Extension for Real Life

Tips for a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season

Looking for the top gift to give your loved ones this holiday season? Here’s an idea: a COVID-free celebration! The holidays are normally a time when we open our homes to friends and family and celebrate together. The spread of COVID-19 has caused us all to reimagine the way we enjoy the holidays. 

Just how do you celebrate this time of year, while limiting the spread of COVID-19?? It’s not an easy answer, but here are a few tips to help your holidays be as safe and festive as possible. Please note, this information is based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of Dec. 3, 2020.

1. Limit traveling. As we all know, the holiday season is when people travel the most to visit with extended family and friends. Traveling may increase your chances of spreading the virus to loved ones. Instead, consider staying home for the holidays. If you do travel, make a valiant effort to wear a mask at all times, stay six feet away from others, and frequently wash and sanitize hands. 
2. Carefully consider your gatherings. Large, traditional holiday gatherings have the potential to greatly contribute to the spread of COVID-19. Things start to get risky when you mix several people together who do not live in your immediate household. If you do have people over to your home, create and share a set of guidelines and expectations to follow during the visit. Consider limiting the number of people in attendance, wear masks when not eating or drinking, spread out, and host gatherings outdoors if possible. If you have to host indoors, open doors and windows to improve ventilation. 
3. Keep the spirit alive. While COVID-19 may seems like the Grinch that Stole Christmas, it doesn’t have to “stink, stank, stunk.” Keep the holiday magic alive by having fun activities for your family to enjoy. Ride around town to look at Christmas lights, have a game night, watch holiday movies and TV shows, cook your favorite meals together, or decorate gingerbread houses. Don’t forget to give back to others! Drop off meals and goodies on loved ones’ front porches. Maybe even sing a Christmas carol or two from a safe distance. 

One of my favorite Christmases was when my family decided to skip out on extended relative festivities and spend the day with our immediate family. We did our traditional Christmas activities and then spent the rest of the night playing games. Looking back on it, I’m grateful we kept it small. I’ll always treasure the laughs and quality time we spent together. You might even create some new family traditions!

This holiday season, we all have the opportunity to do the same: limit our gatherings to our immediate families and create fun memories, all while helping limit the spread of COVID-19. Let’s all follow the recommended CDC guidelines this time of year. It’s hard not being around family and friends but remember the best gift you can give your loved ones is a COVID-free holiday season.

Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy holiday season!