Shared memories are one of the things that make family and friends gatherings so special. In this socially distanced time, the holidays will look very different from years past. Getting together with people outside of your immediate household will be challenging, if not impossible. When you crave connections with others, thinking creatively is a good option.
Plan Ahead
Whether you are across town or across the country from those you love, it could still be difficult to see your loved ones. Planning ahead can ensure some quality time with them. Call before the holiday and invest some time chatting with relatives to find out how to make your Uncle Jim’s famous stuffing, or to get the ingredients for your grandmother’s pumpkin pie spice. Take pictures of your final result and text (or email or snail mail) them to family after the event.
If you have family nearby, but will not be together to celebrate, share food. Make a recipe ahead of the holiday and split it with nearby family or friends-potato latkes, or your favorite dinner rolls. Drop it on a family member’s porch before the meal.
Think Outside
Many towns have that one neighborhood that decorates extravagantly for the holidays. With local family, plan to drive separately through the lights and meet in a parking lot after for a hot cocoa and cookies tailgate. Each family can bring their own food and drinks, so you don’t need to share, wear masks and set up cars at least 6 feet apart,
Outdoor fire pits, a hike, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing are other ways to possibly meet people and can reduce the chance of spreading the virus. Masks and social distancing will still be necessary, depending on how close you will be to others. Think about how narrow the trail is on your favorite hike, for example, and plan space accordingly.
Connect via Modern Methods
Setup a video conference call during your celebration and share a toast, some favorite memories or a family photo. Families and friends meet up over Zoom for a happy hour, or to cook the same dish together and eat it together, virtually. Explore apps for your phone like Among Us, Jackbox.tv and Houseparty. These apps allow you to play games virtually with a group of your friends. The games are fun, and easy to learn. Set up a video conference when you play, so you can talk to each other and help out the technologically challenged members of your family.
Connect via Old Fashioned Methods
While cooking or hosting happy hours over video calls is a great way to stay connected in Corona-time, so is a handwritten letter. Take some time to write letters to those you cannot be with during this holiday season. These could be specific letters to individuals, or also consider writing a long note on your holiday cards, if you don’t usually write anything.
This is a time unlike anything we have been through, and that creates tension and stress in even the calmest of people. Finding ways of connecting with people helps us all cope and can bring a level of normalcy into our very “un-normal” lives. We could all use more of that.
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