The holidays are going to look a little different this year. Many of us didn’t see extended family and friends for Thanksgiving and most likely will not be able to do so for the winter holidays. Even though we recognize the importance of staying safe, having to make changes to your usual plans is difficult. You’re prepared to make sacrifices, but maybe it feels like the holidays are going to be a little dull this year. Fortunately, social distancing doesn’t have to stop you from having fun. You can keep yourself and your family safe without having to give up all of the things that you love about the holidays.

Celebrate Virtually

Everyone has become an expert in Zoom and other video tools this year. While it’s possible to consider a small gathering during the holidays, with CDC best practices in place, a lot of traveling or big gatherings are not a good idea. If you’re trying to stay as safe as possible, virtual gatherings are really the best choice. They enable you to see and talk to your loved ones to have fun and share each other’s company without having to meet in person. With the right tech, you can even sit and eat “together”, as well as playing games and enjoying plenty of chat and laughter.

Enjoy Time with Your Household

This year is a great time to make the most of being with whoever is in your household. Whether you live with your family or you have roommates, you might be spending the holidays together without seeing anyone else. So why not think about how you can make your time together special? Maybe you can get together with your roommates to cook a special meal. Perhaps your family can plan some fun new activities, which could even become new holiday traditions.

Enjoy Time with Your Household

Connecting with your friends and neighbors is a little harder this year. You might also be worried about vulnerable neighbors but unable to see them because they’re sheltering. Why not consider arranging to safely exchange gifts and food with people? You can arrange to leave people a gift or a dish to enjoy, delivering it in a way that doesn’t require contact with them. A pollyanna gift exchange could be fun to plan, or you can make sure to deliver homemade holiday cards to everyone on your street.

Shop Online

While you might enjoy mall shopping most years, this year it’s better to stay inside. You can still buy everything that you need by shopping online and having things delivered. If you want to support your local community, try looking for local businesses that sell online. Whether you find local crafters or food producers, you could find some gems that you ordinarily wouldn’t consider. You’ll still get to have your holiday fun while staying safe at the same time.
Don’t let COVID-19 ruin your holidays. You can stay safe and have fun at the same time. You may just have to find the joy in new and creative ways. If you are struggling to get there, talking to a therapist at Bridge to Balance can help.