How To Make The Most Of A Covid Christmas This Year
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! At least, it is when there isn’t a global pandemic threatening to shut down the holidays. Whatever happens, it’s clear that yuletide in 2020 won’t be the same as most years. A ‘Covid Christmas’ is disappointing because it’s the social element that makes Christmas special. But we really shouldn’t jump the gun because nobody knows what the restrictions will be like by the 25th of December. And, even if they are strict, for most of us, there’s nothing to stop us from having an incredible time, albeit different.
Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels
The key is to embrace the different nature of Covid Christmas and to be prepared. Otherwise the holidays will feel the same as any other period, and that’s not what you need when you’ve been locked down for months.
With that in mind, here are some tips to help you make the most of our Covid Christmas this year. Hopefully, these will get you in the mood!
1 – Decorate
It’s tempting to fob off the decorations and go about life as normal. However, there won’t be any sparkle, and you’ll start to feel run down from all the monotony, especially if you’ve been working from home.
Christmas is a time to recharge as much as it is a time to celebrate. It’s also a time to indulge and take as much time off work as you possibly can.
View this post on Instagram
Therefore, you should get into the Christmas spirit by hauling out the decorations and putting them up early. Not only will the lights in your windows add sparkle to your mood, but they’ll inspire the rest of the community too. With any luck, the neighbours will follow your lead and Christmas will have a hint of normality.
2 – Shop Proactively
While most businesses haven’t done well during the pandemic, some have. Supermarkets are at the top of the list as, for example: according to Retail Gazette, in the UK – they have recorded fifteen million more shoppers per week at the peak of the crisis. With Christmas on the horizon, the increase in demand will only skyrocket, which can be problematic.
After all, this Covid Christmas may well mean we can’t nip out to a local store and shop traditionally, so there’s a good chance we’ll have to rely on the internet for most of our shopping from grocery to gifts.
Photo by Oleg Zaicev from Pexels
More and more of our favourite local stores are online these days so be sure to support them this Christmas. For Christmas gift ideas check out these five articles:
- An Independent Irish Art, Design & Interiors Shops Directory
- 15 Fantastic Designers and Makers Based in Kildare, Ireland
- Christmas Gifts: Eight Super Stocking Fillers for Travel Lovers
- Irish Made & Natural – Four Fabulous Irish Candle Makers
- 3 Awesome Gift Ideas for the ‘Foodie’ in Your Life
Supermarkets and businesses can only deliver so many items at a time. Therefore, it’s essential to prepare as well in advance as you can. You don’t need to stockpile, but buying as many gifts and stocking fillers as you can early on, might give you the advantage before the inevitable Christmas rush. The same goes for food, support local where you can but do shop around for the best quality and price. And if making savings are important during these Covid times – you should check out sites like NetVoucherCodes for active coupons you can use to reduce your net spend.
Of course, you might need to speak to your loved ones about the gift-buying process as they might want to cut down this year.
3 – Make Time For Family
Christmas is about family, yet the virus is preventing people from socialising and it’s incredibly contagious. So, there’s a chance that households won’t be allowed to mix on Christmas Day, which is stressful. For instance, what do you do if you have elderly parents who require assistance? You don’t want to break the law.
Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels
The good news is, you don’t have to. Making time for loved ones is possible if you think outside the box. Consider video calling your family and friends, and share your Covid Christmas dinner with them online. Or if you can and are willing, you could stand outside and swap presents from two metres apart! It’s not perfect, but it’s better than the alternative of staying indoors and not seeing anyone all day.
Plus, it gives you the chance to make sure people who rely on you are taken care of. For example, you can cook dinner and deliver it to the door so that they have a semi-normal Christmas.
4 – Don’t Work
Sure, some people have to because not everybody is lucky enough to finish work the Friday before Christmas and go back in the New Year. However, it’s easier to see 2020 as a bust, and as a result, to do things you wouldn’t normally.
Photo by fotografierende from Pexels
A prime example is to work throughout the Christmas period as you’ve got nothing better to do and you’re locked down. The holidays might be different, yet it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t relax and chill. It might be exactly what you need! Plus, you’ll be less likely to be bored since the Christmas schedule should roll on regardless.
That means plenty of old-fashioned films and TV shows to keep you entertained. When you combine those with leftover food and drink, you’ve got a recipe for success!
How will you make the most of Christmas this year? What are your plans?
PIN How to Make the Most of a Covid Christmas:
*****
Follow The Life of Stuff on Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram