How to Make Remote Holidays Special
Illustration by Allie Runnion for Just Us Gals
With everything going on with the coronavirus, your holiday season might look a little different this year (thanks 2020!). However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t still connect with family and friends and spend time together. Here are several ideas for how to “get together” with loved ones during the holiday season and still make it a special time for you and yours.
“Secret Santa” Gift Exchanges
Many people will likely not be comfortable going into stores to shop, especially with the usual rush of shoppers around the holidays. A virtual gift exchange is a perfect opportunity to do some online shopping and send gifts directly to your “Santa” without having to leave the comfort of your home. Plus, it’s always fun to receive gift boxes in the mail, especially ones that you didn’t order yourself! Websites like DrawNames.com make it easy to enter participants’ names and create wishlists. This leads into the next idea…
Holiday Zoom Calls
I know, I know. Not another Zoom call. If you can’t get together in person with family or friends due to travel restrictions or trying to be safe in not gathering in large groups, a video call can be another option to feel connected. Set a call time of one hour so that it doesn’t feel like it’s turning into a meeting and open your “Secret Santa” gifts! You can then see your gifts being opened and the recipient’s reaction, as well as get to open your gift in front of the person who sent it to you. You can also try to guess who had you in the drawing!
Share Food/Special Traditions
Your loved ones may have special meals that you enjoy eating around the holidays every year. If you can’t be together in person, ask them for the recipe to their meal (if they are willing to share!) so that you can get the groceries and attempt to make it yourself. It will either be a nice reminder of the person and tradition, or potentially will be a kitchen fail that you can laugh about. If you and your loved ones live close by but are not gathering this year, another idea would be to make the traditional food item, wrap them, and do a porch drop or have everyone come to your porch to pick them up.
What are some of your tips for making the remote holidays fun this year?
Heather Finn is a clinical social worker living and working in North Carolina. You can follow Heather on Twitter @heatherlynnsw.
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