2021 marks the second year that people will be celebrating Christmas, coinciding with the COVID pandemic. If you haven’t gotten the hang of it yet, we’ve got you covered. From displaying a COVID symbol ornament to prioritizing safety to keep the holiday spirit alive, there are nine tips on preparing for the holidays.
Reflect on what you want and create a plan. Sit down and take the time to reflect on what is your priority for Christmas this year. Whether it’s keeping in touch with loved ones, being able to send out a COVID symbol ornament to them, or doing a charitable act, you have to identify your main goal and create your plan (timeline and budget included) based on it.
Limit those who you will be inviting. In some areas, physical gatherings are now allowed, though the number of people is still limited. If you’re planning to invite outsiders to your home, follow the prescribed number of attendees. You also have to communicate with your guests properly and ensure that none of them are experiencing COVID symptoms.
Make your home safe and implement health protocols. Apart from communicating with your guests, you also have to be meticulous in preparing your home. Install disinfection and sanitation areas throughout your home and put up signs reminding people of the minimum health protocols that they need to follow.
Set the mood with thematic ornaments. You should also spruce up your home with thematic decoration and banners. Today, many COVID symbol ornament pieces are available in the market — and they can even be customized to make things more unique and sentimental.
Encourage attendees to bring their food. As an added safety measure, encourage your guests to bring their food, drinks, and utensils. You can also be resourceful and prepare packed meals so that physical contact and sharing of utensils can be minimized.
Host a virtual gathering. As gatherings are still limited, it’s impossible to have all your relatives and friends over at your home. The key is shifting to virtual celebrations. If you’re the resident host in your circle, be proactive in organizing a video chat party. You can follow a certain theme, dress up for the occasion, and hold online holiday games to keep the mood jovial.
Shop online and have your gifts delivered. Even if you’re not physically together, you can still send your love across by shopping gifts online and having them delivered to their respective recipients. It’s safer and way more cost-effective than going out and shop for presents physically.
Volunteer to help people in need. Especially in these tough times, the spirit of giving is heavily needed. To keep the true spirit of Christmas alive, plan how you can safely reach out to a cause near to your and your family’s heart. You can send out care kits to an orphanage near you or offer free meals to street-dwellers in your area, or donate money to a charity of your choice.
Always check the news for COVID-related updates. COVID cases can lie low at one point then suddenly increase in one instance. This is why experts advise you to be updated about the latest happenings in your area. If cases are high, it’s best to resort to virtual celebrations and simply spend the holidays with you’re with at home.
A COVID symbol ornament is a great memento of the resilience of the human spirit that helps us survive the pandemic. Show someone that you appreciate them with this ornament from Ornaments With Love
