Home for the Holidays: Preparing for a Socially-Distant Holiday Season

With a second lockdown in place, and many traditional events being cancelled across the country, one thing’s for sure — this year, Winter isn’t going to be the same. Whether you were buzzing for bonfire night or counting down the days until Christmas, not all hope is lost. Just because you can’t get crushed at Winter Wonderland or sit around a table with your family over Hanukkah, it doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate.

But, after staying in for the majority of the year whilst social distancing and working from home, the idea of being in for the holidays seems a bit rubbish, doesn’t it? Although things are going to be a little different this year, they don’t need to be as grim as you’re expecting. Here’s a few tips on how to make the most your Winter lockdown.

Treat Yo’self

Sure, most of your old holiday celebrations might have included going out, seeing people, and enjoying your time with others. Of course you can’t do that now, but it doesn’t mean you can’t splash the cash a little bit.

Usually at this time of year, you’d say ‘screw it’ and order an Uber to work, buy an overpriced festive sandwich from Pret everyday, and would probably end up spending too much at Winter Wonderland (even though you probably didn’t want to go). This year, without anywhere to go while WFH, no Pret right outside your office, or any disappointing hot dogs to eat in Hyde Park, you’re probably saving money without even realising it. So, instead of having a typical Christmas, why not spend a little extra and treat yourself?

Of course, you shouldn’t spend outside your budget, but if you’ve got a little wiggle room, splash out and plan a New Years Eve party for you and your housemates, or plan the festive meal to end all festive meals. Although we’re in lockdown and probably feeling a little isolated, celebrating these moments are even more essential than ever. So, instead of dreading the day, give yourself something to look forward to and treat yourself — because. God, it’s been a bad year hasn’t it?

‘Is that Sleigh bells?’ “No, it’s my phone!”

Because of social distancing, a lot of our traditional end-of-year celebrations will be cancelled. Whether you’re devastated about not being able to go and see your family or are secretly glad the office party is cancelled, it doesn’t mean you can’t keep in contact with people over the festive season.

It might have been the Chinese year of the rat, but 2020 has been the year of the Zoom too. Make the most of any technology you’ve downloaded in lockdown and use it. Call your grandma on Christmas morning, have your festive meal with your family over FaceTime, or drunkenly text your friends group chat on New Year’s Eve.

If your traditions are a bit more hands on, you can still utilise technology and celebrate at a distance. If you love playing Yahtzee with your family, why not play it online with them. Watch It’s a Wonderful Life every Christmas eve with your family? Don’t let the pandemic stop you — watch it together online with Teleparty. Whatever it is you usually do together, do it together virtually.

Also, why not go old school and write physical cards for people this festive season. Sure, the tradition has been a bit dead for the last few years, but keeping in contact is more important than ever before. Send your loved ones a card, a physical reminder of how much you mean to them.

Out with the old and in with the new

The best thing about social distancing is that anything you hated to do before, you actually can’t do. Ok, so this doesn’t work for everything (we all still need to take the bins out no matter how feral they are), but most things you hated to do in your old life, you’re now not socially required to do them.

Don’t want to visit your estranged family who you only ever see over the holidays? Unfortunately, you can’t because of Tier 4 restrictions, so a crappy card will have to do. Bit sick of spending bonfire night out with friends in a field, covered in mud and wishing you were in bed? What a shame, they’ve all been cancelled, so you’re just going to have to stay in …

Take this opportunity to embrace the traditions you love and forget about the ones you hate. Of course, as previously discussed, you might have to do them a little differently if they involve people who aren’t in your bubble, but still take the time to do them and get yourself in the festive mood. Similarly, pick up some new, home based traditions or try something new. For example, over Hanukkah, why not try and bake your own Potato Latkes (instead of eating your Auntie’s awful ones). On bonfire night, if you’re lucky enough to have your own garden, why not have your own display and make you and your roommates some nice treats. Or, over Christmas, you could go on a walk through your local area and look at the lights neighbours have put up.

This festive period, do whatever you’d like, but make sure you do celebrate in whatever way you wish!

Look after your ‘elf

And like every holiday season, just because you’re socially distancing it doesn’t mean you don’t need to give yourself some time to relax. 2020 has been a lot, so give yourself time to chill out, unwind, and look after your mental health.

Make sure however you’re celebrating this holiday season, you’re regularly checking in with yourself. Make sure you aren’t burning yourself out, or if you do go a bit wild, to give yourself the time after to recover. Just because it’s the holidays and things are different, it doesn’t mean you need to tire yourself out in the process.

Embrace the change that’s been forced upon you, but don’t stress yourself out as you try to hit unattainable holiday ideals. Right now, the world is weird. As people begin to celebrate, make sure you remember that however you decide to do the holiday season, you’re doing your best. Find what works for you and your loved ones.

Written by Alison Irlam
Alison is a writer with a keen interest in mental health and wellbeing. Since finishing a postgraduate degree in creative writing and having her own experiences with mental health, she has dedicated her time to helping and empowering others to make positive changes in their own lives.