This unconventional holiday season still has many opportunities to be merry and bright
Many of us will be missing out on traditional holiday activities this year, such as parties and shopping in bustling malls. However, try not to fret — this is the best time to invest in some cozy reindeer pajamas and celebrate safely from the comfort of your home. You can still enjoy a holly, jolly Christmas despite the restrictions of the pandemic.
Create a Christmas playlist
The first step to getting in the holiday spirit is to create a Christmas playlist you can rock out to while decorating and doing other activities within your home. Customize it with your favourite versions of classic songs. If exam season is making it difficult to get in the spirit, consider creating a classical Christmas music playlist. Sometimes soft piano music can help with studying.
Decorate your home
Festive decorating is fun and will add some spice to your regular living environment. Candles are a great starting point, with a huge variety of scents to choose from such as pine, cinnamon, peppermint, and hot cocoa. Even simple things like a dinner table set with Christmas placemats might make the house feel more cozy and festive for your immediate family or roommates. Consider placing decor throughout your entire house so you can enjoy touches of Christmas in every room.
Get crafty
Christmas is traditionally a time to gather with family and friends to celebrate. However, with social restrictions in place, we have more time to reflect on how much we value the company of the people we love. Find crafty ways to let them know how much you miss them, and to wish them well. Harness your creativity and craft homemade Christmas cards for the people you would usually be spending time with. Write them a thoughtful message to spread holiday cheer from wherever you are!
Go outdoors
If you’re feeling restless at home, spend some time in nature by hiking some local trails. Collect some fallen twigs or pinecones to bring home so you can construct a rustic Chritsmas tree ornament. Your DIY ornament-making could mark the beginning of a creative family tradition.
Make treats
December is usually a month of tasty baked goods and cookie exchanges. Just because you can’t participate in the normal festivities doesn’t mean you can’t bake goodies to enjoy within your home! Consider having a bake off with your family or roommates. Try putting a twist on traditional gingerbread and fruitcake or make a four-tiered Christmas tree cake. Does your family have any holiday specials you could try your hand at? Chestnuts roasted on an open fire could be used in a unique soup recipe. Fill the extra time you now have by making something new.
Tour the decorations of your neighbourhood
As the season progresses, go for nighttime drives to admire decorated streets and houses. Maybe your neighbours had additional time to put up Christmas lights or take their displays to the next level this year. It’s always exciting to see the way a community transforms into a winter wonderland. This could be enjoyed with a hot chocolate made at home before heading out or picked up from a local business.
Take photos
A final suggestion to making this holiday season special is to photodocument all you do. Take photos of snow-covered plants and trees while out hiking trails, your festive baked goods, and any Christmas light displays that catch your eye. Print out your photos and arrange them in an album or scrapbook to commemorate the things you enjoyed this Christmas.
Putting an ‘enjoy at home’ twist on traditional Christmas activities should help lift your spirits and hopefully avoid any blue feelings this year. Remember to appreciate the people and traditions in your life safely.
A version of this article appeared in print in The Ontarion issue 189.4 on Nov. 26, 2020.
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