What brings you joy during the holidays?
For me it’s…
- Hanging lights around the house
- Mailing out greeting cards
- Putting up the tree
- Wrapping presents
- Celebrating my birthday with family & friends
- Watching Christmas movies & listening to all the classic carols
- Admiring the bright colors beaming from the homes of neighbors
- Strolling through town, enjoying all of the holiday decor, and soaking up the festive energy that’s in the air while dining out and shopping for last minute gifts
- Reminiscing about my my childhood and the immense joy I experienced every Christmas Eve & Christmas morning with my family
- Holiday parties with loved ones
- Ringing in the New Year
Fortunately for me, most of the things I love to do most during the holidays are enjoyed from the comforts of home. And although I won’t be able to host a big birthday celebration, attend the usual holiday parties, or gather with extended family & dear friends this Christmas & New Year due to COVID — I’m leaning into these changes, continuing to be grateful for my many blessings, and embracing the quiet calm of this 2020 holiday season.
However, If you’re struggling to find the joy, feeling a bit blue, & need a few ideas to brighten up your holiday see below for some fun suggestions that are sure to make the coming weeks a little bit better!
Bringing The Fun to Your Holiday Zoom Calls
Other than a great snack platter and a tasty drink or two or three within arm’s reach of your device – nothing energizes a virtual holiday party like a good activity! The Houseparty app gets a bit boring after a few uses so get creative with your game play. Charades & Pictionary work wonderfully over video as do fun at home scavenger hunts. If you haven’t seen Celebrity Game Face on E! yet, take a look to be inspired by the hilarious games you & your loved ones can play over video call this holiday season.
Christmas Movie Watch Parties
Just because you can’t gather in the same living room, it doesn’t mean you can’t watch your favorite Christmas classic or the latest holiday flick with your friends and family. Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ all have watch party features you and your loved ones can take advantage of this season. You can also Zoom or FaceTime as well. So grab a bowl of popcorn, get your pals online, sync up that festive film, and get to watching!
Donating to Your Favorite Charity
Like I mentioned in my Thanksgiving Recipe post from a few weeks ago, we are all aware of the devastating health emergency brought about by COVID-19. However, for many of us who are financially blessed with savings, a secure well-paying job, the opportunity to work from home, and a roof over our head – it’s easy to forget that this pandemic has resulted in a catastrophic economic crisis for millions!
If you have the financial means, please consider donating to your local food bank or food-based charity. You can also help by ordering a Christmas meal, side dish, or dessert from a struggling mom & pop restaurant in your neighborhood. We should give generously every year, but now in 2020 even more so. Every donation big or small makes a huge difference & your act of charity will definitely fill your heart with so much love and joy this holiday season!
Fun with Food
Decorating a gingerbread house, stringing popcorn or fresh cranberries, baking cookies, and making a homemade holiday pie will definitely bring some smiles while enjoying the season at home.
Livening Up Your Winter Libations
If you’ve never made homemade eggnog or mulled wine, now is the perfect time! I am a huge fan of both & recommend you try making at least one of these festive holiday drinks this winter season.
Another way to liven up your at-home, holiday happy hours is by having a virtual tasting with family & friends.
- Step 1: Have everyone who’s joining the virtual tasting purchase the same 3-5 wines, 3-5 bourbons, whiskeys, or brandies (warm winter liquors), or even the same 3-5 handcrafted cocktails from a neighborhood restaurant if you’re in the same city.
- Step 2: Taste each drink one at a time, simultaneously as a group.
- Step 3: After each tasting share your thoughts about what you just drank. Discuss flavor profiles and give each beverage a score from 1-10.
- Step 4: Enjoy being a tipsy elf while safe at home.
Holiday Scavenger Hunts
This can be a great game for a single household to play or the participants of a virtual holiday party. Have everyone who’s playing come up with 1-2 fun objects to find in the house or in their neighborhood. If the objects are in the house – give everyone 1 minute to try and find everything. If the objects are outside give them 3-5 minutes to secure a photo of each item. The outdoor neighborhood photo scavenger hunt could be really fun & can include objects such as an inflatable Santa, a red truck, icicle house lights, a snowman, car antlers, and an elf on a lawn. The possibilities are endless. Happy hunting!
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