This year most of us will be looking at an unusual, simple and challenging (depending upon your perspective) holiday season. If you have school age kids, or you are very sentimental it may prove difficult to keep the holiday spirit fun and festive. This is expecially true when we are separated from friends, family and are unable to participate in our usual traditions.
To start the festive train rolling and make these tough times still feel special, I would suggest planning some fun in advance. Print out a blank calendar (or use one you already have) and start talking about what new traditions you can add, what you can keep, or just tweak a little this year. Start placing these on the calendar. For some reason, just putting it down and having it to look forward to boosts everyones mood (kind of like looking forward to a vacation). You could even add pictures for the younger ones.
Here are a few traditions that we have at our home just to get you started:
- Cooking together. Each person comes up with their own dish or appetizer for the meal.
- Decorating the table with the kids or letting the kids do it!
- Game night or day! Ok, if you are like us there are some competitive people (me), or poor sports. If things get heated, time for a break and have a marshmallow fight – so fun and therapeutic! It seems to cut the tension.
- If you have younger kids, another fun thing to do in the house when it gets dark is hide and seek flashlight tag!
- Take a long walk or a drive to look at holiday decorations and lights. We usually do both. When we pile in the car, we have our popcorn and hot chocolate and put on the Christmas music!
- We choose one night to order out at everyone’s favorite place (or make at home) and then set the table fancy and have a candle light dinner (tons of candles). We have done this since the girls were little and they love it!
- The ole’ Elf on a Shelf can be lot’s of fun too! Get creative.
- Watch Christmas movies while decorating the tree.
- Make Christmas cookies and goodies! If you are competitive, make it a contest (older kids) post your prettiest cookie and have family and friends vote. We did this with coloring when the pandemic first hit and everyone had fun with it.
- Slumber party in the living room with all of us and the dog after the tree is decorated. We usually open 1 gift prior to Christmas on this night.
- If you know someone who is alone – Call them, Zoom with them, Send art work and cards. Put on a mini concert or talent show for them!
- Writing down and sharing gratitudes and sending to those who are alone are also great ideas!
Whatever your traditions are this year, make them extra special! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL AND TO ALL STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY!