This holiday season has been completely different from years past. Everyone gathering around the dinner table virtually, exchanging gifts through the mail, and holiday parties on Zoom. It’s no secret that the pandemic has transformed the way that people are living their day to day lives. This includes working to reform the way that the holidays are shared among loved ones safely. The following are several new holiday traditions to help spread that Christmas cheer this year.
Cookie exchanges are always a holiday classic during this time of the year. While it may seem completely impossible to hold one in the midst of a pandemic, it can still be done virtually! Start a new cookie exchange tradition by inviting friends and family to bake two different cookie recipes. Gather everyone on Zoom and take turns sharing the cookies that were baked as well as the recipes to go along with them. This is sure to be a total success, and may even be the start to a brand new yearly Christmas tradition.
Many people have been impacted during this Coronavirus outbreak. Loved ones have been lost, and their will be empty chairs all around the world this holiday. Take the time to send some encouraging words to those families who are struggling. One of the most touching ways to reach out and comfort others is by simply writing a letter of encouragement. This could even be a wonderful tradition to start with your family by having each member write a letter of their own to the struggling family. When dropping off the letters include a holiday treat along with them for the family to enjoy.
If there has been anything that has been taught throughout this hectic year, it’s to be grateful. There’s no better way to get the family in the holiday spirit than to encourage them to share what they are thankful for. Grab an old mason jar and place it in a room that everyone is in and out of frequently. Family members then have the opportunity to write down what they are thankful for and put it in the jar. Creating a family ‘thankful’ jar is sure to lift everyone’s holiday spirit after this rough year.