10 IDEAS TO BRIGHTEN THE 2020 HOLIDAYS

In step with the rest of the year, the 2020 holidays are going to be unlike any other — and while plans with family and friends have been cancelled as COVID restrictions are extended in BC, that doesn’t mean the end of the year can't be bright.  Don’t get me wrong I’d been looking forward to this holiday season for over a year — imagining how heartwarming it would be to see my parents spoiling their youngest grandson on his first Christmas— or possibly even making the trip to Germany for Hugo to take in a traditional Christmas with his Oma and Opa.  Alas, none of that will be happening and while it is disappointing especially considering Hugo still hasn’t met his Oma and Opa, I am instead focusing on how thankful I am that we are safe and healthy during this pandemic.  Thousands across the country are going into these holidays after losing a loved one to COVID-19, battling the illness themselves or suffering from its long term health impacts.  So if you don’t fall into any of those categories take a moment to understand how lucky you are.  If you know someone impacted by COVID-19 be sure to reach out to them and let them know you care.  

While the holidays will feel different I know it will be special for my family of three to have this Christmas alone.  It will likely be the only time this happens— and that my friends makes it precious and beautiful.  So instead of focusing on where you won't be or who you won't be with, I challenge you to see the silver lining in your situation.  Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or the Winter Solstice, I have some ideas for things you can do with your own household to brighten spirits and bring a little cheer to those around you.  I didn’t really intend to write this post, but while brainstorming activities for my own family I thought, maybe I should share these.  I realize some of these ideas are going to be difficult if you live alone — but perhaps those of you with multiple people in your household can include your friends and family who live alone to join in on some of these ideas via video-chat.  

1. 1. Bake goodies and drop them off (contactless) to friends and family in your city

Dust off your cookie sheets and get baking!  Put on some Christmas music and make an afternoon or evening out of it.  Make a list of all the people you want to drop off treats to and then pick a few recipes.  Make sure to thoroughly clean your counter space, wash your hands and wear a mask while you are baking and delivering. You want to spread cheer, not COVID!  I had a friend do this for me recently and it really brightened my day. 

You could purchase a few gingerbread house kits, or make the gingerbread yourself.  Keep it within your household or challenge others outside of your household (especially those who live alone) to join in via video chat.  Let everyone pick out their own candy and get creative.  Once your creations are ready snap a few pictures, post them to social media and let your friends and family vote for the winner!  You could award a prize to the winner, or just let them enjoy the bragging rights.  

1. 3. Challenge each member of your family to come up with a new holiday tradition

This one is going to take some creativity — but it could likely turn out some fun and unique traditions that you’ll continue for years to come.  It could be making a holiday-themed photo booth (using DIY decorations from around your house), Xmas Pj’s photoshoot using the timer on your phone or a Christmas-themed movie night made special with treats, hot cocoa and a blanket fort. 

We recently did this with friends who had a subscription to the Jackbox app and it was so much fun.  There are plenty of virtual game night apps that allow you to invite friends for some friendly competition.  This is especially great for those who live far away and also those who live alone.  

While most holiday light displays around Vancouver have been cancelled there are a few that are still open including PNE Winter Lights, Langley Glow and Maple Ridge Glow.  You could also map out your own route using some of the suggestions in this article.

The sky is the limit here, but this could be a great idea for little ones and might even become a tradition you continue throughout the years.  You can order some crafting supplies online and get some DIY inspiration from sites like Pinterest. Remember, glue guns are your friend but make sure to keep kiddos safe with these hot tools.  

I don’t know about you, but I am not planning to make a turkey dinner for just the three of us.  I am sure Hugo would love a little pureed turkey and sweet potato, but there would be way too many leftovers.  We still haven’t nailed down what we are going to make, but for this less than traditional year, it seems only fitting to do a less traditional meal. If you had the same thought with a much smaller gathering, why not have a little fun with it and spend an evening picking out different menu items. 

As we know this year has been particularly devastating to seniors who live in long-term care facilities and there are lots of ways you can support them.  You could brighten the holidays for people in care homes through the Stocking Stuffers for Seniors initiative from London Drugs by picking up a few essentials on their list.  How do you do it?  All the info is right here.  You can also check out the Canada Helps website to look through a list of charities that support seniors. 

For the last several years I have joined the Global BC team at the Pan Pacific Hotel in mid-December for the Christmas Wish Breakfast.  It has been cancelled this year, but you can still support the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau with cash donations or a new and unwrapped toy. 

This could really brighten the day for someone who is feeling a bit lonely and it also supports local restaurants that are struggling this year.  Show someone you care by ordering a dish from a local restaurant and dropping it off at their doorstep, or use a delivery service for extra convenience.  This idea might take a bit of coordination — for instance knowing if your friend or family member has any dietary restrictions and of course whether they’ll be home at that time, but I am sure you detectives out there can figure this out.  

Everyone is carrying extra emotional baggage this year, so remember to be kind. Whether it's the grocery store clerk, the associate in the drug store, someone making a delivery to your door or anyone else you might encounter — just be nice. Countless people have lost loved ones to COVID-19 or other causes have had to grieve largely alone or weren’t able to have a memorial with friends and family, thousands are battling COVID-19 and its after-effects, some are struggling with loneliness, finances are tight for a lot of people and of course, we are all dealing with the anxiety of the pandemic in one way or another. 

I know spending Christmas without all your friends and family around is just another blow to an already disastrous year.  Like many of you I can’t wait for normal life to resume.  I miss hugs.  I miss walking out my door without wondering if I am going to put myself, my son and my family at risk.  I miss my family. I miss hugs.  I miss seeing people smile.  I miss the hustle and bustle of a crowded restaurant.  Did I mention I miss hugs? This is not the way humans are meant to live — yet staying apart is the most human thing we can do right now. 

Perhaps the icing on this year’s awful cake is a bitter disappointment — but just think how sweet it will be next year.  How alive all of us will feel when we can just walk outside without worrying.  Remember why we are doing this right now — we are keeping each other safe and we have to do it together.  I don’t know about you but the way I see it, there is a light at the end of the tunnel with a year full of hope ahead of us.