You heard me right. A special time of the year no matter which holiday you celebrate. It's a time for visiting history and holiday memory lane. Thinking about your favorite times with family or a present you received when you were young and how it made you feel. Spending time with your grandparents or a favorite aunt or uncle. We have a tendency to go, go, go and with all the news settling down, maybe, just maybe it's time to slow down and take it all in. There is a reason for everything happening and we as individuals sometimes simply need to be; humans being. Feelings during this season may be the best RX we can prescribe for ourselves.
Making memories
We still need some holiday magic and love. Now more than ever, we need to support each other and do what we can to keep the spirit of the season alive and well. It is imperative that we find creative ways to do it safely and responsibly.
Here are some of my favorite ideas for staying festive and healthy this year:
Zoom Parties
Zoom has helped us stay connected during this crazy year. I have very much enjoyed my bi-weekly zoom meeting with some of my close friends and game nights with family members. Now we can put a holiday spin and invite our favorite people for themed virtual parties.
Here are some fun ideas:
- Gingerbread house decorating competition.
- Cookie decorating.
- Grab some hot cocoa, snuggle up, and have someone read a holiday story.
- Caroling! Each household takes a turn or everyone sings together.
- For adult fun - A holiday drinking game online with your friends or neighbors (extra bonus for not having to leave the house!).
- Share your favorite holiday adventures. Sledding down a hill and not being able to stop? What happened next? We all need to find out!
- Watch one of the online concerts such as Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli (or the many others) which are scheduled to have appearances over the next 8 days. Or for that matter, watch a holiday movie and meet up to critique it.
Socially distanced fun!
- Caroling around your neighborhood.
Just make sure to stick to only the people in your household/bubble, keep your mask handy just in case, and keep a safe distance from neighbors.
- Visiting family and friends. Hear me out, it may not be possible to visit grandma and grandpa this year, but if they live nearby, why not drop by and say hi from the outside? Just seeing your smiling faces waving at them through the living room window can bring so much cheer. Extra points for playing 'Jingle Bell Rock' in the car speakers and having a holiday dance party in their front yard while they join in the house.
- A Christmas hike can be a great opportunity to get outside while keeping clear of crossing paths with others. Take in that crisp holiday air and share memories from years past with your same-household hiking companions. I had another wonderful experience hiking in Joshua Tree last week! There is nothing like getting out in nature.
- A drive through town to see the lights! This is a personal favorite of mine. Colin and I have already made a couple of rounds to see the holiday cheer. It may sound a bit silly but these lights make us feel alive and happy. Here are some of the photos we've snapped along the way:
Even the dinosaurs are feeling festive!!
And I realize this time of year can be difficult for some. If you find yourself needing some cheer and need a friend to talk to, contact me. It may take me a little while to get back with you but I'm here and would love to hear your voice. Fill out the form on the contact page and leave me your phone number. I'll return your call as soon as I am able.
I'd love to hear what ways your family is thinking outside the box this year. Leave a comment and let me know. Hope this found you feeling healthy and positive. Remember to wear your masks and keep smiling. We're getting through this challenging time together. Until next week my friends...
xo
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