Christmas is the happiest time of the year. The whole month of December is filled with candy canes, evergreens, hot chocolate, and merry tidings. It is usually a time for the family to come together and everyone to experience the joy of the season with the people they love. However, due to the unprecedented times we are dealing with in the year 2020, Christmas may look a little different this year.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the globe almost a year ago, no one could have imagined we would still be dealing with it in December of 2020. The hope was that everyone would be back to their regularly scheduled celebrations and being able to go back to a sense of normalcy at home. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. Travel is still incredibly risky, and people are being asked to stay at home and socially distance as much as possible. So your annual Christmas trip may look pretty different this year. But that doesn’t mean you still can’t have fun. There are plenty of ways to stay safe and enjoy a new type of Christmas this year. Remember, the spirit of the season is one of kindness and compassion, and what better way to spread that than to look for Covid-safe ways to celebrate. Here are just a few ideas of how you can still create a Christmas you’ll never forget.
Create an at-home experience to remember.
Christmas is often a time for traveling to explore a new city or visit your loved ones. Just because you can’t go somewhere for a unique experience, doesn’t mean you can’t bring a unique experience home. Maybe this year can be all about bringing the vacation to you. There are plenty of avenues to explore here.
Maybe you want to make that winter wonderland come to life in your backyard. Deck the halls and the house with Christmas lights, fake snow, snowmen, and reindeer. We all need something to cheer us up this year, so why not create Santa’s workshop or a gumdrop forest right in your living room. It can bring a creative twist to the holidays while putting a smile on everyone’s face.
Or maybe you want to go the relaxation vacation route. What about creating your own at-home spa and oasis? Have a full day of pampering with a bubble bath drawn up, face masks (not the Covid ones) at the ready, and nail polish ready to paint. You can even invest in some nail polish stickers to make your manicure feel like it was professionally done. Putting in a great effort to create a resort feel at home can make all the difference.
You may also want to consider creating a vacation environment right at home. Play that tropical music, pull out the beach chairs, and mix up some mai tais. Or if you were supposed to visit Grandma and Grandpa, can you set up a virtual game night or cocktail hour with them instead. Everyone is making sacrifices this season, but there are ways to still visit where you wanted to go, it just takes some creativity and imagination.
Actually take the time to relax.
The holidays are meant to be a season of relaxation and peace. But for so many people it can actually turn into a stressful affair of organizing company and presents and trying to make sure everything is running smoothly. Well, this year may finally give you the opportunity to actually rest. So when you’re actually off from work for a few days, don’t fill them with hurried Christmas shopping and trying to make it to every single party. Instead, enjoy some time at home curling up with your favorite book, spending time with the family, or catching up on your favorite Hallmark Christmas movies.
You can also look for new ways to give yourself the gift of relaxation all year long. Maybe it’s investing in a monthly massage schedule or getting into meditation. Or maybe you can decide to try edibles and CBD products for the first time. CBD from hemp flowers is an excellent solution to ease your stress and anxiety. With many flavors of CBD, you can enjoy the oil or CBD hemp flower without the fear of getting high or having psychoactive effects. Find that sense of calm during this holiday season and beyond by experimenting with CBD oil, edibles, and other products. It may help you relax well into the new year.
Use the extra money on a special Christmas Treat.
Vacations are expensive. So while it may be a bummer you don’t get to travel this year, consider ways you can make use of the extra cash you’re saving. Maybe that means you can splurge on some extra special Christmas presents for an extra hard year. This could be the year you get that family gaming system, invest in new air pods, or finally purchase the new Chrysler, Dodge, and Ram for sale in Enfield, CT. Nothing will replace the vacation you’re missing out on, but this could be a way to celebrate in a new fashion.
Take a socially distant road trip.
Just because there are restrictions on travel, doesn’t mean it’s completely impossible. You can still take a vacation but do it responsibly. A socially distanced road trip could be a good option for you this year. Rather than getting on a plane or traveling through busy airports, pack up the family in your own Dodge or Nissan and plug in your destination in the navigation system. You can even find lodging that maintains the level of social distancing required.
Consider renting out your own vacation home somewhere where there isn’t a lot of foot traffic or potential interactions. Or get an Airbnb or a cabin in the woods where you can enjoy that recluse and a private Christmas somewhere new. You may even be able to explore some highlights and destinations along the way. Places like national parks, outdoor festivals, or beaches are all fairly safe as long as you can be distant from other parties. It may take some extra planning, but there are ways to go on a Covid-safe road trip this year that will still lead to great memories and new traditions.
Go camping or on a private getaway.
A great way to have ultimate privacy on your vacation is to go on a camping trip or to a secluded vacation home. This can allow you to still enjoy the great outdoors and change it up during the holidays. You don’t even have to rough it to enjoy the great outdoors. Check out some “glamping” options or nicer cabins that include all your favorite amenities.
Visit family, but after you quarantine.
If visiting your family is especially important to you during the holidays, that option doesn’t have to be entirely eliminated from your plans. It just takes advanced planning and safety measures to guarantee everyone stays safe. The CDC recommends a 14-day quarantine for anyone who plans to see people outside of their immediate circle. This means you want to stay in complete isolation to limit potential interactions for two weeks before you make a trip to visit anyone for the benefit of everyone’s health care.
Make sure everyone in the family is adhering to these strict guidelines so you can enjoy your time together without worrying. It may also be reassuring to have everyone tested for COVID-19 before you finally get together. For anyone in your family who is older or has a serious medical condition, this still can be a risky choice. Use your best judgment and do what is most loving for the special people in your life, even if it means a digital Christmas this year.
