Allow me to be the millionth person to tell you this—we’re living in strange, strange times. We’re going on month nine where all anyone talks about is the pandemic, and it’s not coming to an end yet. Yes, there are amazing new developments around vaccines, but the rollout is going to be slow. The earliest experts predict that socializing in large groups might return to some semblance of normalcy in Summer of 2021.
You know what’s happening before that date? Christmas Day.
Health experts are predicting a long, rough winter in terms of the current health crisis, and that’s intensified by people gathering with family during the holidays. Just today, the New York Times warned that one of the most important things we can do to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe this winter is to try to eliminate spending time with others unmasked in indoor spaces.
That’s a tough pill to swallow over Christmas. And there are ways to gather safely if you take serious precautions. One of our writers recently moved in with her parents temporarily so they could quarantine together over the holidays. But that’s just not feasible for a lot of us.
Feeling isolated during the holidays sucks. It just does. But you’re not actually alone. So if you’re one of the many who are spending Christmas this year without seeing your extended family or friends, here are some tips to make the holiday just as magical as if you were crashing in your old twin bed at your parent’s house. Or maybe even more.
Try Out Some Just-For-You Decor
Yes, Christmas decorations are nostalgic by definition, but don’t let the fact that you’re not going to be sitting around your family’s tree (or having a large gathering around your own) keep you from going all out with the decor. In fact, this is the perfect time to try something new.
Get a tree that’s almost too big for your place. Or a few small ones! Craft a garland out of pom-poms, or baked orange slices, or popcorn and cranberries. Use way too many twinkle lights. Hang ornaments from your light fixtures and kitchen cabinet handles. Go as gaudy, or kitschy, or monochromatic, or minimalistic as you like.
And then broadcast it all over Insta if you want to, but don’t feel pressured. The whole point here is to make your home into a winter wonderland that’s entirely you.
Channel Your Inner Domestic Goddess
Your mileage may vary on this one, but if you’re someone who looks forward to cooking during the holidays, don’t let this year’s weird Christmas festivities stop you!
Cook something magical that you’ve been eyeing on Pinterest, but you know wouldn’t please everyone you’d typically cook for. And relish in the leftovers. It’s built-in meal prep!
Get a small turkey breast for one or two, or finally try out that recipe for the best roast chicken ever. Make your favorite sides that you only get once or twice a year. Either the fancy version or the tried-and-true nostalgic ones in all their cream of mushroom soup glory. (For me that’s green bean casserole. My husband doesn’t like it and on Thanksgiving, I made it just for me! Muah-ah-ah!)
And pies! Make pies! Turn regular sized ones into hand pies if you want to cut the serving size, or JUST MAKE ALL THE PIES. Pies for dessert. Pies for breakfast. Pies to drop on your friends’ doorsteps. Pie is never a bad idea.
Keep the Movie Marathon Going
For lots of us, Christmas doesn’t feel like Christmas without our favorite movies. If that describes you, don’t skip this particular tradition. Take it to the next level.
First, get your lineup figured out. You’ll want your tried and true favorites, but maybe mix it up a little bit. Something classic, something cheesy, something non-traditional, and something new to you. For me, my Christmas movie list must contain Muppet’s Christmas Carol, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Nightmare Before Christmas, and Die Hard. There are a ton out on Netflix right now, and if you’re a Hallmark movie kinda gal, there are plenty of those to choose from as well.
To make the night(s) extra special, get into full movie theater mode. Pop some popcorn, grab some candy, pour yourself a tasty beverage, and turn the lights out. You can go full-on “no cell phones allowed” or get creative and watch with your friends or family online. You’ve seen these movies a million times before. You can handle some chatting.
Send Christmas Cards
You know what I wish had made more of a comeback during the pandemic? Snail mail. I love getting real mail. And sending Christmas Cards is a tradition that needs to find its way back into our lives.
And yes, I realize that the tradition isn’t completely dead. I guess I’m talking more about those of us who don’t have annual professional photoshoots of our babies and/or haven’t gotten married within the last year. Everyone needs to get in on the action. Have fur babies? Take some goofy pictures of or with them and get them printed. Don’t want to do the photo thing? Etsy’s got some adorable options. Just send the snail mail love.
Exchange Gifts Over Video
For a lot of us, the loneliest part of being away from loved ones on Christmas is not being able to gather to exchange gifts. So if that’s a tradition you still participate in with your family, do what you can to make it just as special.
Actually gift wrap those presents (or, you know, have Amazon do it for you), and schedule a time on Christmas Eve or Day to open them together on a friends and family Zoom call. Sometimes the best part of a gift exchange is seeing someone’s reaction when they open them up.
It might not be exactly the same this year, but there are plenty of ways to make this Christmas one you’ll never forget. For good reasons.
