BY: ASHLEY BIUNDO
Editor-In-Chief
The holiday season can be a stressful time, whether you’re trying to find the perfect gift for family and friends, getting ready to celebrate, putting up lights, baking or lighting candles.
This year is a little different and may be even more stressful during a pandemic. But, you can still keep the traditions alive. Here are some things you can do during the holidays while staying safe.
Celebrate with family and friends virtually.
According to April Wilson, MD, MPH, FACPM, preventive medicine specialist and Loma Linda University School of Medicine department chair,“Consider hosting a celebration virtually through online meeting or phone video platforms. You can even prepare food for family and friends and deliver it without person-to-person contact before the party. Not able to cook and deliver? Wilson suggests an alternative of ordering food from your family’s favorite restaurant and having it delivered.”
There’s ZOOM, Houseparty app (although, that is a limit on the amount of people in one party) and many more apps and websites you can choose.
Celebrate with a small gathering of people
Follow CDC guidelines to keep the risks of COVID-19 at a low. Celebrate with a small gathering of less than 10 people. Some may choose to quarantine before the festivities to keep the risk low, especially if they are asymptomatic.
Go to events
There are still holiday events going on with strict guidelines. The St. Louis Zoo has their “Wild Lights” display every night from 5-8:30pm until Jan. 2. Tickets are required and can be purchased online. Masks are required also.
There are also drive-thru holiday lights events in places all around town, like Grant’s Farm for example.
Find new hobbies and holidays to celebrate
COVID-19 has stressed people out, but doesn’t mean you still can’t have fun. Find new things to do and celebrate. Take up baking and bake new treats. There are websites and apps you can use to find new ways to cook. Do experiments.
There are also other virtual ways to celebrate the holidays. Healthline suggests, “For those with kids who will miss getting to see Santa, check out JingleRing.com which allows you to schedule a live or prerecorded virtual call with Ol’ St. Nick. Honestly, it’s kind of better than waiting in line to sit on a random guy’s lap anyway.”
Also check out this website to find fun, lesser known holidays to celebrate, www.timeanddate.com/holidays. For example, Dec. 12 is Gingerbread House Day, so it may be a fun idea to have a virtual GingerbreadHouse making contest with family and friends.
The most important thing, above all else, is to stay positive. We will get through this.
