Contributed Collaborative Post
For a lot of people, Christmas really isn’t Christmas without having the entire extended family sat around the dinner table for a great big celebration. It’s the time of year where everyone gets together in one big, joyous (often messy) party. Of course, anyone who’s been paying even the slightest bit of attention this year will know that this is not really an option for this Christmas. This can be really frustrating for a lot of people and can leave a lot of folks feeling decidedly un-festive. However, just because things are a little difficult in lockdown doesn’t mean that there aren’t still ways to enjoy a family Christmas!
Make sure you let people know you’re thinking of them
One thing that you should absolutely make sure of this year is that you don’t let the phrase “out of sight, out of mind” come true. If there are people you would usually see during the festive season, don’t forget to let them know that you’re thinking of them even if they’re far away. Simple things like making sure their presents get to them before the big day can make a huge difference. Or you could send flowers to relatives that you might have previously had as visitors. Even something as simple as just taking the time to make a phone call so that you can hear each other’s voices can make a huge difference and ensure that the connections between you and the people you love stay strong over the holidays, even if you’re having to stay apart.
Have a digital dinner table
Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean that you have to buy some sci-fi touch screen table for your Christmas dinner. Instead, why not set up something like a Zoom call for you and the people who you would usually have with you at Christmas? That way, no matter where you all are in the world you still have the chance to sit down together and enjoy Christmas dinner as a family. Sure, it’s not exactly the same as the real thing but the truth making compromises is a central part of lockdown life. At least this way you can all talk, laugh, and enjoy the fun of spending Christmas dinner together with no matter how far apart you might be from one another.
The reality of Christmas for a lot of people is that it’s something that’s heavily defined by traditions. Whether it’s long-standing cultural traditions, religious traditions, or just traditions that you and your family have created for yourself, it can be incredibly difficult to feel as though you’re having to give those traditions up. But the most important thing to remember is that sacrificing the kind of Christmas that so many of us really want this year is in service of making sure that all of our Christmasses in the future can be as joyful and pleasant as possible. This pandemic will end, we’ve just got to be able to make the most of things until it does.
This is a contributed collaborative post
