Home for the Holidays

As the holidays roll in and we inch closer to our upcoming break, the reality of our situation has grown more apparent and yet, more unbelievable. Somehow the days we’ve spent yearning for a sense of “normalcy” have accumulated to nearly nine months; time feels nonexistent, and I think we can all agree – this year has been hard, to say the least.

The holidays are seen as a period of reflection––a time to look back on the year and wrap yourself in moments with those you love. However, the pandemic has built some very elaborate barriers to blockade us from continuing these traditions. Maybe you can’t see your cousins on Christmas Eve or exchange gifts with your friends over a piping hot pizza. Maybe you can no longer ring in the New Year with both of your parents or light the menorah or kinara with your grandparents. Or maybe this holiday season feels no different from the rest because you’re simply used to staying in. Either way, we’re literally home for the holidays, and after the year we’ve had, we all deserve a little celebration. Whatever you’re celebrating, whether it be the holidays, a two-week break from work/school, here are some ways you can embrace the spirit of togetherness, wherever you may be.

• Virtual gingerbread house contest

• Virtual paint night

• Virtual holiday movie marathon (Software: Zoom, Gaze, Netflix Party Chrome extension)

• Secret Santa virtual card exchange

• Virtual ugly sweater contest

• Virtual bake off

If the holidays are too much for you, here are some self-care activities you can do by yourself, to celebrate you and all your resiliency.

• Tap into your artistic abilities and create!

• Start journaling

• Watch your favorite holiday movies

• Bake your favorite holiday treats

• Read a book...for fun!

• Listen to your favorite music

Use these two weeks to catch up on some much-needed rest, to spend time with your loved ones, and to let go of your stress! Grab a blanket, make some hot cocoa, and turn on one of those 12-hour loops of a burning fireplace crackling because we’re...home for the holidays.