To say that 2020 was a bundle of the unexpected is an understatement. As if the Holiday season wasn’t stressful enough in a ‘regular’ year, we are now expected to handle it all with a relentless virus that just won’t see to go away. On top of that we have friends and loved one who all have differing opinions. So just HOW do we do this? How do we stay sane and healthy during this Covid19 Christmas season?
There isn’t one quick answer for all of this. There is no one size fits all for how to cope. Have you found yourself going through the motions and trying to pretend everything is normal, but then you stand back for a second as you walk through a store and see only the eyes of the faces, you see ropes, you see steps on the floor for where you are supposed to stand, etc? Do you think to yourself how much you just wish life could go back to what we knew when the ball dropped at midnight on January 1st?
The first step is to embrace the fact that this is what we are facing. If we love it, hate it, or want it to evaporate from us, we are here.
Here are some of my ideas:
Do pause for a moment and think. Know where you stand on this. You are pro mask or anti mask. Know what you agree with, know what you disagree with.
Don’t be afraid to let people know where you stand. However, do this with still respecting that not everyone is handling this exactly the same as you may be. Learn to disagree respectfully.
Do keep a notebook or a list. This is needed for your thoughts, ideas, lists, etc. If there was ever a time to forget, tis now. A list will be a great friend for you!
Do let go of the idea that everything must be as perfected as possible.
Don’t say yes when you want to say no, don’t say no if you want to say yes. If you are unsure, saying I’ll have to get back to you on that IS okay.
Do weigh pros and cons. YOUR own. You can do this with your spouse/children if needed if you come up against something you’re having a hard time deciding on. Try not to stall and leave things unanswered. Try not to procrastinate.
Do talk about your gift exchanges. Maybe you always do secret Santa, but don’t feel it’s safe this year. Maybe you always do a girls hot chocolate party with old high school friends. Maybe you have the tradition of always going to cousin Stan’s holiday party the first weekend of December. Maybe this year you need to come up with safer ideas, postpone, decline. There was a commercial of a granddaughter that sent her grandma a big photo picture of herself and then when it arrived in the mail they facetimed. She was able to see her grandmothers reaction. It might not be the same, but the moment was still touching and memorable. This is where we’ve lost perspective this year. We are still able to make memories, we just need to be creative in doing so. There are options too. Packages can be purchased, wrapped, and shipped to friends and loved ones. Make sure you know who you are buying for. If someone may want to opt out this year, don’t get upset. You may even receive from someone this year you do not normally get a gift from. It’s the year of the unpredictable.
Do still decorate. You might feel “what is the sense if no one is coming over?” Keep some normal of the season in your life. Change it up a little bit. There is just something about those lights, ornaments, manger scene, tree, Christmas music, and so much more that brings the spirit of Christmas through.
Do bake, but don’t overdo. If you aren’t having 30 people over on Christmas eve, and the normal 15 that show up on Christmas day, you might want to reconsider using your normal recipes. Maybe make smaller batches this year. OR perhaps you would like to share. If you bake, do it safely. It is highly recommended that you wear gloves and mask if you are going to be sharing your baked goods with anyone outside of your home. Yes, while baking and putting together plates or baskets of baked goods/foods. You would be much more at ease knowing you took precautions, then having to worry later.
Do watch a Christmas movie (or two, three, four). Do read a Christmas story. Do listen to Christmas music!
Do ask where people stand. This may seem like a repeat, but it’s so important to be open and clear with those we know and love.
Do come up with new ideas. Maybe you’ve been wanting to change a tradition that just doesn’t seem to be working. This is a GREAT opportunity to change/stop. Then when next year rolls around if will be much easier to say “I liked the way we did that last year better.”
Do be careful.
Do smile. Wear a mask. Social distance. Don’t overcrowd. Don’t take unnecessary chances and risks of spreading. Do your best to stop the chances of spreading.
Most importantly, DO remember the true reason we celebrate this season!