This will be the first Christmas season that we have to celebrate amidst a worldwide pandemic. This holiday season will most likely be more memorable because it’s so different than past years. We just need to find a way to make the best of it. Though we won’t be celebrating the same way we typically do, hopefully I can give you some ideas of how to celebrate in a safer way. (WITHOUT ZOOMING!!)
Before you have too much fun, here is what the Center for Disease Control (CDC) says to watch out for before gathering with people outside of your household this holiday season.
- Levels of COVID-19 within your community.
- Exposure during travel
- Location and duration of gathering
- Number and crowding of people at gathering
- Behaviors of people prior to gathering
- Behaviors of people during gathering
All of these factors will affect the likelihood of transmitting the virus, as I’m sure you’re all aware. Now that we got that out of the way, here’s some fun activities that you’ll be able to do safely this season.
- One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is (of course) the food. As an alternative to cooking together, families can share recipes ahead of time, so everyone is able to eat the same dish despite being in different houses. Go ahead and ask your Grandma for her irresistible dinner roll recipe!
- Another thing I enjoy during the Christmas season is driving around town at night with my family and looking at other houses’ holiday decorations. (Don’t forget the hot cocoa!)
- One noteworthy house in Goshen is the Longacre’s house, at 1713 S 13th St. Goshen, IN.
- Another house you don’t want to miss is the Nisley’s house right across the street from Bethany!
- Depending on the amount of snow, head out to the slopes and try skiing or snowboarding! Even if you’ve never tried these before, it is a really fun way to enjoy the outdoors, while safely being able to visit with friends and family from other households!
- Take advantage of some Covid-safe activities that have been organized by your city or of those nearby! Some cities are putting together drive-in movie theaters to screen holiday movies, or other social-distancing-friendly events. In Shipshewana, Bluegate Performing Arts center is hosting “Lights of Joy,” a 2,000,000 light holiday drive through! There will be a winding course of holiday light scenes for over a mile! The cost is $15 per vehicle on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and will be $20 per vehicle on Fridays and Saturdays. Click this link to check out more info!
- Host a craft competition! Invite as many different households as you want! Those involved can all get ginger-bread houses and compete to decorate the best one! Everyone can vote on who built the best house. For instructions and to share your pictures, check out this google slide and share it with your family! (E-mail your best or most interesting pictures of your gingerbread houses to shenkaaron@bethanycs.net to get featured!)
Although this holiday season will be very different from what we all expected, we hope everyone can make the best of what we are able to do. Stay safe and wear a mask!
—Sightline—