good or bad. And let your kids know this as well. Yes, even little kids.

How you present this year to your children will set the stage for how they respond to the changes. Say things like:

I know this year isn’t like others and that’s disappointing. However, it doesn’t mean we can’t make this holiday magical. What is something you’d like to do (within COVID guidelines) that would bring you peace and happiness. (You’d be surprised how many times children just want 1:1 time with parents without distractions or devices.)
Darling, Santa has been very busy this year and has had difficulties like the rest of us getting stuff done. Some of his elves have caught COVID and he just isn’t going to be able to bring all the gifts like he has in the past. This doesn’t mean you did anything wrong and it doesnt mean Santa is hurt. It simply means everyone has been impacted by COVID, even Santa. He still loves you and knows you’ve been trying hard.

Do Something JUST FOR YOU- Mom/Dad/Guardian, remember, you can’t offer support when your bucket’s empty (poor diet, in need of sleep, super stressed, in need of alone time etc). if you don’t periodically find time to decompress that pent up energy/emotion will bubble up at unexpected (and usually inappropriate) times often creating more chaos. Remember, parent’s set the tone of the house and if you’re able to find happiness and cheer your children will as well.

Limited Budget? Tell the kids Santa will be coming this year but because of COVID the gifts have to be quarantined until New Years Eve Day. This will help you get more bang for your buck in the sales.

Create A Covid Competition- This can be done with family and friends near and far. Set-up a group email/text/FB group/website etc. and challenge each other to come up with the best Covid-CockTail (or mocktail) and the best Covid-Casserole. The winner gets a trophy. (You can have different categories so 2020 can have a few more wins for some of us.:))

Go Ahead and Set The Table- Just get the tablets and screens ready! If you are able to set a time for everyone to eat a meal and place the phone on their seat. Obviously if the screens are small it might be hard to see.

Create “COVID THE CREATURE” Then Destroy It New Years Eve- Go around the house and gather found items that you can use to create a tangible “creature” that represents the stressors of 2020. Empty toilet paper rolls come to mind as something that may be handy. Then once you’ve created it you destroy it. This is cathartic and offers a way to find closure on the year.