A COVID Christmas: Continuing three-holiday traditions but COVID-19 style

As we enter the Christmas season with the COVID-19 pandemic being the new normal, it’s safe to say that our usual holiday celebrations will look a little different this year. Although you may not be able to throw a Christmas party or host family gatherings, this list of three coronavirus-friendly holiday festivities will help you and your friends and family enjoy the holiday season.

Virtual Gingerbread House Competition 

Every year my family invites our closest friends and family to compete in a gingerbread house building competition – complete with teams of two and hours of fun spent listening to Christmas music and drinking hot chocolate while perfecting our candy-covered houses. However, with the pandemic, our annual gingerbread competition can’t go on as normal this year. By holding the competition over a Zoom meeting, my parents found the perfect way to still enjoy our tradition with friends and family all while staying safe. With a virtual gingerbread home competition, you’re still able to listen to the best Christmas tunes, drink hot chocolate and catch up with friends and family – even if it has to be through a screen. 

Baking and delivering Christmas treats

A sweet and yummy way to show love and appreciation to family and friends is by baking delicious Christmas-themed treats with your family and delivering them to grandparents, cousins, close friends or even strangers. By washing hands extra and individually wrapping treats, you can ensure safety for everyone. This festivity is the perfect way to enjoy Christmas with those in your life while staying safe and socially distanced. Some of my favorite Pinterest holiday recipes include hot chocolate bombs, peppermint brownies and Christmas tree sugar cookies.

Virtual Secret Santa 

Another holiday coronavirus adaptation to try this year is a Virtual Secret Santa. Although the usual Secret Santa can’t occur in-person due to COVID-19 and distancing guidelines, a fun way to carry on this tradition COVID-style is simply virtually, through a text message group chat or Zoom call. The steps of drawing names, designating gift-givers and assigning budgets for the gifts can proceed normally – but the final event of revealing gifts can be done with friends and family through a Zoom call. This activity, although different from past years, can be still just as fun-filled with the Christmas spirit as it normally would be.