The holiday season through November and December is one of the most coveted times of the year for a lot of people. Being surrounded by family and friends, laughing and sharing stories over an amazing dinner and just letting go of all the worries the past year has brought is enough to make anyone excited.
This year, the holidays are going to look different.
Families are opting to postpone gatherings, make them virtual, or just cancel them altogether. While these are the safest and most practical options given the recent spike in COVID-19 cases across the United States, it can still be hard to accept. Nobody wants to be alone for the holidays, left to watch as irresponsible people continue to gather, despite the risks. Undoubtedly, this dilemma has left the holidays as something many are dreading, not enjoying.
However, I don’t believe this has to be the case. A little bit of holiday cheer is exactly what we all need after having such a catastrophic year. Whether or not you’re celebrating alone this year, there are a few ways to make this season feel even more special.
Related: Balancing Holidays During the Online Semester
Decorate early (I promise, it’s fine!)
Every year, I wait until the weekend after Thanksgiving to put up my Christmas decorations. I had convinced myself that doing it any sooner would somehow spoil the cheer or make it feel less special. Let me tell you, that is not true at all. There’s no reason to limit yourself when it comes to decorating! Waking up to twinkling lights in the living room or bedroom every morning is amazing and will definitely boost your mood if you’re feeling down this holiday season.
There are some really inexpensive and easy DIY holiday decor ideas if you’re not stocked up already (bonus points if you host a zoom craft night with some of your friends!)
Bake something you’ve never made before
While baking during the holidays is a tried-and-true staple, it can seem less fun to do it without being surrounded by friends and family. Coming from personal experience, it’s definitely not! I love baking alone because it gives you the freedom to experiment without the fear of judgment from someone else.
Try baking brown butter pecan cookies, peanut butter balls, gingersnap cookies, or even a classic like chocolate chip cookies.
Watch classic, cozy movies
Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit more than curling up in bed and watching a classic movie like “Love Actually” or “It’s a Wonderful Life.” If something lighter is more your style, Netflix just released “Holidate,” and has plenty of other heartwarming movies to put a smile on your face. To go along with your movie, make yourself a nice cup of hot chocolate and order in your favorite food!
Related: Decorating Your Room Holiday Style
Go on a drive to look at all the lights and listen to holiday music
If you’ve never taken the time to drive around various neighborhoods to check out holiday lights, this is a great year to start. A perfect socially-distanced activity, listening to holiday music while watching all the lights pass by is a great way to spend an evening.
If you’re looking for something more upscale, the Bull Run Festival of Lights is the perfect place to experience a winter wonderland from the comfort of your own car. They’ve added an additional three weeks to view the lights, as well as online tickets to limit contact.
Schedule a family Zoom call
If you’re really down about being away from family this season, don’t be afraid to plan a call to chat with all your relatives. If talking isn’t your thing, you can plan a Netflix party movie night or game night via Zoom. Regardless of the holiday, they’ll be excited to hear from you and catch up in lieu of a traditional gathering.
Despite the challenges 2020 has thrown at us, we can still enjoy ourselves this holiday season, collegiettes.