10 Covid-Takes on Your Fave Christmas Traditions

We all know that this Christmas is going to be very different to any other festive period we've had. With the ever changing rules of what we can and can't do, many of us don't know whether we will get to have even a few of our loved ones around the table as we carve the turkey. In the UK, the new lockdown has already been announced meaning that families can't have the gatherings they thought they'd be able to have. But after the year we've had, the joys of Christmas and goodwill to all men seem to be the last thing on many people's minds and understandably so.

However there's also a lot of people who feel that after the year we've had, we're all in need of some much needed Christmas cheer. It's going to be bad enough that we can't be with the whole family or do a lot of things that we would normally do at this time of year, so why make ourselves more miserable? Christmas will be different this year... but does 'different' always have to mean 'bad'? We don't think so. Christmas may have to be, um, modified but it doesn't have to be cancelled altogether. It's easy to focus on the things that we're unable to do. But there are still a lot of things are we can do in order to make this time of year seem special. And having something to celebrate and look forward to gives you a much need boost and helps you feel less jaded after what has been an incredibly disastrous year.

So if you still have a little bit of that Christmas spirit in you and you're determined to make it the best that you can under the circumstances, there's still things you can do to have a peaceful, joyous yet socially-distanced Christmas.

1. HOLD ON TO THOSE TRADITIONS

There's something so endearing and meaningful about traditions that have existed in the family for decades. You might not always have appreciated them when you were growing up but it's amazing how much meaning those traditions have when you move away or you're not able to be with your family. Family traditions bring back happy memories of childhood and family events, filling you up with that warm, fuzzy feeling.

During these Covid times there are still many traditions that you can keep alive that will keep you connected to your family and help bring back memories of the good old days - great for that much needed feel-good factor. You can still put up the the nativity crib; watch your fave Christmas movies, and make your mum's famous shortbread - though admittedly it won't taste quite like hers do but it'll still be fab!

2. BAKING A LA NIGELLA!

Christmas and baking go together hand-in-hand, as people look forward to all those wonderful Christmas goodies that they'll be tucking into on the day: mince pies; yule logs; Christmas cake; roast ham, not to mention a delicious array of cookies. And in the past, baking used to be a fun festive activity in which family members would get together and get stuck in. And while they were elbow-deep in cookie dough, there'd be Christmas tunes playing in the background, and lots of laughter as the family would reminisce and share stories.

This year however, festive baking might not be quite the family social event it was but that doesn't mean it still can't be a fun, relaxing activity. Check out how Natalie from Hampshire, UK bakes to her heart's content:

"I adore Christmas and during the festive season my favourite place to be in is the kitchen - cooking, baking, and making all kinds of amazing seasonal treats that we only get to have once a year. I do love it when friends and family come over and they all pitch in as it's always so much fun. But I also don't mind being alone in the kitchen either. I've always found baking therapeutic - it's what got me through most of this year! I turn on the fairy lights that I have draped around the windows and doors; turn on some jazz classics, and just get lost in my thoughts as I create a whole batch of Christmas goodies... Just like Nigella would!"

3. PANDEMIC-INSPIRED EVENTS

When we think about events and activities we can do during corona times, we tend to think about things we can do while we're at home. But if you're fed up of staring at the same walls, the good news is that there are Covid-friendly events and activities you could participate in. You could drive around town and look at the Christmas lights and decorations that are in your neck of the woods - complete with hot cocoa! If you're lucky enough to live near a drive-in movie theatre, you might be able to catch the showing of some holiday movies. And your local ice-rink, and even ski-resort - if there's one near you - will be open for some socially-distanced fun on ice/in the snow!

Go online to see what Covid-friendly events are available in your local area. You will have to book first so hopefully there will be places available.

4. GET YOUR ZOOM ON!

We know - you're all Zoomed out! But while nothing beats seeing you're loved ones in person, Zoom Skype and other video calling platforms are better than nothing at all. In the pre-pandemic days, not many people bothered to cyber-connect absent friends and family members to their events a la Grammy's (I'm sorry I couldn't be there tonight...) If someone couldn't make an event, they just missed it.

