Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat,
Please to put a penny in an old man’s hat;
If you haven’t got a penny a ha’penny will do,
If you haven’t got a ha’penny, God bless you.
Just about all of us have sung that and this year it is unclear whether we will be doing so with the same zest as in previous years.
Christmas And COVID-19
Two unlikely partners that almost all of us never imagined would be together. It is like that odd couple, that mismatched partnership down the road. Those were the people you never imagined coming together, not even in 100 years.
Well, here we are, just over 100 years since the last global pandemic, The Spanish Flu, and a marriage is about to commence. Christmas and COVID-19 Pandemic!
There is little point now continuing the debate how did this happen. Even further less point casting blame. We are long past that. The challenge at hand is how do we get to the other side, how do we at least minimally enjoy “the wedding buffet” in isolation?
Ideas For Christmas 2020
Public Health officials all around the world are strongly advising us to keep our distance – even from our most cherished ones. If you do not constantly live in the same household, then stay home!
What kind of holidays will that be? Christmas is the time that we come together, not stay apart. It is much like Thanksgiving when people travel hundreds, even thousands of miles to be with their loved ones.
Whatever are we going to do?
Scoured the Internet and found many suggestions, as well as do’s and don’ts for this holiday. Here are a few.
Gifts are a big part of this holiday, so here is a suggestion when it comes to that from Greta Bauer, an epidemiology professor at Western University in London, Ontario.
- “With Christmas presents, a lot of people buy and wrap their presents in advance so that would mean that for the gifts that are contained in that package, there is functionally no risk of transmission if it was wrapped a week or more in advance of being delivered. Bauer added that this is ‘good incentive’ for holiday shoppers to stay organized this year so they can buy presents early and immediately wrap them.” CTV News
Take It Outdoors
Recently, one of our Directors, Clara Brown, posted on her Facebook timeline that she is doing her decorations outside this year. I jokingly commented, “Outside keeping this year?!” That is exactly where it is at this Christmas – outside – even if it’s just your immediate family members in attendance. Read an article about planning for the holiday celebrations this year. Although the specific reference was about those of us living in cold countries, it goes for everyone everywhere.
- “While last year’s to-do list was all about decorating the front yard, this year’s Christmas to-do list is about winterizing the backyard. If you’re planning to host outdoors, investing in the right equipment will go a long way to keep your friend and family comfortable. Keep warm with an outdoor tent, wearable blankets, hot hands, a fire pit, and outdoor heaters. Place blankets on each seat for guests, set up string lights or set out pillar candles to add a dose of hygge.” Paperless Post
What About Christmas Office Parties?
The highlight and the reward the most employees live for – the annual Christmas parties. But wait, they are cancelled due to COVID-19?
No, not all and not necessarily. Here is what Ian Westbrook of the BBC News suggests:
- “This year’s work celebrations seem certain to take place on Zoom and other online platforms. Rules on big groups meeting up in pubs or anywhere outdoors are very unlikely to be eased in December, so seeing friends for a pre-Christmas drink or meal will probably not be allowed.” BBC News
The Pandemic That Stole Christmas
Actually, it does not have to be that way. Christmas does not have to be cancelled. Just scaled-down, more intimate and, most likely, less expensive!
According to Deloitte Canada’s annual holiday retail spending survey, which polled 1,000 Canadians in September, respondents said they expected to spend an average of $1,405 during the holidays — down 18 per cent from the previous year. CBC News
Take heart and let us keep positive that things will start turning around by summer 2021. The bright side is that we all might have a bit more cash to take the trips that we have not been able to since March 2020.
Read this article and plan more ways to have a good if not great, based on our usual standards, holidays! None of them includes using Zoom.
You can stay in touch with us through our social media profiles. We are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We too will be hosting a couple of Live Events via Zoom. Maybe you want to join us or watch the recording.
Peace and Love,
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