Celebrate a Socially Distanced Holiday

By Tiffany Lord~

From sparkling decorations to the delicious smells of cookies fresh out of the oven, the holiday season is a time to reflect and celebrate — ideally, with friends and family.

But with the onset of COVID-19, many people can’t travel or see loved ones, especially with the onset of COVID-19. It can feel isolating and downright unfair if you’re not able to make it to your usual holiday gatherings, this year.

But with less effort than it takes to brave the skies or roads during the busiest time of year, you can stay connected to your loved ones and enjoy the holiday spirit from your home.

No matter your familiy’s traditions, you can still enjoy the same holiday rituals remotely. As long as you have an internet connection or a smartphone, you never have to be alone in today’s world.

Here are a few ideas on how to take your holiday online.

• Baking cookies with your siblings? FaceTime each other, grab a glass of wine, and create those sugar cookie masterpieces while laughing and reminiscing.
• Hosting a gift exchange with your friends or coworkers? With a little pre-planning, you can send gifts to each other ahead of time, then host a virtual party to open your surprises and show them off on screen.
• Sitting down for a big family meal? Cook your version of that holiday meal and hop onto Zoom with your family to enjoy each other’s virtual company. Take turns sharing what each of you are grateful for and what you’re looking forward to in the New Year.

If you feel a little lonely between virtual gatherings and phone calls, try the Joyful Memory Meditation to shift your mindset into one of joy and gratitude.

• Sit down and close your eyes.
• Breathe deeply and slowly through your nose.
• Visualize one of your favorite holiday memories to the last detail — see the people, location, colors. Listen to your surroundings.
• Take your time to feel the joy of this memory.
• Take a deep breath while silently repeating, “thank you.” Acknowledge the gratitude you feel for your memories and for this present moment.

Don’t forget to design your at-home holiday lounge. Think of your favorite aspects of the holiday season, from scents, music, colors, or photographs of holiday memories. Inspiration can come from anything that makes you feel more connected to your loved ones and the spirit of the season.

Use these inspirations to cultivate a “holiday lounge” somewhere in your home. This might be a cinnamon-scented candle on your nightstand, or a whole room decorated in uplifting holiday colors and lights. Make your space resonate with joy and connection.