Big parties are not going to be possible and we have to accept that there will be limitations on what we can do and where we can go, however Christmas is coming, it can’t be stopped, and we may have to be a bit creative about how we celebrate this year.
It may be time to start some new traditions. There are plenty of different ways to spend the day if you can’t do what you usually do – such as volunteering, picnicking, plane spotting, wild swimming, a karaoke party on Zoom or whatever will make your celebration special.
In December we see the celebration of Hanukkah, Pancha Ganapti, Kwanzaa, Christmas and New Year but with large gatherings and firework displays cancelled we should still hold on to the meaning of these celebrations, the more so because we can’t mark them in the way we might have in other years.
Focus on meaning
The Mental Health Foundation have an interesting take on the dilemma and suggest that in years to come, talking about how we celebrated in 2020 may well become one of our most cherished memories, precisely because we were asked to strip back and focus on the meaning of the festivities.
There’s always a slew of holiday films on in the afternoons at this time of year. Watching a movie is the perfect way to spend the time if you are self-isolating, snuggle up with a soft blanket and watch your favourite Christmas movie, whether it’s A Charlie Brown Christmas, Elf, A Christmas Carol or The Nightmare Before Christmas. Don’t forget to throw in snacks or cocktails while you watch because this is celebration in the form of self-care.
If we’re lucky enough to experience a white Christmas there’ll be an opportunity to go sledging, snow tubing, or snowperson building. It’s relatively easy to be socially distanced when playing in the snow and it constitutes fun for the whole family including the dog.
Rehab 4 Addiction is an advisory and referral service for people who suffer from alcohol, drug and behavioural addiction. Rehab 4 Addiction works closely with rehabilitation centres and outpatient clinics throughout the United Kingdom and the admissions team match a patients’ addiction with an appropriately placed rehabilitation centre.
Christmas can be an isolating time for everyone, and it’s okay to prioritize yourself in a time of giving. The Christmas and New Year might seriously affect mental health, the pressure and expectations can be grave, which is why coping strategies are as important as ever. Click here to read their article on ‘Mental Health at Christmas: Some Tips for Coping’.
Carol singing cats for charity
Now I have to get the cat in to the article too, it’s a tradition. So, the best way to protect your Christmas tree from the depredations of your cat is to hang the tree from the ceiling; works best if you have high ceilings! The average cat confronted with an indoor tree will turn into a tiny, feral, furry Godzilla-type monster, and no lights or ornaments will be safe; cats versus Christmas trees is a regular theme on YouTube.
Employers who make an effort to acknowledge and engage their teams in different ways will find themselves on the receiving end of plenty of festive good will. The annual office Christmas party is off the agenda of course and since most of us are working from home a virtual party is a possibility. Dancing is no good on a Zoom call but carol singing, Pictionary, bingo and quizzes should all work well; the glad rags and high heels will likely stay in the wardrobe while the snowman sweater and reindeer deely-boppers win out as occasion-wear for a Covid Christmas party sing-along-a-carol concert.
Time telescopes strangely during lockdown and where in theory many of us should have more time it doesn’t seem to work out that way. That said, giving time is something most of us can do during the holiday and it would be a great idea to offer to support employees who volunteer for local charities, help out at the food bank, or give time to local community causes. Kindness is especially needed this year.
10Eighty wish you a happy, healthy Christmas.
