Written by: Niki Connor: Counsellor, MACP, RPC, BA Psyc
Woah! Ok, so the 2020 Holiday Season is likely to be one that we won’t forget.
For some, there are usually traditions of big family gatherings and extravagant social events that they will be missing. For others, this time of the year can be challenging anyway. But this year for all, we are forced to explore the season in a very new, unfamiliar and different way. A lot of changes have happened since March and we are ALL finding ways to adapt. I love to see how resilient we are as people.
When I was growing up, I asked my mom the inevitable question - “Is Santa real?” Something I had to ask because some other kids at school had the NERVE to tell me that Santa wasn’t real, and it was just our parents who ate the cookies, drank the milk, and put the presents under the tree -which swayed my trust and faith.
My mom would always answer the same way - “As long as Santa is in your heart, he is real.” I like using this tried and tested parent go-to as an analogy for the 2020 Holiday Season. As long as you keep the spirit of the Holiday Season in your heart, it will be there, no matter the circumstances of the year.
It might just be a little different. Can you get on board with different? I have some suggestions for how to keep the magic alive.
Decorate. Decorate. Decorate.
If decorating for the holidays is typically something you you do each year, then do that. Decorate as usual, or go big and do even more this year. If decorating is something you’ve always wanted to start doing, then 2020 is the year to start doing it. I bet you even have the time for it now too.
This will provide you with a sense of accomplishment, give you that festive feeling and shift the energy in your space. All good things - who doesn’t want that festive feeling? And remember, it’s never too late to decorate. It can even be a fun Christmas Eve activity so you can enjoy it all Christmas Day.
2. Check Out Other People’s Decorations
Need something to do? In the evening, get in the car, grab a hot chocolate and drive around your community to see what other people have done to add festive spirit to their homes. Seeing Christmas lights is often very uplifting and it’s a fun and safe thing to do this year with the members of your household.
You can even get friends/family to go in their own vehicles to make a caravan adventure out of it. Walkie talkies anyone?
3. Create New Traditions
Does your usual holiday routine look like the chaos in Four Christmases or are there activities you ALWAYS do with your Aunt/Uncle/Grandparent/Friend etc? Well this year, get creative and create new memories! This also an opportunity to embrace the fact that you might not have to do all the things at once. Slow down, take your time and enjoy trying some new things this year.
4. Use The Power of Technology
Let’s all take a moment to silent thank the creators of video conference. We live during a time that being physically apart does not mean that we can’t connect. It just means we have to rely on video chats instead of in person meetings.
Maybe you make your own traditional meal while your loved ones do the same, all over video chat? You can even eat it together too. Use video chat to see your friends open their gifts or share a glass of wine together Christmas Eve. The possibilities are there, they just look a little different.
5. Plan Lots of Outdoor Activities
Go snowshoeing, skiing, walking, sledding or build a snowman.
Make it interesting by dressing up in a theme, like Ugly Christmas Sweaters or favourite Frozen character (mine is Olaf!) These are things you can still do to stay connected in meaningful ways, but not right inside someone’s bubble.
6. Bake Christmas Goodies
Maybe baking is something you already do a lot of or maybe it’s not. For me, I love baking but I often lack the time to do it, especially during this time of the year.
But not this year! This year, oddly enough, there seems to be ample time to try some of the recipes I have been eager to try. Bake away and leave some goodies on your loved one’s doorsteps to brighten their day. Nothing feels better than sharing the joy of baking at Christmas.
7. Find Ways to Spread Cheer
You guys, Buddy the Elf says that “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Ok, I LOVE the movie Elf but I’m only half joking here. Finding ways to spread joy is inevitably going to bring you happiness too.
So what can you do this year that will share a little of the spirit you are feeling inside? A few ideas: handwriting holiday cards and putting them in the mailboxes of people you love or appreciate, donating to local organizations that help people in need, shovelling the driveway of your neighbour or dropping off coffee and doughnuts to a place that helped you out over the year.
There are so many ways to share and give and it will probably feel good for you too. And isn’t that what the Christmas Spirit is all about?
Some final thoughts…
Leave it to a pandemic to shake it up a bit. Listen, I know this year isn’t easy for anyone, the wave of feelings might be rather uncomfortable and these ideas might not be right for you. Please feel free to share any ideas you have or what is happening with you and your family, as many others might just benefit from what you’ve decided to incorporate in your life this holiday season!
Please share this post on Facebook and tag all the friends that might need some fun ideas to keep the spirit alive this year. Things are a little different but we can always help one another out. We’re in this together.
Happy Holidays!
