Welp, it’s official. The coronavirus pandemic has officially taken over this entire year, and with cases on the rise, it looks like the holidays will be no exception. This only reinforces the need to gather with your loved ones this holiday, to bring light into the final days of 2020, no matter how dark things seem. Here are some ideas to brighten your spirits this year.
1. Turn Your Garage Into the Perfect Outdoor Party! Think outside the box this year, and re-create your garage into the perfect holiday hangout. Open up the garage door to bring in that air flow, and cover the outside with holiday lights and other decorations. Inside, put more decorations, a Christmas tree, menorah, or other decoration in the middle with ample room for your attendees presents. Set up a hot chocolate (or a yummy holiday themed cocktail or other non-alcoholic fun drink) and pre-wrapped snacks station, pull out all your blankets in case people get cold or just want to feel cozy, and if you have room, set up a projector to play your favorite holiday movies to play in the background. A table or a station for each “household,” can be setup in a different part of the garage.
2. Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt: If you’re looking to create some adventure this holiday, team up with friends to organize a scavenger hunt for the kids in your neighborhood (or something more adult for you and your friends- just don't get arrested ;)). In a drive by, collect clues from each house that leads to a final prize. This can be a great way for each house to get creative with holiday decorations for the drive by, and clever clues/winning treats to make your neighborhood feel more festive and unified this holiday season.
Many people have already started this early this year-- organize a 3. Virtual Secret Santa/White Elephant: Bring the classic Secret Santa to your virtual party, by using an online gift exchange platform like Elfster or buying a homemade gift from Etsy , so everyone can still partake in this timeliness activity. Or, if you're in person, carefully do a white elephant!
Arguably most important of all, 4. Take a Moment of Gratitude. With so much hardship this year, take a moment to reflect during the holidays on five things you are grateful for this year. Consistent gratitude practice leads to better relationship building, physical and mental health-which is something we could all use more of this year! If you celebrate Christmas and have kids, have them write to Santa with what they are grateful for, not what they want. For you, take some time to journal or share with friends uplighting moments from the year, and be conscious of how you frame events this holiday. Instead of reflecting on how sad it is that the sun goes down so early, think about how grateful you are that you get to see the Christmas lights at night.
Happy Holidays, and ho matter what you choose to do this holiday season, in the words of the incomparable Irving Berlin, “may your ev’ry wish come true.”
And don't forget to watch our first-of-its-kind shoppable sitcom, Adulting with Jane!
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