Fun ways to get in the spirit this year.
This year’s holiday movie re-make stars COVID-19 as the Grinch, in “How the Virus Stole Christmas”. While our hearts may feel broken over the loss of community traditions and the pandemic-instigated hurdles and roadblocks to holiday gatherings with family and friends, let us not be broken.
While some may be consumed by these circumstances that are outside of our control, that’s not you, my friend… YOU are a LUXYMOM®! YOU create beauty and magic, and this is your time to sparkle and shine! Therefore, let us capitalize on the insanity that has been 2020 and end this wild and crazy year with a bang! Here are a couple of ways in which you can shake things up this holiday season:
Go Old School.
As wonderful as the Christmas cards donned with the annual family photo are, there is something uniquely special about receiving a handwritten note via snail mail. Letter writing is a lost art, in my opinion, and is sure to warm any recipient’s heart.
Send Care Packages.
Give a loved one a sense-sational Christmas by preparing a care package with items that excite each of the senses, i.e. a holiday-scented candle for scent; a framed photo from a Christmas passed for site; a soft, cozy pair of socks for touch; a yummy holiday treat for taste; and a holiday music album for sound.
This may be a particularly special gift for loved ones who are in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or hospitalized during this time. Please be sure to check with each facility in advance to learn of any restrictions that may exist so that your efforts aren’t futile.
Remote Advent.
Coordinate a virtual Advent calendar among cousins, friends, and other family members. Each participating group creates daily Advent activities for the other and shares them via email. The activities can be scheduled daily or weekly, whichever is most manageable for those involved.
The participants are to open the emailed Advent message, complete the activity, and then connect with other participants throughout the month via email, text, phone call, or video chat. Once again, Pinterest comes to the rescue with a plethora of suggested activities at your disposal. This may also be a great opportunity to incorporate the random acts of kindness suggested above.
Chalk Your Walk.
Write kind, inspirational messages and draw holiday-themed pictures on your neighborhood sidewalks with chalk to spread some cheer. *Be sure to check with your HOA in advance to ensure this doesn’t violate any rules or codes.
Neighborhood Drive-By Caroling.
Pile into the car or load up the truck, grab your kids’ karaoke equipment or just blast your car stereo, and drive around your neighborhood singing your favorite carols at the top of your lungs!
Complete a Holiday Bucket List.
Download, print, and complete the Holiday Bucket List available on Enjoying The Small Things, a blog created by New York Times Best-Selling author, mama extraordinaire, and treasured friend, Kelle Hampton. She is pure magic – I don’t know how else to describe her – and her blog serves as a one-stop-idea-shop for those longing to transform the nostalgia of a quintessential childhood into a modern-day experience for their children. Enjoy and you’re welcome.
Christmas Lights Tour.
Grab a thermos of hot cocoa, blast the A/C in your car, get those holiday tunes rockin’, and do a Christmas lights driving tour.
Cul-De-Sac Drive-In Movie.
Secure a blow-up screen, choose a classic holiday flick, invite the neighbors to join you 6 feet away in all directions, and hire the Scoops Ice Cream and Acai Bowls’ mobile cart (or something similar wherever you’re located) to provide the goodies… BOOM! Holiday memory making at its finest!
X(mas) Games.
These X(mas) Games are sure to be a winner, whether held virtually, socially-distanced, or in an intimate setting.
Step1: Establish teams and rules based on who is playing and the platform by which you will be competing.
Step 2: Choose which Minute to Win It games you will be playing. Consider the ages and abilities of the participants when making your selections. Once again, Pinterest is our MVP, as there are countless Minute to Win It game ideas available for your review, even those that are holiday specific.
Step 3: Depending on how you are hosting your competition, it may be necessary for you to send out a list of the games that will be played, their descriptions, and the required materials a week prior to allow each team to adequately prepare.
Step 4: Game on! What a great way to make some memories, get some laughs, and enjoy quality time together, even if you can’t be in the same house.
As part of our beloved LUXYMOM® community, we would LOVE for you to share all that you do to make this COVID Christmas merry and bright by tagging us @luxymomofficial on your social media and using #LUXYMOM.