5 Ways to Stay Sane, Yet Festive, This Quarantined Holiday
A holiday season, 2020 style, is sure to be filled with new traditions, few to no Christmas parties, and less time spent with loved ones.
As it may also feel like the most nostalgic time of year, avoid comparing this year’s celebrations to last, because as we know, nothing is the same as years past.
This new month has the potential to make up for the past nine of this pandemic, and quite frankly, can be an excellent start for a redeeming 2021. The holidays are often some peoples’ favorite time of year, COVID-19 has taken a lot from us, but festivities do not have to be one of them. Keep reading for a few ways you can stay sane yet festive, this quarantined holiday.
Check out your local light show.
Grab your holiday mask, your winter coat, and a cup of hot chocolate (Bailey’s optional) to walk around your neighborhood to see the Christmas lights! A perfect activity for families with kids to get out of the house and burn off that cooped up energy.
Don’t forget to search your state to see if any towns/cities are organizing a drive-through light show like this one at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA! (this time, leave the Bailey’s at home).
At-home activities you used to have no time for.
With most of us still working and going to school remotely, take advantage of the time you save from having no commute to do the little activities you used to have no time for. Some may include:
Cooking a holiday recipe
Making gingerbread houses
Decorating cookies
With fewer ‘co-workers’ or ‘classmates’ around, crank up that holiday playlist!
A ZOOM party, but make it a cool ZOOM party.
Zoom fatigue is real. But with COVID-19 numbers continuing to rise, the best way to see your friends and family outside your bubble is through video. Instead of the awkward happy hours, try giving them a theme.
Holiday cocktail tutorials
Gingerbread house/cookie competitions
Virtual cooking class (adults and kids!)
Go all-out on decorating.
I guarantee you all have that one person in your life that goes crazy with decorating over the holiday. Well, what better time than to be that person. With celebrating being mainly confined to your place this year, you might as well make it the most festive it has ever been. There is no denying that holiday decorations bring that homey feeling to any space. Don’t break the bank either. Check out a few affordable stores below.
Marshalls, TJMaxx, Homesense, Walmart, HomeGoods, Christmas Tree Shops, Target, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Joann’s
Don’t underestimate your ability to make decorations either!
This link gives you 31 ways to make homemade decorations, perfect for any holiday theme you’re going for.
Make the presents.
Gift-giving can be quite expensive and stressful for everyone this time of year. Although it may be easier to go to the mall and run your credit card, why not try to make some yourself? Blankets, candles, even wall décor can be costly at retail stores. There are tons of easy ‘homemade’ tutorials online to follow, like this candle making one from Sunshine Soap and Candle Company or a chunky blanket on YouTube. Start a new hobby and share that product with friends and family!
There is no denying that the holidays are going to feel different, but that’s just it. We have all adapted time and time again this past year, so why not use this holiday season as a celebration for all we have accomplished!
With the large majority of people wishing 2020 would just end already, there’s one more month to make this somber year a little happier. Make it count, you’ll never forget it.
Danielle is currently a Clinical Research Specialist with the Division of Sports Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital. She is also a licensed and certified Athletic Trainer with her Master's degree in Exercise Physiology and Sport Sciences. Danielle was born and raised in the outskirts of Boston and loves exploring the city, especially the food and workout scenes