But now family members can just get onto any video conferencing platform and join in the fun. So even though you may not be in the same country, same city, or under the same roof, you can all sing carols together, open your presents at the same time, or get together for a slice of Christmas cake, a glass of mulled wine, and a natter. Although Covid is something we all could have done without - understatement of the year - if there is one good thing to come out of the pandemic, it's that it's normalized more than ever before getting together virtually with absent family and friends. And it's probably an aspect of Covid times that's here to stay.

5. DECK THE HALLS

Nothing screams festive cheer quite like a brightly coloured Christmas decorations and lights. It's a visual reminder that it really 'tis the season and is an instant mood booster. As Eloise in Louisiana, USA says:

"Like a lot of people, I really wasn't feeling Christmas this year. I wasn't interested in getting a tree or decorating the outside of the house. I was also naturally quite disappointed that we wouldn't be able to see our families this year. So I really had no interest in Christmas at all. But my adorable husband, knowing how much I love Christmas, surprised me by putting up Christmas lights in every room. I loved that warm glow that's so reminiscent of this season. It definitely lifted my spirits and made me look forward to Christmas more. I may not be going 'overboard' this year to quote my husband, but I will definitely be embracing a little more of the festive spirit than I thought I would be."

6. MAKE A CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST

Remember those mixtapes we used to make in the nineties? Well as we all know, all that has moved up a notch and now you can make playlists featuring your favourite songs that you can listen to wherever are you with the help of platforms like Spotify and YouTube. Music always makes us feel better, so get yourself in the festive mood by creating a playlist of your favourite Christmas classics that you just have to listen to every Christmas.

7. APPRECIATE ALL THAT'S SEASONAL

Christmas only comes around once a year. Not only that but it comes and goes quicker than pizza at a frat party. So celebrate the festive season and really make the most of it. Watch those classic Christmas movies and TV specials; dance around to those iconic festive pop tunes; indulge in those goodies, and don't be shy about wishing people a merry Christmas from the milkman to the delivery guy to the supermarket cashier... why does no one do that any more?

8. HELP OUT

As we all know, Christmas isn't just about stuffing yourself more than the turkey. It's a time of peace, goodwill and compassion, and that involves helping people out when they need it. Volunteering is a great idea. We may be living in Corona times but there are still organizations - shelters, food banks and refuges for example - that may still need volunteers. Check with your local organization to see if they need any help during this time. You may need to undergo training to in order to comply with current regulations in order to keep everyone safe. Furthermore there are also virtual volunteering opportunities that you can do. Check to see what opportunities are available.

There are also other things you could do: delivering meals; making donations; making masks if you're a dab hand with a sewing machine; calling someone who may be alone this Christmas.

9. IT'S BEGINNING TO SMELL A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

Don't underestimate the power of aroma. Certain scents have the ability to enhance our moods and improve our well-being, making us feel calmer, energized, uplifted etc. and can make us feel less stressed and anxious. And scents that we associate with good times just make us feel better and more optimistic. And who couldn't do with a bit of that right now?

And there are certain scents connected to the festive period that get us feeling all Christmassy! Aromas of cinnamon and ginger remind us of that wonderful tradition of baking with our families; pine conjures up images of decorated and brightly lit Christmas trees; orange and clove make us think of warming mulled wine, while frankincense and myrrh... well you can't get more Christmas than that!

There are many ways you can go about filling your home with these amazing scents: reed diffusers, scented candles, cinnamon scented pine cones, simmer pots, essential oils in an oil burner... or just good old-fashioned baking!

10. GET COSY... OUTDOORS!

Just because we've been told to stay indoors, doesn't mean that we can't make use of an outdoor area if we have access to one - even if it is just a balcony. And don't let the fact that it's a bit nippy stop you from stepping outside and getting some fresh, crisp air. Bundle up, grab your hot chocolate or mulled wine/cider, turn on those outdoor Christmas fairy lights, have some Christmas jazz classics in the background and enjoy. And if you have a fire pit, well now is the time to use it!

Photos: Pixabay

Word cloud and blog graphics: Angel Noire